Becoming a teenager is tough and not just for the young person as the parents too often struggle. During this time in your children’s life you may struggle to understand what they are going through, but it is vital that you understand the signs of emotional and mental disorders. Is you your teenager experiencing difficulties? Here are a few things you want to look for:
Passing Comments about Suicide- Have you heard your teenager comment or joke about suicide, in the past couple of months? This is a big red flag and you should consider getting some assistance. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens, so do your best to stay on top of what they are thinking. Teenager’s rarely joke about such a serious topic, and may actually be contemplating it.
Experimenting with Drugs and Alcohol- Many teenager’s see drug and alcohol experimentation as a rite of passage, and while it is a very common occurrence it is not something parents should overlook. Unfortunately, most parents do not know. Would you be shocked to learn most girls try alcohol by age 13? Boys try it even younger, statistically by age 11. There are some signs you can watch for when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Start with their behavior, have they had a sudden change in personality, friends, grades in school or begun to have problems with law enforcement? Couple behavioral changes with reddened eyes and nausea or vomiting and there is a good chance your child is at least dabbling in either alcohol or drugs.
Depressed- Depression can strike at any age, but teens are especially susceptible to feelings of worthlessness or guilt. These feelings can range from mild to severe and occur in children who were once happy go lucky. If your child has suddenly become angry, self-deprecating or sullen, depression is the likely culprit. Teenager’s experiencing bouts of depression may feel helpless and alone so it is important that parents take action.
Abusive- Your teen may not be abusive to their brothers and sisters, but that does not mean they aren’t bullying their peers. In severe cases teenagers have been known to abuse, torture or even kill defenseless animals such as the family pet. Studies have shown a clear link between these behaviors in youngsters and violent behavior toward people later in life. Behavior and even personality disorders are often diagnosed.
Bi-Polar Behavior- As already mentioned depression is fairly common, but you want to watch for depressive periods that end in a heightened euphoric mood, these are classic bipolar symptoms. Bipolar disorder is marked by periods of ups and downs, mania being the upper side and manic being the downside. During mania your child may have trouble focussing, sitting still or be in a euphoric mood. Risky behavior is typical of bipolar mood disorder.
Parenting is not for the faint at heart, you are always on guard to rescue your children if they need it. When mental health issues come into the picture it is even more vital that you act to get them the help they deserve. As with any issue, the sooner you can take corrective steps the better! Seek help immediately if you notice signs that your child is in distress.
The basis of this article was from Elk River Treatment Programs Reviews – post on signs of mental health problems for teenagers.
