4 Mental Health Issues for Teens To Anticipate and Face

Nearly 50% of American teens will experience a mental health issue at some point during their adolescence.

Growing up in the modern world presents unique mental health challenges for our children. It can be difficult for parents to understand what their kids are going through because there's such a stark difference between growing up in the 80s and 90s and growing up now.

Today, we're going to help you understand some of the common mental health issues for teens. The more you know about these mental health conditions, the better you'll be able to anticipate them and help your child cope. It starts with the basics, so keep reading and we'll help you understand your teen.

1. Anxiety Disorders

For teens facing an uncertain world, rife with global warming, human rights violations, and economic downturns, anxiety is a part of everyday existence.

According to the NIH, 1 in 3 teens experience some form of diagnosable anxiety. What does this really mean? 

Some feel perpetual dread, while others have physical symptoms, like stomach pains and fatigue. If your teen is dealing with anxiety symptoms, it's important to give them the help they need.

2. Depression

Did you know that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for those between 15-24?

Depression involves long periods of negative thoughts, mood changes, and motivations. They come and go, but the onset of depression coincides with a feeling of hopelessness and loneliness that dominates a child's existence.

Symptoms include not eating or sleeping, poor concentration, lack of interest in social activities, and suicidal thoughts. You may not realize that your child is dealing with depression, so it's important to pay attention to their behavior.

3. ADHD

ADHD is a very common problem in the mental health of adolescents. If your child becomes bored easily, jumps from activity to activity, and has trouble with schoolwork, they may have ADHD. This is a major issue in today's society due to our preoccupation with social media.

That said, there's a difference between short attention spans and ADHD, so have your child properly diagnosed. Often, those suffering from ADHD have at least one co-occurring mental health issue.

4. Substance Use Disorders

The teenage years are when children are most likely to start taking risks. For most kids, this is merely an experiment, but for others, it can be a life-altering dive into addiction.

How a teen's behavior changes will depend on what they're using. Some teens will exhibit almost no changes, keeping their addiction completely secret. Others may start to withdraw from friends and family, lose track of work and school, or end up stifling healthy development.

Again, substance abuse is often masking a deeper issue. Getting your teen to enter treatment can be difficult, but it's absolutely necessary because addiction can quickly take a dark turn.

Getting Help with Mental Health Issues for Teens

These are the most common mental health issues for teens. If your teen is exhibiting unsettling behaviors, there's a decent chance that they're suffering from one or more of these mental health disorders. It's important to get them the right type of help.

A Better Way Healthcare Services LLC is a multidisciplinary facility serving those in Louisiana and Georgia. We're currently accepting new clients and referrals, so reach out today to get your teen the help they need.