A registered nurse, interviewed for this Youth Update , reports tremors, racing heart, rapid breathing, dilated pupils, screaming and uncontrolled crying as immediate post-trauma symptoms. People often expect symptoms to appear only in the victim, but even friends and family can suffer as a result of a trauma. Insomnia and flashbacks, vulnerability to illness, long periods of tiredness, depression and feelings of hopelessness are not uncommon. Parents should seek professional help for their teen if these symptoms continue at length. Teenagers should report these symptoms to them.
Some teenagers turn to alcohol and drugs.
This is a unhealthy support in times of trauma. Some schools have formed trauma teams, adults connected with the school who can spot these and other negative solutions before they become habits. The first step in seeking help is to acknowledge that you may need it. It is also healthy to look at the trauma you have experienced with a view to learning from it. If you can learn from what happened, the legacy can be valuable.