Signs your teen may have mental health issues

Teenage years are typically characterized by numerous physical and social changes, often making it difficult for adolescents to know how to behave. As hormones kick in, a departure from conventional behavior is to be expected. But what if your teen begins to struggle with these different moods and character traits? Would you know the difference between normal teenage behavior and a mental health issue?

Life as a teenager

Teenagers—anyone between 13 and 19—are also called adolescents. And adolescence, the period between childhood and adulthood, can be challenging.

Hormones are kicking in

At this stage of their lives, hormonal changes in teens are working overtime. The adolescent brain pumps out growth hormones, adrenal stress hormones, and hormones critical to male and female characteristics.

A change for the better?

The fact is that while a change in your teen's behavior may cause concern, many of these mood and behavioral changes can be normal.

Early signs

If your teenager is feeling sad and down for an extended period of time, it could be an indicator they are suffering from depression or anxiety.

The anxious teenager

A teenager overwhelmed by a sense of anxiety may have an adverse reaction to the thing that is making them feel anxious.

What are the indicators?

Indicators of anxiety and depression can be seen in physical, emotional, and cognitive changes.

Lack of concentration

Cognitive indicators include trouble concentrating and solving everyday problems.

Poor academic performance

Obvious red flags are missing days in school or poor school performance, and difficulty in making decisions.

Negative mindset

In more extreme cases, a depressed teenager may begin harboring negative thoughts, including notions of self-warm or worse.

Lack of self-esteem

Feeling worthless with no self-esteem and lacking energy or oversleeping are more red flags.

Issue with food

Eating too little or too much are classic physical and emotional signs that all is not well.

Talk and listen

The key to addressing this need is to talk to your teen about how they are feeling and how you can support them.

Demonstrate empathy

This is important because teens who naturally distrust their moms and dads due to their parents' roles as authority figures will not open up about their problems easily, if at all.

Family comes first

However, experts agree that mental illness in teens requires a comprehensive approach and group effort from family members.

A positive outlet

Any therapeutic approach should also provide healthy outlets for self-expression, realization, and recreation.

Focus on the positive

Adolescent therapy focuses on building empathy, self-reflection, mindfulness, and other useful traits for recovery.