Understanding Complex Trauma: How It Affects Teens and Adults
What Is Complex Trauma
When people hear the word “trauma,” they often think of a single, shocking event like an accident or natural disaster. But complex trauma is different. It refers to repeated, ongoing experiences of harm, neglect, or instability—often occurring in childhood or over an extended period. These experiences can come from situations like:
Growing up in a household with emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.
Living with a caregiver who struggles with addiction or mental illness.
Enduring ongoing bullying or neglect.
Unlike a single traumatic event, complex trauma involves layers of distress that can shape a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors over time.
How Complex Trauma Affects Teens
Adolescence is a critical period of self-discovery and growth. When teens experience complex trauma, it can disrupt their development in several ways:
Emotional Dysregulation: Teens may have intense emotional reactions and struggle to calm down. Anger, sadness, or anxiety might feel overwhelming.
Low Self-Esteem: Constantly feeling unsafe or unsupported can lead teens to doubt their self-worth or feel that something is “wrong” with them.
Trust Issues: Having caregivers or environments that are unpredictable or harmful can make it hard for teens to trust others, even those who want to help.
Risk-Taking Behaviors: To cope with their distress, teens may engage in risky behaviors like substance use, self-harm, or unsafe relationships.
Academic and Social Struggles: Complex trauma can make it difficult for teens to focus on schoolwork or form healthy friendships.
How Complex Trauma Affects Adults
Adults who experienced complex trauma in their younger years often carry its effects with them. This can show up in various aspects of life, including:
Chronic Anxiety or Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness, fear, or hopelessness can be rooted in early trauma.
Relationship Challenges: Adults may struggle to form close, trusting relationships or find themselves in unhealthy dynamics.
Hypervigilance: A constant sense of danger or a “fight or flight” state can make it hard to relax or feel safe.
Emotional Numbness: To protect themselves, some adults emotionally shut down, making it difficult to connect with their own feelings or the feelings of others.
Perfectionism or People-Pleasing: Many adults develop coping strategies like overworking, perfectionism, or people-pleasing to avoid conflict or rejection.
Healing from Complex Trauma Is Possible
The good news is that you can heal from complex trauma. With the right support, both teens and adults can learn to process their experiences and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.
In complex trauma therapy, you can expect to:
Build Self-Awareness: Understand how your past experiences influence your present thoughts and behaviors.
Develop Coping Tools: Learn strategies to manage anxiety, regulate emotions, and feel more in control.
Reframe Your Story: Replace negative self-beliefs with more compassionate and empowering perspectives.
Practice Self-Compassion: Learn to treat yourself with the kindness and understanding you deserve.
Benefits of Getting Help from a Therapist
Working with a therapist who specializes in complex trauma therapy can help you:
Identify and process traumatic memories.
Develop tools for emotional regulation.
Improve your relationships and self-esteem.
Break free from patterns of perfectionism, people-pleasing, or hypervigilance.
You Don’t Have to Go Through This Alone
If you or your teen are struggling with the effects of complex trauma, reaching out for help is a courageous first step. Healing is a journey that unfolds at your own pace, and you don’t have to walk it alone.
I’d be honored to work with you on this journey!
