How to Help a Teenager through a Traumatic Event
If your teen has experienced a traumatic event, he will need your help and support. Learn how to help a teenager cope.
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Instructions
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Recognizing that teenagers have special needs during or after a traumatic event can be a difficult task. Teenagers are young adults and will often shut down, making it difficult to reach out to them. By being persistent without forcing them to open up, you can provide them with much needed help during the traumatic event.
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Be open to listen, but do not force the teenager to talk. If you back off after your child refuses to talk the first time, you are giving up. The child may need time or simply doesn't feel like talking at the moment you approach her. By continually assuring your teen that you are there to listen, you can provide multiple opportunities for the child. Listen, do not lecture, so your child will feel comfortable.
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Encourage your teenager to discuss the event with peers. At this age, most teenagers feel more comfortable relating to their friends or peers. By providing opportunities for your child to get together with friends or participate in events, you can help her to open up.
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Provide the opportunity for your child to help out with the traumatic event. If it is a personal, family trauma, offer the teen ways to help the situation. If it is a broader event, seek out teenage groups that are involved in the recovery process and see if the teen wants to become involved. Giving the child the power to do something about the very thing they feel they have no control over is a strong liberator.
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Tips & Warnings
If your teen exhibits severe behavioral changes or does not respond to your assistance, seek professional help.
Allowing your teenager to get out of the house and resume normal activity can be the best thing.
Allowing the teenager to withdraw can have devastating results.
Remember that a teenager is not yet an adult, and still needs your guidance and support.
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
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Comments
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Thims
Nov 15, 2008
What about my teenagers helping ME get through a traumatic event which I have to endure every single day, because well, their teenagers! ;-) All you parents know exactly where I coming from! Good solid advice. -
Felicity
Oct 18, 2008
This can be so hard... there are some good first steps offered here - it's a journey we pretty much have to live through on our instincts and love and it's nice to have a little guidance. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.
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rosie96778
Oct 11, 2008
Very good advice as a parent I pray that my family would be able to cope with such an event. Thank you for this article it is very informative.
