Author: VISIONS

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Addiction Teen Behavior

10 Signs Your Teen May Be Addicted to Social Media  

Common signs that a teen may be addicted to social media include spending excessive time online, becoming anxious or irritable when unable to access social media, neglecting schoolwork, withdrawing from in-person activities, and experiencing sleep disturbances. Additional indicators include a constant need for validation through likes and comments and a preoccupation with checking updates that interferes with regular life. 

 

Seeing your teen constantly glued to their phone can be worrying, especially when it starts affecting their offline life.

Today’s digital natives exist both online and offline, and an online social life is as important as an offline one. But losing that balance can be detrimental to teen mental health, and especially younger teens are susceptible to experiencing a deficit in social skills because of excessive social media use.  

Becoming irritable without access to social media, becoming increasingly anxious in real-life situations, experiencing loneliness, body image issues, and neglecting responsibilities to spend more time online are just a few indicators of a growing problem.

This article explores some common signs your teen may be addicted to social media. 

 

What is Social Media Addiction? 

Behavioral addictions are learned cycles of behavior that significantly interfere with daily life.

Some activities can be particularly enjoyable or pleasurable—it feels good to receive likes on a picture you’ve posted, for example. But these activities can become harmful if they preoccupy most of a person’s day-to-day life.  

Other examples of a behavioral addiction include a gambling addiction, sex addiction, or porn addiction.

In the same way, a social media addiction can negatively impact a teen’s offline social life, their relationships with friends and family, their grades, and their mental health.  

 

Signs Your Teen May Be Addicted to Social Media 

Teens can become addicted to social media due to its constant accessibility and the instant gratification brought by engagement, which can range from likes and comments to conversation strings on Twitter/X, arguments on Reddit, or forum debates. 

The need for social validation and fear of missing out (FOMO) on what’s happening online can drive excessive usage, often leading to neglect of real-world activities and relationships.

Here are some common signs your teen may be addicted to social media: 

Emotional Signs of Social Media Addiction 

  • Anxiety: Feeling anxious or irritable when unable to access social media or when social media use is restricted. 
  • Dependence: Becoming overly reliant on social media to cope with negative emotions or turning to social media as an immediate response to stress, confrontation, or anxious situations.  
  • Compulsion: Constantly thinking about or planning the next social media post and feeling preoccupied with checking notifications and updates, often multiple times per hour, every waking hour.  

Behavioral Signs of Social Media Addiction 

  • Excessive Use: Excessive use includes using a phone to check social media at inappropriate moments, such as in the middle of a conversation, during class, or when they should be resting or sleeping.    
  • Neglect: Neglecting schoolwork, chores, or even personal hygiene due to excessive time spent on social media.  
  • Isolation: Preferring online interactions over face-to-face interactions with family and friends, leading to social withdrawal and feelings of social anxiety (worrying about interactions with others).  
  • Risk-Taking: Engaging in risky behaviors online, such as sharing personal information, meeting strangers, or participating in cyberbullying or online challenges for likes, engagement, and attention.  

Physical Signs of Social Media Addiction 

  • Eyestrain: Spending long hours staring at screens can lead to symptoms like dry eyes, headaches, and general fatigue.  
  • Sleep Problems: Disrupted sleep patterns, often caused by using social media late into the night or early morning, can affect mood, growth, and mental development. Poor sleep due to social media or phone use is a serious symptom.  
  • Body Image Problems and Eating Disorders: Excessive social media use, as well as a poor or unhealthy relationship to social media can result in problems with self-esteem, higher likelihood of body image issues, and a higher incidence of disordered eating and problematic behavior to conform to popular beauty trends or (often faked) standards.  

Impact on Academic and Social Life 

A social media addiction can significantly impact a teen’s academic and social life.

Behavioral addictions steal time away from everything, including everyday conversations, time spent studying, and the chance to be mindful in the absence of instant gratification and mental stimulation. Excessive time spent on social media can lead to missed deadlines, poor test scores, and lower academic performance.  

Socially, addiction to social media may result in reduced face-to-face interactions, withdrawal from real-life social activities, and difficulties in forming and maintaining meaningful relationships offline. This can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness, further affecting their overall well-being and making teens more susceptible to self-esteem problems, body image issues, and social media-related symptoms of anxiety and depression.  

Not all teens who struggle with social media addiction or internet addiction become socially withdrawn.

Extroverted teens can also struggle with a social media addiction or a greater need for validation from strangers online.  

 

Steps to Address Social Media Addiction 

A behavioral addiction, like a social media addiction, is often part of a larger problem with a teen’s coping styles and capacity to manage stress.

Some teens are more likely to struggle with an addiction to social media than others and are more likely to experience negative effects due to excessive social media use, such as worse self-esteem and feelings of anxiety when offline.  

Addressing a social media addiction might begin with helping teens find alternative ways to cope with their negative thoughts and feelings, and find other, better habits to improve their mental resilience, self-esteem, and self-image.  

In extreme cases – where social media addiction is part of a teen’s wider list of problems, such as severe anxiety, eating disorders, or suicidality – professional mental health treatment becomes crucial. Residential treatment gives teens a safe space to recover from social media use and learn to cope with negative emotions in different, healthier ways while reintroducing smartphone usage in a limited capacity.  

 

Treatment for Teens in California 

Are you worried about your teen’s behavior and social media consumption?

Visions Treatment Centers specializes in residential care for teen mental health and addiction issues, including behavioral addiction. Our experienced team provides personalized care, ensuring teens receive their needed support.

Take the first step towards recovery and contact Visions Treatment Centers today. 

 

Conclusion 

For teens today, an online social life is as important as an offline one.

But sacrificing a healthy social life and fulfilling interpersonal relationships for likes, comments, and engagement online is a strong sign of a serious behavioral addiction toward social media.

It’s important to recognize the signs of social media addiction and help teens find better ways to validate themselves and seek personal fulfillment.  

Categories
Treatment

What to Bring to Residential Treatment

Residential treatment programs can last multiple weeks, sometimes over a month. When preparing for residential treatment for teens, pack comfortable clothing, personal hygiene items, prescribed medications, and any required documentation. Include comfort items like a favorite book. Consider the facility’s guidelines and avoid restricted items. It’s important to contact the treatment center for a comprehensive packing list. 

 

Packing for residential treatment can be a serious challenge, especially with so many restrictions and guidelines. It’s easy and normal to worry about forgetting essentials or bringing prohibited items. Your best bet is to start with a list—go over your items over multiple days, adding to and subtracting from the list as you prepare for treatment. This article explores what to bring to residential treatment. 

 

What is Residential Treatment? 

Residential treatment programs involve getting treated at a live-in facility, often with a more homely aesthetic than your typical outpatient clinic or psychiatric hospital. Residential treatment programs usually run for at least a few weeks, offering a structured environment where teens receive 24/7 care and supervision, including individual and group talk therapy, medication management, and holistic or alternative treatments.  

Residential treatment facilities help teens address severe mental health issues, including suicidal ideation and substance use. Constant supervision and a daily schedule centered around individual and group therapy can help teens improve their symptoms and develop healthier coping skills for their long-term mental and physical well-being.  

 

What to Bring to Residential Treatment 

If it’s your teen’s first time in a residential treatment facility, then they’re likely nervous. However, bringing the right items can ease the transition. Including the essentials, like comfortable clothing, personal hygiene products, and any prescribed medications, is important.  

But there are a lot of other things parents and teens should make sure to think of. Here’s what to bring to residential treatment. 

Essential Personal Items 

When preparing for residential treatment, it’s important to pack essential personal items to ensure comfort and meet daily needs. Here is a list of essential personal items to pack: 

Clothes 

  • Comfortable everyday wear 
  • Sleepwear 
  • Undergarments and socks 
  • Sweaters or jackets for colder weather 
  • Athletic wear for physical activities 

Footwear 

  • Comfortable shoes 
  • Slippers 
  • Athletic shoes 
  • Hiking boots 

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste 
  • Mouthwash (alcohol-free) 
  • Shampoo and conditioner 
  • Body wash or soap 
  • Deodorant 
  • Hairbrush or comb 
  • Feminine hygiene products (if applicable) 
  • Skincare products 

Medications 

  • Prescription medications with proper labeling 
  • Over-the-counter medications (as allowed by the facility) 

Other Personal Care Items 

  • Towels and washcloths 
  • Nail clippers 
  • Personalized water bottle 
  • A small amount of money (if allowed) 
  • Contact lenses or glasses 

Documentation and Important Papers 

In addition to what your teen might need for their stay in terms of toiletries, clothes, or personal items, there are a few things they should always have on their person during their stay for legal and insurance reasons: 

  • Identification card 
  • Insurance card 
  • Insurance information 
  • List of emergency contacts 
  • Prescriptions 

Comfort Items 

Comfort items encompass many different things, but it’s important to note that most recovery centers and residential treatment clinics prohibit recreational items, toys, sporting equipment, playing cards, or even Internet-capable devices such as smartphones.  

Video game consoles, such as handhelds – from an old Gameboy to newer devices – are generally also prohibited. Some facilities don’t let teens bring music players or cameras either. Aside from these items, teens might want to consider any of the following as a reminder of home:  

  • Pillow, blanket, or stuffed toy 
  • Photos of family and friends 
  • Journal or notebook 
  • Books or magazines 

Preparation Tips 

Packing the essentials and making room for a few comfort items is just one step in the long preparation process for your teen’s residential treatment. Here are a few more things you should keep in mind:  

Go over the program together. What does residential treatment at your chosen facility entail? Go over the program with your teen and note any questions they might have.  

Discuss your goals for this treatment process. Setting a vague goal, such as simply getting better, can be difficult to quantify throughout treatment. Consider talking to your teen about emotional or behavioral milestones that they want to hit, such as staying sober for a certain amount of time, picking up a new or old hobby, or making a new friend. Celebrate each milestone as it comes around during and after treatment.  

Prepare emotionally. Residential treatment can last several weeks, which means spending several weeks away from home. It can also be daunting for teens to head into residential treatment without really knowing what’s coming. Ensure your teen gets to ask as many questions as possible about the treatment process to put their mind at ease.  

Think positively about the process and turn your anxieties into hope. Treatment outcomes—not just for mental health conditions but also for physical health problems—are often affected by a person’s mindset going into treatment. While it’s easier said than done, consider focusing on the positive aspects of going into a residential treatment program and finding things to be excited about, whether it’s cool amenities or an interesting new therapy approach.  

 

Teen Residential Treatment 

Has your teen been having a difficult time recently? It can be difficult to watch a loved one struggle, especially when there is no straightforward solution to their problem.  

Visions Treatment Centers in California offers a nurturing and structured environment where teens receive personalized care from experienced professionals.  

Our residential treatment options help teens recognize and address harmful thinking or behavior through therapy, medication, and evidence-based treatment modalities while providing a roadmap for post-treatment support and long-term recovery. Contact Visions Treatment Centers today to learn how we can help your teen achieve lasting well-being. 

 

Conclusion 

It’s important to be prepared for your stay at a residential facility. Residential treatment programs can last upwards of a month, and being comfortable in your new space is a crucial part of the treatment and recovery process. Unsure of what to bring to residential treatment? Contact us at Visions today to learn more about our list of recommended and prohibited items.  

Categories
Parent's Guides Parenting Treatment

The Parent’s Guide to Outpatient vs Inpatient Rehab for Teens  

A group meeting of young people to discuss their common issues and experiences during a support meeting

Outpatient rehab allows teens to receive treatment while living at home by attending treatment sessions multiple times a week. Inpatient requires teens to live at the facility, with 24/7 supervision and a structured environment. Inpatient programs are more intensive and suitable for severe behavioral health issues, while outpatient programs offer flexibility for those with strong support systems at home. 

 

Does your teen need an inpatient rehab program, or are they best served with an intensive outpatient treatment plan? Choosing between an inpatient and an outpatient plan can be difficult. When it comes to healthcare, it’s always a good idea to heed a professional’s opinion.  

Psychiatrists and doctors tend to refer teens to inpatient programs if they require the structure and supervision that inpatient rehab offers, especially in cases of long-term drug use or comorbidity.  

Outpatient programs are excellent for teens transitioning out of an inpatient residential treatment plan into day-to-day life afterward. They can also help teens who might have been in treatment before but experienced a relapse or feel that they need more support outside of their friends and family. This article provides an overview of outpatient vs inpatient rehab so you know what to expect. 

 

Understanding Rehabilitation Options 

In the context of substance use disorders, rehab usually refers to a long-term treatment program that primarily focuses on isolating someone from an environment where they can acquire drugs and then addressing the mental and physical health problems surrounding substance abuse, such as withdrawal symptoms, malnutrition, anxiety, depression, and other comorbid mental, behavioral, and physical health problems.  

When people think of rehab, most think of inpatient treatment. Inpatient programs refer individuals to a live-in clinic or facility, usually a hospital or a residential setting. During their stay in an inpatient facility, teens receive individualized care, including different forms of talk therapy, medication management, alternative treatments such as yoga classes or acupuncture, skill-building classes, and post-treatment support.  

Partial hospitalization is a step down from an inpatient program. During a partial hospitalization program, teens are required to attend hours-long intensive treatment most days of the week while going back home at the end of each day. Partial hospitalization programs are short but intense and are often designed to help teens transition out of or stay out of inpatient treatment. 

Intensive outpatient programs are one step below partial hospitalization, involving shorter treatments and fewer days. IOPs can still take the better part of half a teen’s time every week – up to 30 hours, most of the time – but teens generally aren’t required to attend treatment nearly every day of the week. Intensive outpatient programs help teens with substance use disorders and comorbidities, as well as teens struggling with severe symptoms of depression or anxiety.  

Non-intensive outpatient programs range anywhere from a single treatment session a week to up to six hours of treatment every seven days.  

 

Outpatient vs Inpatient Rehab for Teens 

Choosing between outpatient and inpatient rehab for teens depends on the severity of their condition and the level of support they need.  

Inpatient rehab offers intensive, around-the-clock care, while outpatient rehab provides flexibility and allows teens to continue their daily routines. Here’s what parents need to know when comparing outpatient vs inpatient rehab for teens. 

Differences Between Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab 

Teens with a history of recent suicidality or extreme drug use are more likely to benefit from an inpatient treatment plan, where their physical and mental health can be monitored by professionals around the clock and addressed comprehensively through a holistic, interdisciplinary approach.  

Outpatient programs are better suited to teens with milder symptoms and a strong support system at home but who may still need regularly scheduled treatment for a period.  

Benefits of Outpatient Rehab 

Outpatient rehab offers numerous benefits for teens seeking treatment for mental health or substance use issues. Outpatient rehab programs allow teens to receive professional support and therapy while maintaining their daily routines and staying connected with family and friends.  

For teens with an established routine and a strong support system, maintaining this continuity can enhance the therapeutic process by providing real-world opportunities to apply new skills and coping strategies.  

Furthermore, outpatient programs are often more affordable than inpatient options, making them accessible for more families. They also offer flexibility, with various levels of care, while giving teens the chance to continue to attend school, participate in extracurricular activities, and fulfill other responsibilities at home.  

Benefits of Inpatient Rehab 

The structured, immersive environment of an inpatient program removes teens from potentially harmful situations, by providing a safe space for focused recovery.  

With 24/7 supervision, teens receive continuous care and support from professionals, ensuring immediate response to any medical or personal emergency. Inpatient programs allow for a more comprehensive treatment plan, including individual and group therapy, medication management, and holistic approaches like art therapy, animal-assisted therapy, experiential therapies, and more.  

Interacting with other teens during the rehab process can help build a sense of community and understanding. Lastly, separation from everyday stressors enables teens to concentrate fully on their recovery without distractions.  

Factors to Consider When Choosing Rehab 

Which treatment plan is best for your teen? That ultimately depends on the severity of their condition, their attachment to their peers and environment, the risk of continuing to seek treatment and affect change while living in the same environment, the strength of their peer support, and a doctor’s professional recommendation.  

If you’re considering rehab for your teen, it’s best to consult directly with a mental health professional.  

 

Teen Treatment in California 

Are you worried about your teen’s mental health? Visions Treatment Centers offers a safe and supportive environment where teens receive expert care and therapy tailored to their unique needs. We offer residential treatment, as well as intensive outpatient care, extended care, and teletherapy services.  

It’s important to us that teens feel comfortable and safe at each of our facilities and continue to carry the lessons learned during therapy into the rest of their lives. We advocate for a thorough, extended care program to help teens transition back into day-to-day living with a personalized schedule and a robust support system at home.  

 

Conclusion 

Outpatient and inpatient rehab programs help teens regain control over their lives and make progress toward long-term recovery.

But which program is best for your teen? That depends on factors such as the severity of their symptoms, their peer relationships, and how much their environment – whether it’s friends, school, or home – contributes to their current condition.

Find out more about how inpatient and outpatient programs work at Visions.  

Categories
Marijuana Teen Behavior

How Many Teens Abuse Marijuana?

Teen marijuana use is an age-old concern, but new strains, statistically higher levels of THC, and increased rate of use among underage populations have many parents and educators worried about its impact on young minds. The prevalence of marijuana abuse among teens can lead to serious health and developmental issues, ranging from memory loss to depression and psychosis.  

 

According to recent studies from 2022, about 30 percent of 12th graders in the United States reported using marijuana in the past year. 6.3 percent reported using cannabis daily in the past month. 

These figures highlight that a significant portion of the teenage population frequently uses marijuana. While teens have used marijuana before – with usage rates spiking in the 1970s and 1990s – we also know that marijuana has changed over the decades. Researchers have found that today’s strains tend to be ten times as strong as marijuana available 50 years ago as a result of selective growing. On average, the potency of marijuana has increased by a third of a percent every year since 1970.  

Understanding the impact that marijuana can have on teens is crucial for parents, educators, and policymakers. This article explores how many teens abuse marijuana and the importance of seeking help. 

 

How Many Teens Abuse Marijuana? 

Teen marijuana abuse is a significant issue, mostly because excessive levels of THC can result in changes in a developing brain.  

While marijuana might not be physically addictive – there has been little evidence to suggest that it has the addictive potential of drugs like alcohol, nicotine, or cocaine – it can cause psychological dependence and other negative physical consequences, and cannabis use disorders have been identified and diagnosed in teens and adults alike.  

Policymakers, parents, and educators have been at war with teen drug use for decades. Why do teens still use so many drugs?  

The truth is that today’s teens drink less and do fewer “hard drugs” than their parents and grandparents, apart from marijuana and hallucinogens. Marijuana is unique, in part because of its accessibility and because of a change in attitude towards weed in general society.   

With increasing accessibility and social acceptance, more teens are experimenting with and becoming psychologically dependent on marijuana. So, how many teens abuse marijuana? Let’s take a closer look. 

 

Current Statistics on Teen Marijuana Use 

About a third of surveyed 12th graders have had marijuana in the last year.

A study led by Oregon Health & Science University found that overall, marijuana abuse among teenagers has risen by 245 percent in the last 24 years.  

This study was based on calls to poison centers involving underage marijuana usage. Death was rare – less than 0.1 percent of cases resulted in death, and these usually involved exposure to marijuana in a public area, alongside a mixture of other drugs. Edibles presented the most problems because they are made with concentrations of pure THC derived from marijuana oil rather than the THC present in a dried marijuana plant. Older boys, in general, were more likely to consume too much THC and require medical attention. 

Other research into rising levels of THC in marijuana and marijuana-related products has found that vaping has become another common vector for marijuana-based physical health problems.  

Rather than smoking marijuana traditionally, dealers produce marijuana-based oils and waxes, which can be inhaled in combination with the “vape juice” usually found in an e-cigarette, a combination of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. 

The result is a product containing nearly 90 percent THC in some cases. Because these are unregulated products, exact figures vary wildly. The consequences, however, are always drastic – memory loss, episodes of severe anxiety, and an increase in rates of psychotic breaks and schizophrenia among teens.  

 

Factors Contributing to Marijuana Abuse Among Teens 

Marijuana accessibility has changed over time.

While cannabis is only legalized in select states for users over 21 years of age, legalization has arguably helped make cannabis more accessible. But it isn’t just cannabis – the problem, some researchers say, lies in high-concentrate THC products. These processed forms of marijuana contribute to a higher rate of potential illness, including hyperemesis (extreme vomiting), cognitive problems, and suicidal ideation.  

Teens use drugs like marijuana for the same reasons as ever: genetic predisposition towards substance use (family history of drug use), peer influence, parenting styles (completely permissive and totalitarian parenting usually result in higher rates of drug use), parental attitudes toward drug use, comorbid mental health problems (particularly depression and anxiety), and accessibility (especially in or near schools).  

 

Short-term and Long-term Effects of Marijuana Abuse 

The active effects of marijuana can largely be attributed to two cannabinoids: THC and CBD.

CBD is the compound most often linked to cannabis’ health benefits, such as controlling nausea in cancer patients, relieving chronic pain, or helping improve sleep. CBD is also not a psychoactive compound, meaning it does not cause a “high”.

THC, on the other hand, is cannabis’ psychoactive component. The short-term effects of marijuana abuse in teens may include: 

  • Impaired short-term memory. 
  • Poor coordination.  
  • Altered judgment.  
  • Anxiety or paranoia.  

The more long-term effects of marijuana abuse in teens also include:  

  • Respiratory issues.  
  • Increased anxiety and depression.  
  • Behavioral addiction.  
  • Extreme vomiting.  
  • Increased risk of psychosis.  

 

Warning Signs of Marijuana Abuse in Teens 

Cannabis has a distinctive smell, but marijuana oil-based products can mask or even eliminate that scent entirely. 

The most consistent warning signs of marijuana use in teens include behavioral and physical signs such as bloodshot eyes, spikes in appetite and hunger, strange or impaired physical behavior (loss of coordination, stumbling), sluggishness, and an elevated or euphoric mood.  

 

Prevention and Education Strategies 

Many previous anti-drug campaigns have relied on scare tactics to keep children and teens away from drugs. However, most teens are inquisitive, and many distrust authorities. Exaggerating the negative aspects of drug use negatively impacts the message of an anti-drug campaign, especially among teens who might already be using drugs and know that a single joint won’t “scramble their brain”.  

On the other hand, being open and upfront about the known negative side effects of continued marijuana use and marijuana-based products – including the link between high levels of THC and episodes of psychosis – helps teens arm themselves with the facts surrounding potentially dangerous substances like cannabis.  

Other successful campaigns have highlighted the fact that marijuana use can affect a person’s energy levels and cognition, trap them in a cycle of inaction, and stop them from experiencing real excitement.  

 

Teen Substance Abuse Treatment 

Struggling with teen marijuana abuse can be overwhelming.

Finding the right treatment can change everything. At Visions Treatment Centers, we offer compassionate, expert care tailored to help teens reclaim their lives and build a brighter future.

Transform your teen’s journey today with the dedicated support of Visions Treatment Centers. 

 

Conclusion 

While many teens misunderstand marijuana as a safe drug, there can be serious physical and cognitive consequences to teen marijuana abuse.

The rising potency and accessibility of marijuana pose significant risks to teens today. With over 30% of 12th graders reporting use in the past year, understanding these trends is crucial for prevention and intervention.  

Categories
Anxiety Uncategorized

4 Symptoms of High Functioning Anxiety Among Teens  

High-functioning anxiety in teens often manifests as excessive worry, perfectionism, and overachievement. They may be successful and driven but struggle with constant nervousness, restlessness, and self-doubt. Physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances are common. Despite their outward achievements, these teens may secretly battle intense fear of failure and social anxiety. 

 

Seeing your teen constantly stressed and striving for perfection can be worrisome, especially when they seem to never relax.

On one hand, seeing a teen show passion and engagement would make any parent proud – but when their success is hiding dangerous trends such as overworking, self-doubt, and even self-harm, then it’s important to peek behind the curtain and figure out what’s going on.

This article explores the most common symptoms of high-functioning anxiety among teens. 

 

Understanding High-Functioning Anxiety 

Stress is not inherently a bad thing, but anxiety usually is.

Being overly anxious means stressing excessively, and usually over the small things. Too much stress can eat away at us, affecting our health, mood, and quality of life.  

Not all levels of anxiety result in an anxiety disorder. Mental health disorders are usually characterized by a lack of functioning or some form of impairment. However, some teens function just fine while experiencing anxiety. While they might not need a diagnosis, they still need help.  

You can function while anxious, but that won’t detract from the negative effects of long-term anxiety – especially on anxious teens, who are still in the middle of physical and mental development and might burn out before even reaching adulthood.   

 

Symptoms of High-Functioning Anxiety Among Teens 

Teens with high-functioning anxiety might be very outgoing, even aggressive, and seemingly get everything done the way they want.

But underneath the veneer of a Type A personality hides a neurotic and stressed mind. At first glance, high-functioning anxiety among teens can be hard to spot and easy to miss – but a closer look tells us more.

Here’s a closer look at some of the common symptoms of high-functioning anxiety among teens: 

Emotional Symptoms 

The emotional symptoms of high-functioning anxiety are the same as any other form of anxiety.

Teens with high-functioning anxiety experience persistent fears or worries, often to an excessive degree. They also feel tense most of the time, restless, and unable to relax.

Teens with high-functioning anxiety might realize that they’re worrying too much, but that often becomes another thing to worry about.  

Cognitive Symptoms 

Despite their high-functioning, teens with anxiety do struggle cognitively.

They overthink about the future, set themselves too many “what-if” scenarios, excessively plan or think about future outcomes, and strive for perfection to the degree that they scrap perfectly good work or don’t allow themselves to finish personal projects.  

Behavioral Symptoms 

As a result of their high-functioning anxiety, many teens experience episodes of procrastination due to being worried about imperfection, followed by an intense work crunch.

They are more likely to say yes to everyone and no to no one, leading to fully packed schedules.

They saw approval and reassurances from everyone.  

Physical Symptoms 

Anxiety can have a direct impact on a teen’s health, most clearly seen in a lack of sleep.

Restlessness and insomnia are common in teens with high-functioning anxiety, resulting in physical and mental fatigue.

They might also be easily startled and more likely to get sick (and less likely to call in a sick day).  

 

Impact on Daily Life 

On the outside, high-functioning anxiety allows teens to set and meet nearly any goal they choose. They’re driven – and it shows.  

But they’re often driven by fear. Fear of failure, fear of not meeting expectations, fear of falling short, fear of being found out (imposter syndrome), and fear of not being enough. Teens experiencing high-functioning anxiety might be one big mistake or one bad day away from experiencing a panic attack or a mental breakdown.  

Socially, teens with high-functioning anxiety have a hard time turning down an invitation, even if they don’t really want to be there. They’re afraid of driving people away, of saying no, and are much more likely to be people-pleasers to their own detriment. They tend to have full schedules all the time.  

Privately, teens who struggle with high-functioning anxiety often pick up a number of quirks as potential coping mechanisms for their anxiety, including nervous chatter, nervous habits (lip biting, knuckle cracking), procrastination and crunch work, repetitive behavior (rocking, repeating phrases, counting objects), an overloaded schedule, a need for validation and affirmation, physical fatigue, restlessness, and a much higher potential for substance abuse.  

 

Coping Strategies and Support 

Recognizing a high-functioning, anxious teen isn’t hard once you know what to look for. If you see your loved one or best friend struggle underneath the surface, consider reaching out to help.  

It’s not always easy for someone with high-functioning anxiety to agree that they need help. While they might agree that they’re anxious, they might fear losing their drive if they start addressing their fears.  

In other cases, they might not want to recognize that their thought processes are driven by anxiety or that trying to get help for their sources of “motivation” is an overreaction.  

Despite their achievements, teens who struggle with high-functioning anxiety are ultimately struggling with anxiety.

It can shorten their lives, put them at greater risk of maladaptive coping, and worsen their relationships. Getting help can change that.  

 

Teen Anxiety Treatment 

Are you concerned about your teen’s constant worry and stress despite their apparent success?

Imagine a future where they can achieve their goals and, most importantly, be happy without the burden of anxiety holding them back.

At Visions Treatment Centers, our expert team specializes in helping teens address anxiety through individualized, compassionate, and effective treatment programs—contact us today to learn more about teen anxiety and our treatment modalities. 

 

Conclusion 

High-functioning anxiety in teens often manifests as excessive worry, perfectionism, and overachievement.

Despite their outward successes and driven nature, they may struggle with constant nervousness, restlessness, and self-doubt, accompanied by physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.

Teens with high-functioning anxiety might not seem to need help, but they’re more likely to struggle with the downsides of their neurotic side in the long term.  

Categories
Treatment

What is A Residential Treatment Facility?

A residential treatment facility is a live-in healthcare center providing comprehensive care for teens with severe mental health issues, substance abuse problems, or behavioral disorders. It offers a structured environment with 24/7 support, combining therapy, medical care, and life skills training to help teen residents achieve stability and long-term recovery. 

Seeing your teen struggle with severe mental health issues or substance abuse can be incredibly distressing.

You want to provide the best possible support but aren’t sure where to turn. Treatment methods can vary, and you might not know what’s best for your teen. Knowing where to go for help is an important first step. Residential treatment facilities offer comprehensive treatment and the promise of a haven for your child.

This article explores a common question among parents who are curious about finding the best support for their teen: What is a residential treatment facility? 

 

What is A Residential Treatment Facility? 

A residential treatment facility is a form of inpatient treatment, meaning residents stay at the facility for the duration of their treatment.

They are usually located in a large house or villa repurposed into a professional treatment facility. This sets them apart from outpatient programs, where clients come to receive treatment on a regular basis but without an overnight stay.  

Residential treatment facilities place great importance on creating a comfortable and homely feel, rather than a potentially cold clinical setting. Residents can come to expect certain amenities, such as modern kitchens, pools, large gardens, and access to nearby parks, nature reserves, or beaches.  

But beyond the amenities and homely décor, residential treatment facilities are dedicated to setting the stage for an individualized intensive treatment program. Most teens who attend a residential treatment facility struggle with severe mental health symptoms, often including substance use disorders.

Residential treatment facilities give teens with addiction the chance to stay away from drugs for an extended period while receiving 24/7 dedicated care within a safe and secure facility.  

 

Key Features of a Residential Treatment Facility 

The key features of a residential treatment facility typically include constant supervision, a structured schedule, and environment, access to treatment via therapeutic modalities and individualized programs, trained clinical staff, and a safe, secure, and supportive environment conducive to recovery and long-term mental well-being.  

24/7 Supervision 

Continuous monitoring and support provided by trained staff ensures that residents feel safe and that the facility remains drug-free and incident-free.  

Structured Environment 

Daily routines and schedules for therapy sessions, activities, and meals play an important role in recovery.

Creating a consistent day-to-day structure can help residents control the chaos that sometimes accompanies the early days of recovery, which can range from post-acute withdrawal symptoms to emotional dysregulation.

Setting a standard for consistency in treatment can also help teens carry the habit further in their daily lives.  

Therapeutic Programs 

Residential treatment facilities exist to enable the application of comprehensive mental health treatment plans, including individual and group therapy sessions, additional treatments such as mindfulness and art therapy, and alternative treatments such as yoga and acupuncture.  

Medical and Clinical Support 

24/7 support staff means that teen residents at a residential treatment facility have access to round-the-clock medical and clinical support, whether during emergencies or to help address their symptoms of early recovery. 

Safe and Supportive Environment 

Residential treatment facilities keep teens safe while introducing them to peers who have gone through similar experiences and are walking similar paths in life.

Knowing you’re not alone and meeting other people who are going through the same thing can be empowering and comforting.  

Residential treatment facilities are not meant to keep teens in residence for months at a time.

Programs at a residential treatment facility usually last between 30 and 60 days, and the tail end of the program tends to focus on reintegration and maintaining progress through familial support, peer-based support systems, and local networks. 

 

Types of Services Provided at a Residential Treatment Facility 

The treatment services provided at a residential treatment facility differ from facility to facility, but most focus on one-on-one and group talk therapy programs based on established, evidence-based frameworks such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and exposure therapy, as well as adjunct treatment modalities such as brain spotting, EMDR, experiential therapy, art therapy, animal-assisted therapy, mindfulness training, yoga, and acupuncture.  

Academic considerations are important among residential treatment facilities for teens, such as those at Visions Treatment Centers. Our residential treatment facilities offer day schools for teens to keep up with their peers back home, adhering to a certified curriculum.  

Individual treatment programs are tailored to each resident’s requirements based on available modalities.

A low resident-to-staff ratio ensures that teens get the care and attention they need to make the most progress they can within their treatment period.  

 

Benefits of Residential Treatment Facilities 

Residential treatment facilities are a step up from partial hospitalization or an intensive outpatient treatment program.

Teens staying at a residential treatment facility can rest assured, knowing that they can focus entirely on their own treatment without juggling their responsibilities at home or school.  

Residential treatment facilities also help instill important habits and life skills for teens during recovery, such as maintaining a consistent schedule and improving interpersonal skills.  

 

Residential Treatment Centers in California 

Are you worried about your teen’s mental health or their behavior?

Have you found signs of substance use in your teen’s room or caught them lying about their drinking?

Discover how residential treatment facilities can provide comprehensive care, a supportive environment for lasting recovery, and effective care. At Visions Treatment Centers, our dedicated team provides personalized, evidence-based treatments to help your teen heal and thrive.

Work with your teen and with us to take the first step towards a brighter future today. 

 

Conclusion 

Residential treatment facilities offer safety, structure, and the benefits of a comprehensive treatment program to teen residents.

These facilities are staffed with medical professionals and allow teens to focus on their treatment while continuing to keep up with their peers academically. In contrast to outpatient programs, residential treatment facilities double as living spaces for the duration of a teen’s stay.

Finding a residential treatment facility that your teen is comfortable with is important.  

Categories
PTSD

The Parents Guide to PTSD in Adolescents

PTSD in adolescents can result from traumatic events such as abuse, accidents, or witnessing violence. Symptoms include intense anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional numbness. An early intervention is important, because PTSD can lead to long-term emotional and behavioral issues. Understanding the signs and seeking professional help can significantly improve an adolescent’s mental health and well-being.

Seeing your teen struggle with intense anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares can be heart-wrenching. Sadly, there’s no way to take away your child’s pain, or place their burden upon yourself. But you can steer them toward a path of better coping, and long-term mental wellness.

Treating PTSD in teens or adults can be a difficult road, but with proper support and a commitment to the treatment process, post-traumatic stress disorder is a very treatable condition.

This article explores everything parents need to know about PTSD in adolescents.

PTSD in Adolescents

Adolescent PTSD can develop after a young person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, leading to symptoms like flashbacks, severe generalized anxiety, and emotional numbness.

Not all traumatic events cause PTSD, and not all symptoms of stress after trauma are related to PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder usually develops in the weeks or months after a traumatic event, and if left untreated, it becomes a recurring long-term condition.

Recognizing and addressing the symptoms of adolescent PTSD early is crucial for a teen’s mental health and recovery. Let’s take a closer look at PTSD in adolescents:

Understanding PTSD in Adolescents

Post-traumatic stress disorder affects about one in 20 teens. Trauma, in the context of PTSD, is usually defined as exposure or threat of death, injury, or violence either through close personal experience, witnessing it happen to someone else in person, repeated indirect exposure, or finding out that a close friend or loved one went through trauma. In short, trauma is anything horrible happening to you, someone close to you, or someone you’ve seen it happen to.

Many people still believe that PTSD is a condition that mostly affects people coming home from war, but that’s not the case. While war exposes people to many situations that can cause PTSD, most cases of PTSD are experienced by women after surviving sexual or domestic violence at the hand of a close acquaintance.

Other causes of PTSD include witnessing or surviving violence in the community, childhood abuse or trauma, experiencing war as a civilian, natural disasters, and traumatic accidents such as a car wreck. Among teens especially, the most common causes of PTSD include abuse or witnessing a violent crime. According to information compiled by the SAMHSA, more than two-thirds of teens experience some traumatic event by the time they’re 16 years old.

Trauma is subjective, and some people are more resilient to it than others. But post-traumatic stress can hit anyone, at any time.

Recognizing the Symptoms of PTSD

Post-traumatic stress in teens and adults is characterized by the presence of four different kinds of symptoms:

  • Re-experiencing, including frequent recurring nightmares, intrusive or unwanted thoughts or obsessions, or flashbacks.
  • Avoidance, such as going out of the way to avoid a certain community or area of town, staying away from elevators, or never traveling by train again.
  • Cognitive and mood symptoms, such as irritability, memory issues, depression, dissociation, or difficulty thinking.
  • Hyperreactivity, such as becoming easily startled, reacting aggressively to seemingly random stimulus, or being on edge constantly.

What sets adolescent PTSD apart from adult PTSD is the intensity of irritability symptoms. Teens with PTSD symptoms tend to become more aggressive, lash out against others, and are more likely to struggle with regulating their emotions and reacting appropriately to things around them.

How PTSD Affects Teen Development

PTSD symptoms can delay a teen’s mental and social development, especially if left untreated. Teens with PTSD are more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and substance use.

They’re more likely to struggle academically, less likely to graduate without support or treatment, and more likely to continue to live in a cycle of abuse. They are more likely to get into life-threatening risky situations and they are more likely to be involved in violence.

Post-traumatic stress disorder can also change the way the brain reacts to certain stimuli and is sometimes described as a fight-or-flight response that is “always on”. This can negatively affect cognition and memory, causing difficulties with problem solving and critical thinking.

Treatment Options for Adolescent PTSD

Treatment options for adolescent PTSD include different forms of talk therapy such as exposure therapy, EMDR, and neurofeedback, as well as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, or alpha-blockers (such as Prazosin) in rare cases.

Other useful treatment methods for adolescent PTSD include experiential therapies such as music and art therapy and equine therapy.

Supporting Your Teen at Home

A family’s role is just as important as a therapist’s role in the long-term management of a condition like PTSD. Family members can work with therapists to reduce a teen’s anxieties by finding out exactly what they need to do to prepare a safe home environment, while providing emotional support during treatment.

It’s also important for family members not to encourage symptoms of avoidance, without pushing their teen to their emotional edge by taking them into places they’re not yet comfortable with.

Teens going through PTSD treatment will also need to learn to cope with negative feelings, such as irritability or low mood, through different exercises or coping styles. Supporting teens in committing to their treatment by making sure they’re sticking to their exercises or coping styles is also important.

When to Seek Professional Help

Symptoms of PTSD are serious in every age group. From young children to the elderly, addressing PTSD through therapy can greatly improve a person’s quality of life. For teens, who are at the cusp of adulthood, it’s crucial to seek professional help as soon as possible.

If you’re a teen experiencing symptoms of what might be PTSD, or if your loved one’s behavior has changed since experiencing something awful, it’s important to find someone to talk to. Professional help and early treatment can make PTSD more manageable, and easier to cope with.

Trauma Treatment for Teens in Southern California

Has your teen been through a traumatic experience? Are you worried about changes in their behavior, or signs of PTSD?

Learn more about our trauma treatment plans at Visions Treatment Centers, where we combine multidisciplinary treatment methods with compassionate inpatient care through our residential teen treatment programs here in Southern California.

Our expert team provides a safe environment for teenagers to focus on healing, utilizing evidence-based practices to address the impact of trauma. Contact us at Visions Treatment Centers today to find out more.

Conclusion

With symptoms such as intense anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares, untreated adolescent PTSD can lead to long-term emotional and behavioral issues, haunting teens for a lifetime to come. Understanding the signs and seeking help is crucial for improving the mental health and well-being of adolescents. Work with us at Visions to help your teen cope with their symptoms, and lead a better life.

Categories
Depression

What is Summer Seasonal Depression

It’s not just the winter blues; summer seasonal depression, also known as summer-onset seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a type of depression that occurs during the summer months. Unlike winter seasonal depression, which is linked to shorter daylight hours, summer SAD is triggered by excessive heat and disrupted routines. Symptoms include insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and loss of appetite.

Struggling with mood swings and irritability during the sunny months can be confusing and overwhelming. It’s summer, after all! Everyone’s supposed to be having fun, planning out their vacations, enjoying the surf, soaking in the good weather, or enjoying the long mid- and late-summer evenings.

But there are downsides to the hottest season, too. Dry or humid heat waves, sudden disruptions in set routines, and problems with sleep irregularity can heavily affect mood and even cause long-term symptoms of depression.

This article explores a common question we hear from teens and concerned parents: what is summer seasonal depression?

What is Summer Seasonal Depression?

Summer seasonal depression, also known as summer-onset SAD, is a form of seasonal affective disorder that occurs during the summer months, causing symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and insomnia. Unlike the more common winter-onset SAD, this condition can make the longer days and heat feel overwhelming.

Current estimates state that about ten percent of people with a form of seasonal affective disorder experience symptoms during the hotter months, rather than the winter months. Summer-based seasonal depression also seems to be more common in countries closer to the equator. Researchers aren’t yet sure of all the biological or social factors contributing to summer seasonal depression, but there are some ideas. Here’s what you need to know about summer seasonal depression:

Understanding Seasonal Affective Pattern / Disorder (SAD)

Teens that thrive in routines find their daily schedules disrupted by the summer holidays. Without a replacement routine to help stave off boredom, they might be more susceptible to internal factors that contribute to their depression. In other words, teens who might otherwise cope with their negative feelings through a certain level of consistency in their life find themselves lost during the summer months.

In countries and regions where summer usually means oppressive heat, the hottest weeks of the year become just as challenging as the deepest winter months. Research shows us that extreme heat tends to affect human behavior, making us more irritable and more likely to interpret situations negatively.

Droughts, debilitating heat waves, and other extreme weather conditions – such as tropical storms and flash floods related to rising temperatures – can lead to financial worries, related social tensions, problems with sleep quality due to unbearably hot nights, and resulting mood issues.

Some reasons for summer-related depression can simply be personal. Among seasonal workers or people in the hospitality or tourism business, for example, summer seasonal depression might be the result of a more hectic and unbalanced work-life schedule, overworking, or interpersonal stress caused by conflicts with vacationers.

Symptoms of Summer Seasonal Depression

What characterizes summer seasonal depression? Depressive symptoms are a big clue – but timing is just as important. Doctors screening for seasonal depression want to make sure that the symptoms are related to the summer season. Things to watch out for in teens with summer seasonal depression include:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Lack of appetite
  • Agitation and irritability
  • Lack of energy
  • Difficulty concentrating or thinking
  • Feeling guilty or hopeless
  • Feeling down or sad most of the day, for most of the season

If the symptoms get worse as the summer weeks grow longer, and improve around the beginning of the fall season, then it may be a summer seasonal depression.

Causes and Risk Factors

The dark sides of the summer season, such as a loss of structure, hectic work schedules, or uncomfortable temperatures, can apply great amounts of pressure and affect people negatively. But a seasonal depression diagnosis is rare, and more serious than simply feeling moody during a hot and boring summer afternoon.
Researchers believe that genes play a large role in whether someone develops a summer seasonal depression. Teens with a family history of mood disorders or other mental health issues may be more susceptible to a difficult summer break. Co-occurring mental health issues could also play a role in summer seasonal depression.

How Summer SAD Differs from Winter SAD

Risk factors make up most of the differences between summer SAD and winter SAD. The notable risk factors for winter SAD include a lack of sunlight, for example.

But there are differences in how depression can affect people during the summer months versus the winter season. Summer depression tends to be highlighted by loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. On the other hand, winter depression is highlighted by weight gain and oversleeping.

Coping Strategies and Treatments

Identifying the risk factors contributing to a teen’s summer seasonal depression is an important first step. Usual teen depression treatment methods, such as talk therapy, are still important.

Alleviating the seasonal causes often results in immediate improvements, as well. During the winter months, for example, using artificial sunlight and supplementing vitamin D are legitimate treatment methods.

For the summer months, treatment methods might include helping teens stay busy throughout the summer, improving sleep quality and sleep hygiene through bedroom air conditioning or other forms of cooling, and focusing more on stress management in the weeks preceding the season.

When to Seek Professional Help

Even temporary bouts of depression shouldn’t be taken lightly. Depressive episodes can have a long-term impact on a teen’s self-esteem and can become recurring. Like adults, teens are also at risk of self-medicating to deal with an undiagnosed or untreated mental health problem.
If you are worried about your teen’s behavior this summer, talk to them about seeking professional help immediately.

Teen Depression Treatment in Southern California

Are you worried about your teen’s struggle with depression? At Visions Treatment Centers, we specialize in comprehensive and compassionate care tailored to help teens overcome depression.

Discover how our expert team can support your teen’s journey to recovery and a brighter future—schedule a consultation with Visions Treatment Centers today.

Conclusion

We tend to equate summer to good times: fun and sun at the beach, longer periods of sunlight and daytime, no more classes or homework, and in some countries, smaller non-seasonal businesses tend to plan their vacation closedowns around the peak of summer.
But there are downsides to the heat and the scheduling changes. Summer seasonal depression, also known as summer-onset SAD, can make the sunny months difficult, causing symptoms like low mood, irritability, and insomnia.

Categories
Uncategorized

5 Symptoms of Anxiety in Teen Girls

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the world. Symptoms of anxiety in teen girls include intrusive worrying, which can interfere with daily activities and concentration; physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, and fatigue; and social withdrawal. Recognizing these symptoms of anxiety in teen girls early can help in seeking appropriate support and treatment.

Anxiety in teen girls can be overwhelming, affecting their daily lives and relationships. Persistent worrying, physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue, and social withdrawal are common signs that often go unnoticed.

This article explores the common symptoms of anxiety in teen girls.

Symptoms of Anxiety in Teen Girls

Anxiety in teen girls often manifests as physical symptoms like headaches and stomach aches, emotional symptoms such as persistent worrying and low mood, behavioral symptoms such as avoidance and irritability, cognitive symptoms such as loss of focus or memory problems, and social symptoms such as isolation and withdrawal. Anxiety symptoms can significantly impact a teen’s daily life and overall well-being. Here are some of the most common symptoms of anxiety in teen girls:

Physical Symptoms

Despite being a mental health condition, anxiety can also induce physical symptoms. In fact, panic attacks, which are a common symptom of a severe anxiety episode or a panic disorder, often feel like heart attacks.

People who experience panic attacks for the first time may call an emergency department, mistaking it for a heart attack. In both cases, you can experience severe chest pain, feelings of impending doom and sudden, inexplicable shortness of breath.

But you don’t have to experience a panic attack to experience some of the physical symptoms of anxiety. Whether acutely or as long-term symptoms, anxiety can come with:

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Nervous sweating
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Muscle tension, headaches, and neck pain
  • Upset stomach or nausea

Emotional Symptoms

Feelings of worry and dread characterize anxiety disorders, but they can differ from condition to condition.

For example, obsessive-compulsive disorder is a form of anxiety disorder where discomfort stems from an intrusive obsession, coupled with a compulsive, sometimes ritualized behavior that can distract from or satisfy the obsession. In other cases, like social phobia (social anxiety disorder), a main emotional symptom might be the recurring worry that other people are judging your every thought and action.

Other emotional symptoms aside from worry include:

  • Feelings of apprehension or dread
  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feelings of being on edge or constantly tense
  • Sense of impending danger or panic
  • Fear of losing control or going crazy
  • Difficulty managing fear
  • Behavioral Symptoms

Behavioral symptoms describe the actions some people take to help cope with their anxieties, or because of these anxieties. It’s normal to act on our fears and worries – we want to avoid the things we’re scared of or distract ourselves from our fears.

But sometimes, especially when an anxiety is irrational, intrusive, and recurring, those behaviors can come across as strange or they can negatively impact our day-to-day life, such as anxiety-related self-harm or sleeplessness. Some examples of behavioral symptoms tied to anxiety disorders in teen girls include:

  • Avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety
  • Ritualistic behaviors or compulsions to reduce anxiety
  • Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
  • Difficulty with daily activities or schoolwork
  • Seeking reassurance from others excessively
  • Nail-biting or other nervous habits
  • Withdrawal from social activities or relationships

Cognitive Symptoms

Cognitive symptoms are the ways anxiety can affect a teen’s thinking, including their ability to focus, to retain information, and to use that information when making decisions.

Anxiety can negatively influence our decision-making, fill us with dread when there’s no reason to worry, or make it harder to focus on the task at hand.

Anxiety also often goes hand-in-hand with catastrophizing, wherein you get an intrusive thought about a negative “what-if” scenario, and let that scenario run wild in your mind. Rumination is another common cognitive symptom of anxiety, wherein you repeatedly think about distressing situations without finding a solution to break out of the cycle.

In teens, certain social media usage can make the cognitive symptoms of anxiety worse, through “doomscrolling”. Algorithms feed users the content they’re looking for the most, and during bad bouts of anxiety, teens might inadvertently seek out negative or hateful content. Other cognitive symptoms of anxiety include:

  • Excessive worry or rumination
  • Catastrophic thinking or expecting the worst outcome
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Intrusive thoughts or images
  • Racing thoughts
  • Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
  • Heightened sensitivity to criticism or perceived threats

Social Symptoms

Social symptoms of anxiety in teens often manifest as avoidance of social interactions and activities, stemming from fear of judgment or embarrassment.

Teens experiencing anxiety symptoms might want to isolate themselves and can have a harder time maintaining friendships with other teens. For some teens with anxiety, social situations can become incredibly distressing, such as speaking in class or attending social gatherings. These symptoms can severely impact a teen’s social development and overall quality of life:

  • Fear of embarrassment or humiliation in social situations
  • Avoidance of social gatherings or public speaking
  • Difficulty communicating assertively or expressing oneself
  • Feeling misunderstood or alienated from peers
  • Overanalyzing social interactions or past events

Teen Anxiety Treatment

Anxiety disorders are overwhelming. For teen girls, anxiety disorders can heavily affect their academic and social lives; teens with anxiety are more likely to struggle at school, trail behind their peers, and suffer worse outcomes in life.

At Visions Treatment Centers, we specialize in helping teens manage their anxiety through personalized inpatient treatment and compassionate long-term care, involving friends and family members in the process. Discover how our expert team can support your teen in overcoming anxiety and reclaiming their life—schedule a consultation with Visions Treatment Centers today.

Conclusion

Recognizing and addressing anxiety in teen girls is crucial. Early intervention can prevent the escalation of symptoms and improve their quality of life, helping them learn to cope with anxiety, adopt healthy self-care strategies, and leverage support from their peers and family members.

Parents, friends, and educators can help by being vigilant to potential signs of anxiety and providing timely support by encouraging therapy and treatment. Learning more about the symptoms of anxiety in teen girls can make an early intervention possible.

Categories
Addiction Trauma

The Hidden Connection Between Childhood Trauma and Addiction

Childhood trauma and addiction are deeply intertwined, with early adverse experiences significantly increasing the risk of substance abuse later in life. Traumatic events can lead to emotional pain and distress, which individuals may try to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. Understanding this connection is crucial for providing effective treatment and support to those affected by both trauma and addiction.

Childhood trauma leaves deep emotional scars, disrupting a young person’s development and well-being. As these unresolved wounds fester, teens may turn to substances as a form of self-medication.

Trauma-related mental health issues can also exacerbate substance use problems and increase a teen’s susceptibility to drugs as a short-term coping mechanism for psychological pain. If ignored, this may develop into co-occurring mental disorders requiring specialized dual diagnosis treatment for teen PTSD and substance use disorders.

This article explores the hidden connection between childhood trauma and addiction.

Understanding Childhood Trauma and Addiction

All forms of trauma can have a significant impact on a person’s mental well-being, but children are uniquely affected. Because trauma can alter the brain, early traumatic experiences can have a more significant impact on a developing mind, resulting in more deep-seated emotional pain. The link between childhood trauma and substance use problems is also stronger than the link between childhood trauma and other mental health problems.

People who experience adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are more susceptible to substance use issues, either due to self-medication or because of the way trauma leaves the brain more vulnerable to addictive substances. A study published in the journal Comprehensive Psychiatry also shows that people who experienced traumatic events in their early years were more likely to develop symptoms of PTSD than those who experienced traumatic events later in adulthood.

Self-medication can quickly escalate into addiction, complicating their path to recovery. Here’s what parents need to understand about childhood trauma and addiction:

Types of Childhood Trauma

Adverse childhood experiences refer to potentially traumatic events occurring between ages 1 and 17. Many events can be traumatic, but not all traumatic events result in symptoms of teen PTSD.

Traumatic events are generally characterized by an experience of violence or near-death, including natural disasters, domestic violence, severe bullying, accidents (such as car accidents or accidents at home), war, neglect, and sexual abuse. Among children, some of the most common PTSD-inducing traumatic events include abuse and neglect.

How Trauma Affects the Brain

Our understanding of trauma today posits that it affects the portions of the brain responsible for memory, reactivity/emotional control, and adrenal control. Experiencing a traumatic event can put a person in a “loop”, where they never fully recover from their fight-or-flight response and stay under chronic mental and physical stress. Trauma can also cause symptoms of remembrance or re-experience, where unwanted thoughts and flashbacks claw their way to the forefront of the brain.

In the developing brains of children, these traumatic changes can affect behavioral and cognitive developmental milestones, delaying a child’s mental progress, causing them to experience more feelings of anxiety in otherwise normal situations, and causing behavioral or physical symptoms such as bedwetting, antisocial behavior, excessive risk-taking, and unexplained pain.

Related: How Does Teenage Trauma Affect Adulthood?

The Link Between Trauma and Substance Abuse

Substance use disorders arise from the addictive properties of different drugs, from alcohol and nicotine to designer drugs like MDMA and strong illicit substances such as cocaine and heroin.

Continuous use over a period increases the risk of addiction, where both the mind and body are dependent on a substance to continue functioning. Stopping can cause uncomfortable and even illness-inducing withdrawal symptoms, as well as deep emotional pain, making quitting difficult. Cravings are also normal and can last for months or years after quitting.

For people with deep-seated, undiagnosed, and untreated pain, such as childhood trauma, drugs can be an effective chemical escape and short-term coping mechanism. Unfortunately, the drawbacks of long-term addictive drug use are much more severe than the temporary relief it offers.

Risk Factors for Addiction in Trauma Survivors

Risk factors are characteristics that increase the possibility of a condition, like a substance use disorder. While they’re not the same as a cause, they can collectively be considered contributing elements. Many of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress can serve as a risk factor for addiction, especially in teens.

One of the greatest risk factors for long-term drug use is early drug use – children who experience trauma are more likely to try drugs earlier in life, especially if their trauma goes unaddressed. Other risk factors for addiction in trauma survivors include:

  • Self-medication due to negative life events (violence, neglect, abuse).
  • Socioeconomic struggles (children born in poverty are more likely to experience childhood trauma).
  • Exposure to violence at home or in the community.
  • Co-occurring mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.

Identifying and Addressing Trauma in Adolescents

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress can look different in children and teens as opposed to adults. Children are more likely to re-enact their trauma during play as a form of re-experiencing and might incorporate elements of what happened in roleplaying or even while playing computer games.

Teens who have experienced traumatic events are more likely than children or adults to lash out emotionally, experience irritability or mood swings, and struggle with emotional control.

Alongside these symptoms, children and teens experiencing post-traumatic stress are likely to:

  • Experience nightmares and frequent outbursts.
  • Express feelings of shame or guilt.
  • Express fearfulness and hyperreactivity.
  • Express symptoms of poor mood and anxiety.
  • Experience eating disorders, self-harming behavior, and substance use.

Treatment Approaches for Co-occurring Trauma and Addiction

Post-traumatic stress, trauma-related mental health issues, and trauma-related substance use disorders are complex mental health conditions, primarily because of their comorbidity.

Treating co-occurring trauma and addiction in teens requires a holistic and long-term approach, combining different modalities to create an individualized treatment plan based on a teen’s experiences, circumstances, and reactions to different forms of therapy. Inpatient treatment is often a good idea for teens experiencing post-traumatic stress and addiction, giving them a safe environment to focus entirely on their mental well-being.

Treatment methods will include one-on-one and group therapy and behavioral and skills training. The focus will be on healthier coping strategies, improving sociability, and helping teens reintegrate into school and life at home after treatment.

Treating Trauma and Helping Teens Cope

Has your teen been affected by a potentially traumatic event earlier in their life? Talk to them about trauma treatment and working on healthier coping mechanisms together.

Learn more about the transformative impact of residential trauma treatment at Visions Treatment Centers, where we provide expert care tailored to your teenager’s unique needs.

Take the first step towards healing and a brighter future for your teen, and contact us today.

Conclusion

Childhood trauma leaves lasting scars that can lead to addiction as a coping mechanism for psychological pain.

This connection between trauma and substance abuse is often more pronounced in cases of childhood trauma, where unresolved emotional wounds disrupt development and keep teens from learning how to effectively deal with life stressors while leaving them more vulnerable to the addictive properties of drugs.

Recognizing the signs of childhood trauma and its link to addiction is crucial in providing support and effective intervention, including inpatient treatment and long-term recovery.

Sources:

Zlotnick C, Johnson J, Kohn R, Vicente B, Rioseco P, Saldivia S. Childhood trauma, trauma in adulthood, and psychiatric diagnoses: results from a community sample. Compr Psychiatry. 2008 Mar-Apr;49(2):163-9. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2007.08.007. Epub 2007 Oct 24. PMID: 18243889; PMCID: PMC2648973.
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