There’s a cliche in popular culture that teenagers are overly dramatic and overly emotional. But the reality is that teens have a lot to deal with. For parents, supporting teen mental health means taking the time to understand the needs and perspectives of your teenager. From ADHD to anxiety to depression–many mental health issues will begin to present during adolescence. As a result, it’s helpful to keep an eye out for symptoms and be ready to help when needed.
Parents can further help by raising their own awareness when it comes to their teens’ mental health needs and concerns. As is the case with adults, mental health is an incredibly important aspect of long term wellness for teens. It’s important to forget the cliches and treat it seriously.
Common Teen Mental Health Challenges
Every teenager is different and will have a unique set of needs, capabilities, and circumstances. However, there are some common threads when it comes to being a teenager–and the mental health challenges associated with that. Some of the most common mental health issues for teens include the following:
Stress: Teenage years can be incredibly stressful, and there are many expectations that teens desire to meet. Teens feel pressured to make friends (and to live up to those friends’ expectations), succeed in school, succeed in after-school activities, and more. Additionally, teens are often expected to have their whole lives planned out (or at least to present some kind of life plan, choosing colleges, majors, and so on). It’s a lot of stress, especially because it feels like it all happens at once!
Anxiety disorders: Teens often experience generalized and social anxiety disorders. This can present as excessive worry about everyday things–or just an amount of worry that starts to impact quality of life. (Sometimes these worries are very reasonable–teens worrying about war or climate change, for example. These are valid concerns.) But even when the cause is understandable, teens may need some help managing their anxious feelings.
Depression: Everyone gets sad. But depression is a type of sadness in which one feels sad for no reason or with no end. As with adults, depression in teens can be quite potent and should be treated seriously.
ADHD: Our understanding of ADHD has changed significantly over the last few years. It does not always present as a kind of bouncing-off-the-walls energy. ADHD symptoms for teens may include losing focus or finding mundane tasks to be impossibly difficult. Left untreated, ADHD can have lifelong consequences on your teen’s education, career, and self esteem.
None of these challenges are necessarily unique to teenagers–and they do not all constitute mental illnesses. However, they are all common among teenagers, and if your teen is having mental health issues, these challenges may be the root. Treating teen mental health concerns often begins with having a conversation with your teenager.
What Are the Signs of Mental Health Issues?
Teenagers are pretty good at masking their feelings and their troubles. So noticing when they are having mental health problems can be a challenge. In general, parents should be on the lookout for the following presentations:
Significant or rapid changes in diet, eating habits, or weight.
Lapses in concentration. This might manifest as dropping grades or missing homework, for example.
Changes in sleep habits (either sleeping much more or much less than usual).
A lack of motivation, especially if your teen no longer engages in activities they used to enjoy.
Increased irritability.
In some serious cases, you may notice signs of self harm or other physical issues.
It’s important to check in with your teen and see how they’re feeling periodically. You can start this process by asking questions around the dinner table or having a conversation with your teen!
When to Seek Professional Help
As a parent, there are things you can do to support your teen. Ensure they are taking adequate time for self care and relaxation. Make sure they have help where and when they need help, and discuss accommodations with your students’ teachers and school administrators when necessary. You can also provide an open, safe, and supportive environment for your teen to be their authentic self.
However, in some cases, professional help may be warranted and beneficial. For example, when:
You notice any signs of self harm or your teen reports any suicidal thoughts or ideation.
Your teen asks for professional help! (It seems obvious–but it’s important not to dismiss your teen’s requests.)
You notice your teen withdrawing from friends, activities, or other things they used to enjoy.
Your teen doesn’t seem comfortable or able to talk to you.
Your teen’s pediatrician can use several diagnostic questionnaires to get the diagnosis and referral process started so that your teen can get help as quickly as possible.
Support Your Teen’s Emotional Well-Being
It’s important to remember that supporting your teen means more than just making sure they are physically healthy–although that is important as well. Supporting your teen’s emotional well-being is also incredibly important to their long term wellness.
If you have questions about how to support your teen’s mental health, you can ask your teenager’s pediatrician or schedule an appointment at our Northbrook or Chicago offices.