The back-to-school season can be an exciting time for many children and parents. However, for some, it can also bring about a considerable amount of anxiety and stress. In some cases, these feelings can be so overwhelming that they lead to or exacerbate Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
In this blog post, we want to raise PTSD awareness. We will study the connection between anxiety during back-to-school time and PTSD. We will also identify triggers, 5 stages of PTSD, and the lasting effects on the body. We want to tell you about two programs that effectively treat PTSD: Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).
What is Back-to-School Anxiety and PTSD?
Back-to-school anxiety is a common occurrence among children and adolescents. It can manifest in various forms, such as separation anxiety, social anxiety, test anxiety, and general worries about academic performance. While these feelings are normal to some extent, they can become problematic when they escalate into something more severe, like PTSD.
You can learn the journey through the 5 stages of PTSD. Traumatic events often link to PTSD, but ongoing stressors like school pressure and anxiety can also trigger or worsen it. When a child experiences a traumatic event at or related to school, such as bullying, academic failure, or even a school shooting, it can lead to symptoms of PTSD, including flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance behavior.
Recognizing the Triggers
Recognizing the triggers of back-to-school anxiety and potential PTSD in children is crucial for early intervention and support. Here are some common triggers to look out for:
Bullying: Persistent bullying, whether physical or emotional, can traumatize a child and lead to symptoms of PTSD.
Academic Pressure: High expectations, excessive workload, or academic struggles can create chronic stress and anxiety.
Social Anxiety: Fear of rejection or social isolation can be a powerful trigger for anxiety and PTSD symptoms.
School Violence: Exposure to violence or threats at school can lead to trauma and severe anxiety.
Family Issues: Problems like divorce or losing a loved one can cause anxiety and PTSD related to school.
Pre-Existing Mental Health Conditions: Children with existing anxiety or depression may be more likely to develop PTSD symptoms due to stress from school.
What are the 5 Stages of PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a multi-faceted disorder that can manifest and progress through several stages. Here, we elucidate the five stages of PTSD to help parents better understand the journey their child might undergo:
Impact or Emergency Stage: Immediately after the traumatic event, the individual might experience intense shock, confusion, or even disbelief. It's a survival mechanism that helps the person cope with the immediate aftermath.
Denial/Numbing Stage: In this stage, the person tries to avoid thinking, feeling, or discussing the traumatic event. Emotional "numbing" is a defense mechanism that blocks out trauma and makes a person seem detached or unaffected.
Rescue Stage (including Intrusive or Repetitive stage): Memories of trauma can intrude and cause flashbacks and repetitive thoughts. This can be distressing, as the person may feel like they're reliving the trauma over and over again.
Short-term Recovery or Intermediate Stage: Here, the individual starts coming to terms with the traumatic event. They may use coping strategies, seek help from loved ones or professionals, and slowly get back to their usual routine.
Long-term Reconstruction or Recovery Stage: This is a period of acceptance and adaptation. The trauma may never fully go away. However, the person learns to deal with it. They incorporate the experience into their life. They may even find personal growth or meaning from it.
Parents can support their child with PTSD by learning about these stages. This will give them a guide to understand and help their child through the challenges.
Other Specified Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorder (OSTSRD)
Trauma causes PTSD, but professionals can also diagnose OSTSRD. Those who experience symptoms of traumatic stress that don't necessarily align with traditional PTSD criteria receive this diagnosis. It underscores the fact that trauma can manifest uniquely in each individual, not always fitting neatly into predefined boxes. By understanding OSTSRD, parents can better appreciate the spectrum of trauma-related disorders and ensure their child gets appropriate support.
How Innerspace Counseling Can Help
Innerspace Counseling helps children, adolescents, and adults with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more. They offer a treatment plan designed to meet individual needs, including:
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): IOP is an effective treatment option for children, teens, adults, and perinatal individuals with moderate to severe anxiety or PTSD. It provides therapy and support. This includes individual and group therapy, family sessions, and medication management. It also allows them to go to school and maintain their daily routines.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): PHP is a more intensive level of care that provides a higher level of support and structure. PHP includes everything IOP has but requires more days and hours a week. It's suitable for teens, adults, and perinatal individuals who require more intensive treatment for their mental health concerns.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT helps clients learn ways to handle anxiety, depression, and other mood problems by teaching coping skills and emotional regulation techniques.
Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Management: Innerspace Counseling has experienced psychiatrists who can provide thorough evaluations and medication management when necessary.
Conclusion
Feeling anxious about going back to school is common as you grow up. But if it becomes PTSD or severe anxiety, it's important to get help.
Innerspace Counseling assists children and adolescents who experience school anxieties and PTSD. They offer various programs such as IOP and PHP. Additionally, they provide therapies like DBT and psychiatric support.
If your child is struggling with back-to-school anxiety or PTSD, don't hesitate to reach out to Innerspace Counseling. They help your child succeed in school and beyond, boosting their confidence and overall well-being. Remember, early intervention is key to a brighter and more promising future for your child.