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Experience with young teens and PTSD?
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Jan 15, 2011 - 3:14 pm
My 13-year-old son seemed to take his father's cancer treatments the best of all of us, but now I'm starting to wonder. He's playing more (and more violent) video games lately and really immersing himself in watching shows (like working his way through years of Dr. Who). He's also cranky and uncooperative a lot of the time. I know - sounds like a typical teenage boy. However, a friend feels he has really changed over the last few months and I'm inclined to take her advice. Anyone else encounter this? Suggestions for the best approach? I'm not against therapy, although we are tight on money and our insurance doesn't pay for much. Good books for him to read? |
Joined: Jun 2010
Have you tried to contact the ACS to see if they have some free children's groups he can attend?
Joined: Oct 2010
Your friends instincts are probably right. Best advice is to see if you can find an adult both he and you trust that he can talk to confidentially, but with the understanding that if there is something serious (like hurting himself, doing something illegal, etc.) the adult will tell you. Otherwise, it's an A-B conversation. You don't neccesarily need a trained therapist, but a church youth group leader, pastor, even a Big Brother/Big Sister type person. Getting him in to see a doc can be helpful, especially if meds may be needed.
Mostly he should be able to talk it out, but needs a safe outlet to do so.
Lots of hugs - he'll be ok :)
Joined: Aug 2009
Oh, dear, I can't imagine what it must be like to have cancer and teenager funk in the house at the same time. Psychologically speaking, my daughter took a left turn when she was 13, and took years to come out the other side. We went though a lot, including using her college money for treatment, and in the years since she's told them there was little I could have done differently. She felt that everything sucked, and I just wanted her safe and happy.
The school counselor might be a good resource. In retrospect, my daughter appreciated knowing there was someone who cared at school.
She's 24 now, finished college and out in the world, and her self-dx is anxiety disorder. It was easier to withdraw into the pain than to deal with it, she says.
Good luck. I often found that if we went out to eat, just the two of us, and sat across the table, she would talk to me.
Joined: May 2010
i am SO glad you posted this. my son will be 10 next month and his behavior has been deplorable! his grades have suffered and his attitude toward me is horrendous....i feel bad, like i have been less than a good mom since my dad got sick. i can't yell at dad, he's dying and i shouldn't yell at my little man because he didn't ask for any of this.....oh god, please take this sh!t away.......sorry, i'm having a particularly horrible day.
Joined: Oct 2009
My husband was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in Sept. of 2007. He passed away on 10-31-09. My son was 11 at the time of diagnosis and 13 when he passed. He watched his dad go through prolonged hospital stays due to the aggressive treatment or the surgeries, he watched him lose his hair, lose 80 lbs, being taken b