We might experience moral injury when our own actions (or inactions) break our moral code or when we feel betrayed by the actions of another person. It causes a deep sense of broken trust in ourselves, our communities or our institutions to act in just ways. We may feel intense emotions of guilt, shame, and regret.
In recent years, research has uncovered the importance of the mind-body connection and its intrinsic inseparability. We understand how trauma is stored in the body and how many of our hormones are synthesised in the gut. We understand that the food we eat impacts the way our brains and bodies function and critically influences how we feel.
Through open conversations with a young person, you can set some boundaries together about how they should use chatbots and AI. For example, you might agree to avoid using chatbots for emotional support or having extended conversations with a chatbot. You might agree on certain guidelines for time limits for using AI chatbots and the internet more broadly.
Witnessing violence can be a traumatic experience for a young person, whether they see the event in person or online. Exposure to violence can lead to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, fear, panic, and other psychological distress. They may feel helpless, hopeless, and out of control.
Having BPD doesn’t mean there is something wrong with a young person’s personality. BPD traits can usually be understood as a normal response to difficult life events, which, at some point, helped a young person cope with and survive their experiences. However, these mechanisms make it hard to function in everyday life.
Collaborative treatment is one of the core elements of adolescent mental health care and an important protector of young people’s rights. However, it’s not always clear – for both parents, young people, and clinicians – what collaborative treatment means in practice.
Martial arts training is one practice that may help us to build this safety and stability. It teaches skills that facilitate concentration, self-awareness, and mood regulation. It may improve attention, focus, and self-esteem.
When a young person develops very low self-worth, they can feel like they don’t deserve to have a clean and tidy room. If they feel hopeless about life, or like nothing has meaning, they might feel like there’s no point in keeping their space organised. Fatigue, another common symptom of depression, can leave young people struggling to find the energy to complete even simple self-care tasks.
Before teenagers begin to reprocess traumatic events, they have to be able to access these memories, thoughts, and emotions safely. The preparation phase of EMDR supports teenagers in developing distress tolerance skills that help them cope with the pain connected with traumatic memories. It also helps them to access suppressed emotions and feelings in their bodies.
Have any questions or want to get started with the admissions process? Contact our friendly care team – they’ll be happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have and will walk you through how to prepare for your child’s stay at The Wave.
