There are factors where a teenager’s mental health is not prioritized. Some parents are unaware of what their teenager is going through, or some might just be in denial. It is a heavy burden on a parent’s shoulders. Moms and dads should take a more detailed look at their teens’ everyday lives.
If there are changes in behavior, if the child is withdrawn or seems socially uncomfortable, it might be time to talk to their pediatrician or a therapist. These professionals can tell you if the teenager manifests normal behavior or requires urgent help.
Reasons for Therapy
Therapy is not just about life-altering events or severe mental problems. A teenager might be going through a very tough time, and as both mind and body are still developing, they might need support to go through it. Here are some typical reasons a teen may need help.
Social Issues
Unbeknownst to the parents, a teenager may have issues with bullies, friends, or perhaps the authority in school. The child might not know who to turn to for help if confronted with these.
Depression and Anxiety
Such can come from nowhere or may leave the teenager wondering where emotions emerge. Fighting depression and anxiety can make the teenager feel overpowered. Early intervention is needed to prevent these from lasting till their adult years.
Trauma
Physical and emotional trauma can leave a lasting impact. Healing from such circumstances requires a guiding hand and sound advice. A community mental health center may be the place for healing.
Grief
A teen’s sense of loss might be more profound than an adult’s. There are times when family counseling services are necessary to help a teenager process grief.
Struggling for Identity
A really sensitive subject for teens would be sexual orientation or gender identity. Accepting one’s self might be more challenging for some. You may click here if you desire clarity for your child.
Low Self-Esteem
Some might experience low self-esteem and can find it tough to function daily. If this is overlooked, a teen may find it challenging to participate in social activities.
Sexual Inappropriateness
Issues of sexual misbehavior may root in something– exposure to television, social media, improper remarks from peers, or sexual abuse. Intervention needs to be provided if sexualized acting up is observed.
Self-Harm
Risky behavior or causing self-injury is a call for help. The teenager may have issues processing emotions or the lack of them.
The Dangers of Ignoring Problems
If minor problems are disregarded, it might lead to major problems. If any of these starts, the problem might be bigger and much deeper in the teen’s mind. These are things a parent can prevent before the teenager shifts into adulthood.
- Substance abuse – Alcohol and drugs may be a method for teens to self-medicate.
- Suicidal tendencies – There is no single cause for suicide. The possibility of attempts may occur if signals are ignored.
- Severe behavioral problems – These may be anger issues, aggressiveness and violent acts, and more. If a teenager suppresses emotions, such problems may last into adulthood.
- Eating disorders – Such problems can be triggered by excessive pressure in sports, body shaming, etc. These can lead to serious health problems.
- Legal Issues – If not treated with therapy, a teen might eventually get legal problems.
The Bottomline
Get your teenager to talk. Let them know that therapy is a safe place for them. They can learn new things to help them work on their issues and find their strengths. If they are not comfortable with therapy, you can go yourself to discover new ideas and skills to help your teenager. Do not permit any challenges to professional counseling to get your teenager back on track.