How Many Teens Have PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a severe condition caused by a traumatic incident at some point in a person’s life. It leads to flashbacks, nightmares, and other anxiety symptoms. It can significantly reduce the quality of life. 

It is sad to think that someone as young as a teenager would have PTSD, yet many adolescents suffer from the condition. If not treated, PTSD can lead to substance abuse issues and other problems that can negatively affect the teen’s trajectory later in life. This article will answer the question of how many teens have PTSD, and discuss what you can do to get your child help.

 

WHAT IS PTSD? 

PTSD is a mental health disorder that occurs in people that have experienced a traumatic incident at some point in their lives. Events that may trigger PTSD include:

  • War
  • Emotional and physical abuse
  • Sexual assault
  • Other types of assault
  • A natural disaster
  • A car accident
  • Witnessing or being involved in an act of violence

Common symptoms of PTSD in teens include: 

  • Intrusive thoughts that take you back to the event, such as sudden memories, nightmares, and flashbacks
  • Avoidance of stimulus that reminds you of the event, such as a person, place, activity, or object that may trigger unpleasant memories
  • Changes in mood and cognition, for example, people may blame themselves or others for the event; they may also have a feeling of fear and horror, a loss of interest in things they once enjoyed; they may also exhibit anti-social behavior
  • Reactive activities such as being irritable or behaving recklessly or destructively or exhibiting excessive paranoia, or having problems sleeping and concentrating

Trauma does not always lead to PTSD. However, most will feel the effects of trauma and will exhibit PTSD-like symptoms. Whether the person has PTSD depends on:

  • How severe or harmful the trauma was
  • The type of support the person gets
  • Whether they have other types of stress in their lives
  • If they have previously experienced a trauma
  • If they have other mental conditions such as depression and anxiety or if stress and anxiety run in their family
  • How long does the trauma last

PTSD doesn’t go away on its own and typically takes specialized care. 

 

HOW MANY TEENS HAVE PTSD?

Statistics show that adolescents aged 13-18 have a 5% lifetime prevalence of PTSD while 1.5% have a severe impairment. PTSD affects females more than males, with females at 8% and males at 2.3%. 

 

WHAT CAN CAUSE PTSD IN A TEENAGER? 

It may surprise people that PTSD can occur in someone as young as a teenager, but several events can trigger it. These include: 

  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • School or neighborhood violence
  • Car accidents
  • Natural disasters
  • Arrests and evictions
  • Sudden loss of a parent or someone else close to them
  • Excessive bullying and hateful acts
  • Witnessing an act of violence

 

HOW TO FIND PTSD TREATMENT IN FLORIDA

PTSD in adolescents is not easy to deal with, but it can be managed, and in some cases, it can go away completely. It requires a combination of treatments such as: 

  • Medications: Certain medications may help keep anxiety and depression under control
  • Therapy: Therapies commonly used to treat PTSD include cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure activities, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). The goal is to allow the person to relive the event in a safe environment so they no longer associate it with irrational fear. 

There are many facilities that help with PTSD, but it can be difficult to find the one that’s right for your teen. It would be best to consider the environment, the treatments offered, the quality of the staff, and more. You can spend quite some time trying to find the perfect facility, or you can save yourself trouble by contacting the Adolescent Wellness Academy first. 

The Adolescent Wellness Academy, a teen treatment center in Davie, FL, offers a staff that understands how the teen brain works. We communicate in a manner that’s relatable and reaches teens on their level. We offer after-school treatment programs that don’t take teens away from their friends and studies. We even provide transportation for teens seeking treatment. 

Don’t let PTSD interfere with your child’s ability to enjoy life. Reach out to AWA for the teen PTSD treatment you require. Our dedicated team, including clinicians, alumni, and supportive parents, is committed to providing personalized assistance. With tailored Parent Support Groups (PSG) and assessments, we ensure that every family’s unique needs are met. For more details on teen mental health, call us at 1-866-548-8677, or visit our location in Miami-Dade and the greater Broward area.”

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Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia – Clinical Director (Davie)

Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia’s therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, resilience-building, and collaboration. As the Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she is dedicated to supporting high-risk teens in navigating trauma, emotional distress, and life’s challenges with a holistic and trauma-informed lens. Dr. Mejia specializes in working with adolescents facing issues such as suicide risk, self-harm, anxiety, depression, and family conflict, utilizing techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and strength-based therapy. With extensive experience in community mental health, private practice, and clinical supervision, Dr. Mejia has a proven track record of empowering teens to overcome obstacles and thrive. She holds a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy bringing a depth of knowledge and compassion to her leadership role.

Kimberly Geller

Kimberly Geller - Primary Therapist (Davie)

Kimberly is a compassionate and dedicated therapist with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida International University. Kimberly creates a nurturing and secure environment where clients can freely explore their emotions and embark on their journey toward healing and growth. Kimberly specializes in client-centered approaches that helps tailor her therapeutic methods to meet unique needs and goals. By fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship, she empowers clients to develop effective coping skills and achieve meaningful progress in their mental health journey. Kimberly ensures that each person she works with feels understood and valued throughout their therapeutic process.

Zainub Fatta - Therapist (Davie)

Zainub holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University and has extensive experience treating a wide range of mental health issues in adults, teens, and children. She specializes in treating diverse mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, social anxiety, anger management, etc. She also has a lot of experience treating addiction and substance abuse problems within various treatment centers. Zainub views mental health from a systemic perspective, emphasizing the significance of how one’s environment and childhood impacts them, which is why she also specializes in family therapy and couples therapy, when it comes to achieving holistic well-being. Passionate about empowering individuals to find their voice, she considers it a privilege to listen to their vulnerable stories and provide the support they need. Her therapeutic approach focuses on uplifting clients by building their confidence and challenging them to break old, negative patterns of thinking and behavior.

Krystine Garay

Krystine Garay – Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Krystine Garay is a licensed mental health counselor, marriage family therapist, and certified telehealth practitioner. Raised in Miami, Florida, and a member of the Hispanic community, she provides services in both English and Spanish. With five years of experience, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults, focusing on domestic violence, substance abuse, family conflicts, co-occurring disorders, and mental health issues.
Krystine holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University and a master’s degree with dual specializations in mental health and marriage and family counseling from Barry University. She is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology with a concentration in health psychology from Carlos Albizu University.
Her clinical experience includes rotations at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, where she assisted children with co-occurring disorders using mindfulness exercises, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and dialectical-behavioral techniques.
Krystine believes in the power of personal growth and progress, and she is dedicated to fostering positive change in her clients’ lives.

Dr. Jacqueline Pablos – Clinical Director

Vulnerability and connection are at the heart of Dr. Pablos’ therapeutic approach. As the
Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she aims to create a safe space for
clients to embrace their emotions and express their needs in healthier ways. Dr. Pablos
specializes in treating depression, anxiety, body image issues, bullying, eating
disorders, and self-harm behaviors using techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and
ACT.
With extensive training in hospitals and counseling centers, Dr. Pablos has a strong
background in helping teens and adults with co-occurring mental and physical health
disorders. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology, with specialized training
at institutions like Florida International University, Jackson Memorial Hospital,
Clementine Monte Nido, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Kimberly

Kimberly Carlesi – Therapist (Miami)

Kimberly, a dedicated therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling from Florida International University, specializes in supporting individuals
with eating disorders, trauma, and substance abuse. She creates a safe, nurturing
environment for her clients’ healing journeys, drawing from diverse therapeutic
modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. With a
focus on trust and collaboration, Kimberly empowers clients through personalized
interventions, fostering self-awareness and resilience.

Alyssa Mencucci – Therapist (Miami)

Alyssa is a dedicated master’s level clinician specializing in providing compassionate
therapy for adolescents and children facing severe mental health challenges. With a
deep understanding of the developmental stages and psychological needs of
adolescents and children, Alyssa offers expertise in addressing trauma-related issues,
guiding individuals through the complexities of grief, managing anxiety and depression,
navigating personality disorders, and supporting those dealing with PTSD. Alyssa uses
evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, DBT, play therapy,
and trauma-focused interventions to create a safe and nurturing environment for
healing. Alyssa believes in a client-centered approach, tailoring therapy to meet the
unique needs and circumstances of each individual. She creates a safe and nurturing
environment where adolescents and children can explore their emotions, develop
coping skills, and embark on a journey of healing and growth.