Category: Teen Behavior

What Percent of Teens Have Mental Health Issues?

Post author By VISIONS
Post date August 28, 2024

What percent of teens have mental health issues? Mental health issues encompass feelings of anxiety, depressive thoughts, signs of substance abuse, and many other severe mental health problems. Teens today are experiencing a mental health crisis, with record rates of clinically significant sadness or anxiety. In recent years, approximately 4 in 10 teens felt persistently hopeless, and more than a fifth of teens seriously considered ending their lives.

Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health problems among teens. Rates for depressive disorders and anxiety conditions have been rising steadily since before COVID-19 and have been exacerbated by the effects of the pandemic. Among teens between the ages of 13 and 18, nearly a third (31.9 percent) are affected by an anxiety disorder, while nearly 10 percent of teens are affected by severe clinical depression.

Why are teens at a greater risk of developing these mental health problems than ever before? And what can parents, caregivers, and mental health professionals do to make a difference for teens? Let’s take a look at some of the underlying facts and factors behind teen mental health issues.

Factors Contributing to Teen Mental Health Problems

It’s hard to attribute the increase in risk of mental health problems among teens to a single change or factor. Teens today are just as concerned as ever about things like social status, good grades, and securing a satisfying career. Fundamentally, teens are the same as they’ve ever been. Biologically and socially, some teens are dispositioned towards conditions like anxiety or depression due to factors such as poverty and abuse or a family history of mental health problems.

However, the world has changed. The circumstances under which teens are developing today are affecting them and their mental health.

For one, teens are acutely aware of mental health in general and mental health problems. Surveys show that teens categorically rate mental health problems as a severe issue, more so than poverty, bullying, and gang violence. Teens today are much more likely to talk about things like depression, anxiety, or conditions like ADHD and OCD – and they’re much more likely to identify their negative thoughts and anxious feelings with these conditions.

The prevalence of mental health problems among teens today may be an unintentional side effect of an increased awareness of mental health in general.

While doctors and other medical professionals take great care not to pathologize everyday aspects of the human experience, some research indicates that young people in English-speaking developed countries are less happy. In contrast, young people in developed and developing countries who do not speak English are becoming happier.

This may have something to do with the prevalence of “therapy talk” and mental health as both a topic of discussion in society and a market for content, discourse, and trade. Teens in the Anglosphere may be uniquely positioned to experience a more excellent cycle of negative emotions if they self-identify as depressed or anxious and are less likely to seek out sources of support or find healthy ways to cope with their anxieties or sadness than teens from non-English speaking countries, where discussions and discourse on mental health may be different.

The Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health

Smartphones, the Internet, and social media may also be playing a significant role in teen mental health, for good and for ill.

Social media has generally been a boon, especially among marginalized teens. Teens from all over the world can communicate with each other and discuss experiences, thoughts, or feelings that might have alienated them from other people in their lives, whether it’s an atypical gender expression or different racial status in a racially homogenous country.

Millions of teens from the LGBTQ+ community use platforms like YouTube to spread awareness about gender-affirming care, share resources for teens trying to cope with dysphoria while in a country that persecutes transgender people, and give teens who feel alone a sense of belonging through their screens.

On the other hand, social media can negatively impact self-esteem and even feed certain self-harm behaviors, such as eating disorders, especially among teens who primarily use apps like Instagram and TikTok to engage in social comparison or to seek validation through engagement (likes, shares, comments, and so on).

Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues in Teens

Your teen isn’t specifically depressed because they’re spending too much time on YouTube or because they’ve learned to identify their negative thoughts with a textbook diagnosis of a mental health disorder.

But things like negative reinforcement through unrealistic body standards, misinformation, or toxic online discourse, as well as a modern framework for understanding and potentially “treating” the excess of a normal human emotion like sadness or guilt, may contribute to the modern teenage mental health epidemic in the United States.

If you’re worried about your teen’s behavior, whether it’s what they’ve been saying or what they’ve been doing, then ask them how they’ve been doing. Listen to what they’re saying. It’s normal to feel awful after a breakup or to be worried about school. But if their thoughts and actions imply consistent and persistent negative thinking – often irrational negative thinking – then consider asking them about visiting a therapist or psychiatrist together for a professional opinion.

A few red flags to look out for include:

Signs of self-harm, such as scratches, hiding cuts or bruises, loss of nails due to nail-biting, skin-picking, or hair-pulling.

A consistent obsession with death, dying, and frequently mentioning what it would be like if they were gone.

Sudden and extreme changes in diet, especially signs of binging and purging (frequently excusing themselves to vomit, hiding laxatives) or starvation diets and extreme weight loss.

Extreme changes in behavior, especially violent behavior or dangerous and uncharacteristic risk-taking.

Physical or behavioral signs of drug use, from track marks and paraphernalia to frequently appearing out of it.

Conclusion

Rising rates of mental health issues among teens highlight a concern that demands attention. The complex interplay of factors such as social media influence, perceptions of mental health and well-being, and evolving societal pressures contributes to this crisis.

Parental intervention and support are crucial to address these challenges and promote mental well-being. Get in touch with your teen’s mental health, talk to them, and seek help together when needed.

Mental Health Teen Behavior

How Does Social Media Affect Teens Mental Health? 7 Ways

Post author By VISIONS
Post date August 28, 2024

How Does Social Media Affect Teens Mental Health? Social media has both a potentially positive and negative impact on teen mental health. It can contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem due to cyberbullying, unrealistic comparisons, and social isolation. However, it also offers access to support, connection, and self-expression. The overall effect depends on how teens use social media and their ability to manage its pressures.

Teens today are connected through social media. In the US alone, over 90 percent of teens spend time on YouTube, about two-thirds have a TikTok account, and just over half are on Instagram.

Research shows that social media use can correlate with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem from constant comparisons, faked images, and cyberbullying. On the other hand, social media can also connect teens, allow special interests to blossom, and help marginalized teens find digital spaces to belong to.

Balancing these influences is crucial for healthy development. Let’s examine how social media can affect teens.

Understanding Why Social Media Affects Teen Mental Health

The topic of social media usage – and whether it’s a net positive for society – is complex. Even when narrowing it down to teen users, many factors must be considered. For example, why does social media play such a huge role in teen wellbeing?

There’s a two-fold argument: first, social media platforms are designed to drive engagement and encourage constant interaction. Teens spend a huge amount of time on places like YouTube because they offer an unlimited, virtually infinite amount of content at no cost to the user while utilizing sophisticated algorithms that have matured over the years to pinpoint every user’s taste, whether it’s in music, conversational podcast clips, fitness content, makeup tutorials, or tech reviews.

Second, the Internet has supplanted the third space for many teens. The cost of living, urbanization, online interconnectivity, parental concerns, and finally, the pandemic have all but killed physical socializing. Teens spend time together and hang out, but there are fewer places and opportunities for them to do so.

People, including teens, spend most of their time at home or work/school. Third places, from public parks and libraries to other generalized hangout spots, have continuously disappeared, replaced by coffee shops and other places of commerce that incentivize spending money and disincentivize lingering youth. For teens with fewer avenues for free socializing, the Internet becomes the primary place to hang out, whether over a Discord call playing Fortnite or sharing Reels and Shorts.

Social media use among teens is high, but is that bad? According to current research, it’s been a double-edged sword.

Increased Anxiety and Depression

Studies on specific platforms offer mixed results on the benefits and downsides of social media use among teens. Instagram was famously implicated in internal studies performed over at Facebook, analyzing how the platform’s algorithm effectively capitalizes on teens with a propensity for self-harm and eating disorders by catering to their negative impulses and offering them content that is both harmful and addictive.

Further research, as discussed by the American Psychological Association, shows that time spent on social media platforms isn’t relevant. Still, specific activities are: teens that are more likely to seek validation through likes and engagement or look for content based on social comparison are more likely to experience adverse outcomes, such as increased anxiety and depression.

Social Support and Connection

Social media also allows teens to connect with like-minded communities online, providing a sense of belonging and social support, especially for teens who might feel isolated or marginalized offline. This can help to reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety and reduce instances of self-harm or suicidality, especially among groups such as trans youth.

Social media is also a great place to disseminate information and resources to help teens with issues that they might not feel comfortable exploring in real life, especially in regions of the world where things like an atypical gender identity can paint a target on a teen’s back.

Cyberbullying

Teens are vulnerable to cyberbullying on social media platforms, where negative comments, harassment, and online shaming can occur. This type of bullying can be relentless and often impossible to escape, leading to severe emotional distress and long-term psychological effects.

Because of the potential anonymity of the Internet, cyberbullying can sometimes be even more vicious and long-lasting than physical victimization. The advent of readily available AI editing tools and the prominence of revenge porn means more teens and young adults than ever are victims of unwanted sexualization and abuse online.

Access to Mental Health Resources

Social media platforms can be a valuable source of information and resources on mental health. Teens can find support groups, educational content, and mental health advocates who share coping strategies, provide encouragement, and reduce the stigma around mental health issues, especially if they aren’t sure where else to turn.

Teens who might feel overwhelmed at asking an adult for advice can turn to YouTube to learn more from medical professionals and other verified sources of information. Of course, this can have its drawbacks—the Internet is full of disinformation, and teens can find themselves knee-deep in content meant to draw negative engagement or even radicalize youth.

Body Image Issues

Social media often promotes unrealistic beauty standards, leading teens to develop body image issues. Constant exposure to edited and filtered images can make teens feel dissatisfied with their appearance, potentially leading to eating disorders and low self-esteem.

This affects everyone – even athletes and models who have been caught editing pictures and videos, exaggerating their bodies, sometimes selling programs or products, or sometimes because of their body image problems.

Social Isolation

While social media connects people online, it can also lead to social isolation in real life. Teens might spend excessive time online at the expense of face-to-face interactions, resulting in weaker social bonds and increased feelings of loneliness.

Opportunities for Self-Expression

Social media offers teens a platform to express themselves creatively and authentically. Whether through art, writing, or sharing personal stories, this self-expression can boost self-esteem, foster a sense of identity, and provide an outlet for emotions, contributing to improved mental health.

Research into self-esteem on the Internet has led to mixed results: there are factors that can make social media dangerous for teens with poor self-esteem or a propensity for social comparison, but many teens also benefit from social media use, improving their self-esteem by sharing their achievements online.

Conclusion

Social media’s impact on teen mental health is multifaceted, offering both potential benefits and risks. While it can exacerbate issues such as anxiety, depression, and social isolation, it also provides valuable support networks and creative outlets for self-expression.

The effects largely depend on how teens engage with social media and their ability to navigate its pros and cons. If you’re worried about your teen’s social media use, consider whether their behavior has become problematic due to it or whether they’re benefiting from its use, socially or personally.

If you are concerned that your teen’s social media use may be negatively impacting their mental health, it is important to seek support and guidance. At Visions Treatment Centers, we understand the complex relationship between social media and teen well-being.

Our expert team is here to help your teen navigate these challenges and develop healthy coping strategies. Do not hesitate to reach out to us for a personalized assessment and comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your teen’s unique needs. Contact Visions today to take the first step towards a healthier, more balanced future for your child.

Addiction Teen Behavior

10 Signs Your Teen May Be Addicted to Social Media

Post author By VISIONS
Post date July 19, 2024

Common signs that a teen may be addicted to social media include spending excessive time online, becoming anxious or irritable when unable to access social media, neglecting schoolwork, withdrawing from in-person activities, and experiencing sleep disturbances. Additional indicators include a constant need for validation through likes and comments and a preoccupation with checking updates that interferes with regular life.

Seeing your teen constantly glued to their phone can be worrying, especially when it starts affecting their offline life.

Today’s digital natives exist both online and offline, and an online social life is as important as an offline one. But losing that balance can be detrimental to teen mental health, and especially younger teens are susceptible to experiencing a deficit in social skills because of excessive social media use.

Becoming irritable without access to social media, becoming increasingly anxious in real-life situations, experiencing loneliness, body image issues, and neglecting responsibilities to spend more time online are just a few indicators of a growing problem.

This article explores some common signs your teen may be addicted to social media.

What is Social Media Addiction?

Behavioral addictions are learned cycles of behavior that significantly interfere with daily life.

Some activities can be particularly enjoyable or pleasurable—it feels good to receive likes on a picture you’ve posted, for example. But these activities can become harmful if they preoccupy most of a person’s day-to-day life.

Other examples of a behavioral addiction include a gambling addiction, sex addiction, or porn addiction.

In the same way, a social media addiction can negatively impact a teen’s offline social life, their relationships with friends and family, their grades, and their mental health.

Signs Your Teen May Be Addicted to Social Media

Teens can become addicted to social media due to its constant accessibility and the instant gratification brought by engagement, which can range from likes and comments to conversation strings on Twitter/X, arguments on Reddit, or forum debates.

The need for social validation and fear of missing out (FOMO) on what’s happening online can drive excessive usage, often leading to neglect of real-world activities and relationships.

Here are some common signs your teen may be addicted to social media:

Emotional Signs of Social Media Addiction

Anxiety: Feeling anxious or irritable when unable to access social media or when social media use is restricted.

Dependence: Becoming overly reliant on social media to cope with negative emotions or turning to social media as an immediate response to stress, confrontation, or anxious situations.

Compulsion: Constantly thinking about or planning the next social media post and feeling preoccupied with checking notifications and updates, often multiple times per hour, every waking hour.

Behavioral Signs of Social Media Addiction

Excessive Use: Excessive use includes using a phone to check social media at inappropriate moments, such as in the middle of a conversation, during class, or when they should be resting or sleeping.

Neglect: Neglecting schoolwork, chores, or even personal hygiene due to excessive time spent on social media.

Isolation: Preferring online interactions over face-to-face interactions with family and friends, leading to social withdrawal and feelings of social anxiety (worrying about interactions with others).

Risk-Taking: Engaging in risky behaviors online, such as sharing personal information, meeting strangers, or participating in cyberbullying or online challenges for likes, engagement, and attention.

Physical Signs of Social Media Addiction

Eyestrain: Spending long hours staring at screens can lead to symptoms like dry eyes, headaches, and general fatigue.

Sleep Problems: Disrupted sleep patterns, often caused by using social media late into the night or early morning, can affect mood, growth, and mental development. Poor sleep due to social media or phone use is a serious symptom.

Body Image Problems and Eating Disorders: Excessive social media use, as well as a poor or unhealthy relationship to social media can result in problems with self-esteem, higher likelihood of body image issues, and a higher incidence of disordered eating and problematic behavior to conform to popular beauty trends or (often faked) standards.

Impact on Academic and Social Life

A social media addiction can significantly impact a teen’s academic and social life.

Behavioral addictions steal time away from everything, including everyday conversations, time spent studying, and the chance to be mindful in the absence of instant gratification and mental stimulation. Excessive time spent on social media can lead to missed deadlines, poor test scores, and lower academic performance.

Socially, addiction to social media may result in reduced face-to-face interactions, withdrawal from real-life social activities, and difficulties in forming and maintaining meaningful relationships offline. This can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness, further affecting their overall well-being and making teens more susceptible to self-esteem problems, body image issues, and social media-related symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Not all teens who struggle with social media addiction or internet addiction become socially withdrawn.

Extroverted teens can also struggle with a social media addiction or a greater need for validation from strangers online.

Steps to Address Social Media Addiction

A behavioral addiction, like a social media addiction, is often part of a larger problem with a teen’s coping styles and capacity to manage stress.

Some teens are more likely to struggle with an addiction to social media than others and are more likely to experience negative effects due to excessive social media use, such as worse self-esteem and feelings of anxiety when offline.

Addressing a social media addiction might begin with helping teens find alternative ways to cope with their negative thoughts and feelings, and find other, better habits to improve their mental resilience, self-esteem, and self-image.

In extreme cases – where social media addiction is part of a teen’s wider list of problems, such as severe anxiety, eating disorders, or suicidality – professional mental health treatment becomes crucial. Residential treatment gives teens a safe space to recover from social media use and learn to cope with negative emotions in different, healthier ways while reintroducing smartphone usage in a limited capacity.

Treatment for Teens in California

Are you worried about your teen’s behavior and social media consumption?

Visions Treatment Centers specializes in residential care for teen mental health and addiction issues, including behavioral addiction. Our experienced team provides personalized care, ensuring teens receive their needed support.

Take the first step towards recovery and contact Visions Treatment Centers today.

Conclusion

For teens today, an online social life is as important as an offline one.

But sacrificing a healthy social life and fulfilling interpersonal relationships for likes, comments, and engagement online is a strong sign of a serious behavioral addiction toward social media.

It’s important to recognize the signs of social media addiction and help teens find better ways to validate themselves and seek personal fulfillment.

Marijuana Teen Behavior

How Many Teens Abuse Marijuana?

Post author By VISIONS
Post date July 19, 2024

Teen marijuana use is an age-old concern, but new strains, statistically higher levels of THC, and increased rate of use among underage populations have many parents and educators worried about its impact on young minds. The prevalence of marijuana abuse among teens can lead to serious health and developmental issues, ranging from memory loss to depression and psychosis.

According to recent studies from 2022, about 30 percent of 12th graders in the United States reported using marijuana in the past year. 6.3 percent reported using cannabis daily in the past month.

These figures highlight that a significant portion of the teenage population frequently uses marijuana. While teens have used marijuana before – with usage rates spiking in the 1970s and 1990s – we also know that marijuana has changed over the decades. Researchers have found that today’s strains tend to be ten times as strong as marijuana available 50 years ago as a result of selective growing. On average, the potency of marijuana has increased by a third of a percent every year since 1970.

Understanding the impact that marijuana can have on teens is crucial for parents, educators, and policymakers. This article explores how many teens abuse marijuana and the importance of seeking help.

How Many Teens Abuse Marijuana?

Teen marijuana abuse is a significant issue, mostly because excessive levels of THC can result in changes in a developing brain.

While marijuana might not be physically addictive – there has been little evidence to suggest that it has the addictive potential of drugs like alcohol, nicotine, or cocaine – it can cause psychological dependence and other negative physical consequences, and cannabis use disorders have been identified and diagnosed in teens and adults alike.

Policymakers, parents, and educators have been at war with teen drug use for decades. Why do teens still use so many drugs?

The truth is that today’s teens drink less and do fewer “hard drugs” than their parents and grandparents, apart from marijuana and hallucinogens. Marijuana is unique, in part because of its accessibility and because of a change in attitude towards weed in general society.

With increasing accessibility and social acceptance, more teens are experimenting with and becoming psychologically dependent on marijuana. So, how many teens abuse marijuana? Let’s take a closer look.

Current Statistics on Teen Marijuana Use

About a third of surveyed 12th graders have had marijuana in the last year.

A study led by Oregon Health & Science University found that overall, marijuana abuse among teenagers has risen by 245 percent in the last 24 years.

This study was based on calls to poison centers involving underage marijuana usage. Death was rare – less than 0.1 percent of cases resulted in death, and these usually involved exposure to marijuana in a public area, alongside a mixture of other drugs. Edibles presented the most problems because they are made with concentrations of pure THC derived from marijuana oil rather than the THC present in a dried marijuana plant. Older boys, in general, were more likely to consume too much THC and require medical attention.

Other research into rising levels of THC in marijuana and marijuana-related products has found that vaping has become another common vector for marijuana-based physical health problems.

Rather than smoking marijuana traditionally, dealers produce marijuana-based oils and waxes, which can be inhaled in combination with the “vape juice” usually found in an e-cigarette, a combination of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.

The result is a product containing nearly 90 percent THC in some cases. Because these are unregulated products, exact figures vary wildly. The consequences, however, are always drastic – memory loss, episodes of severe anxiety, and an increase in rates of psychotic breaks and schizophrenia among teens.

Factors Contributing to Marijuana Abuse Among Teens

Marijuana accessibility has changed over time.

While cannabis is only legalized in select states for users over 21 years of age, legalization has arguably helped make cannabis more accessible. But it isn’t just cannabis – the problem, some researchers say, lies in high-concentrate THC products. These processed forms of marijuana contribute to a higher rate of potential illness, including hyperemesis (extreme vomiting), cognitive problems, and suicidal ideation.

Teens use drugs like marijuana for the same reasons as ever: genetic predisposition towards substance use (family history of drug use), peer influence, parenting styles (completely permissive and totalitarian parenting usually result in higher rates of drug use), parental attitudes toward drug use, comorbid mental health problems (particularly depression and anxiety), and accessibility (especially in or near schools).

Short-term and Long-term Effects of Marijuana Abuse

The active effects of marijuana can largely be attributed to two cannabinoids: THC and CBD.

CBD is the compound most often linked to cannabis’ health benefits, such as controlling nausea in cancer patients, relieving chronic pain, or helping improve sleep. CBD is also not a psychoactive compound, meaning it does not cause a “high”.

THC, on the other hand, is cannabis’ psychoactive component. The short-term effects of marijuana abuse in teens may include:

Impaired short-term memory.

Poor coordination.

Altered judgment.

Anxiety or paranoia.

The more long-term effects of marijuana abuse in teens also include:

Respiratory issues.

Increased anxiety and depression.

Behavioral addiction.

Extreme vomiting.

Increased risk of psychosis.

Warning Signs of Marijuana Abuse in Teens

Cannabis has a distinctive smell, but marijuana oil-based products can mask or even eliminate that scent entirely.

The most consistent warning signs of marijuana use in teens include behavioral and physical signs such as bloodshot eyes, spikes in appetite and hunger, strange or impaired physical behavior (loss of coordination, stumbling), sluggishness, and an elevated or euphoric mood.

Prevention and Education Strategies

Many previous anti-drug campaigns have relied on scare tactics to keep children and teens away from drugs. However, most teens are inquisitive, and many distrust authorities. Exaggerating the negative aspects of drug use negatively impacts the message of an anti-drug campaign, especially among teens who might already be using drugs and know that a single joint won’t “scramble their brain”.

On the other hand, being open and upfront about the known negative side effects of continued marijuana use and marijuana-based products – including the link between high levels of THC and episodes of psychosis – helps teens arm themselves with the facts surrounding potentially dangerous substances like cannabis.

Other successful campaigns have highlighted the fact that marijuana use can affect a person’s energy levels and cognition, trap them in a cycle of inaction, and stop them from experiencing real excitement.

Teen Substance Abuse Treatment

Struggling with teen marijuana abuse can be overwhelming.

Finding the right treatment can change everything. At Visions Treatment Centers, we offer compassionate, expert care tailored to help teens reclaim their lives and build a brighter future.

Transform your teen’s journey today with the dedicated support of Visions Treatment Centers.

Conclusion

While many teens misunderstand marijuana as a safe drug, there can be serious physical and cognitive consequences to teen marijuana abuse.

The rising potency and accessibility of marijuana pose significant risks to teens today. With over 30% of 12th graders reporting use in the past year, understanding these trends is crucial for prevention and intervention.

Teen Behavior

20 Red Flags in Teenage Behavior

Post author By VISIONS
Post date May 12, 2023
No Comments on 20 Red Flags in Teenage Behavior

It can be a challenge to distinguish between healthy teen behavior, and something worrying. Teens are going through constant change, coming to terms with their place in the world and learning to cope with growing responsibilities as they mature. It can be a tumultuous period, and they’re sure to make mistakes, not take risks seriously, or get into trouble from time to time.

But parents have a responsibility to shield their teens from real harm and differentiate between normal growing pains and the signs of a more serious issue. Most parents aren’t medical professionals – but you don’t need a degree to catch a few red flags in teenage behavior. It’s important for parents to be aware of these warning signs and act if they suspect their teenager is struggling with a mental health problem.

In this article, we’re exploring some of the most common red flags in teenage behavior.

Red Flags in Teenage Behavior

Understanding teenage behavior can be challenging as adolescents go through significant emotional, mental, and physical changes. While mood swings and a desire for more independence are common, there are certain “red flags” to watch out for that might indicate more serious issues.

Sudden or dramatic changes in behavior, like a consistently high-performing student’s grades plummeting or a once sociable teenager becoming withdrawn and isolating themselves, could be signs of distress. Persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, or extreme mood swings may indicate depression or another mental health issue. Unexplained weight loss or changes in eating habits can signal eating disorders. Drug and alcohol use, frequent aggressive behavior, or acts of defiance could suggest substance abuse or conduct problems. If your teenager talks about self-harm, or suicide, or shows signs of self-inflicted injury, immediate professional help is needed.

Remember, early intervention is key, so if these red flags appear, consider seeking professional help.

Below, you will find 20 red flags in teenage behavior to consider.

1. Eating Habits

You are what you eat – but in some cases, teens take that advice a little too literally. Eating disorders are primarily common among adolescents and early adults and are some of the most physically harmful mental health issues. The starting signs of an eating disorder are extremely rigid eating restrictions, such as only consuming one or two types of foods, or excessive calorie-tracking (with poor health results).

2. Sleep Problems

Teens need sleep – but it’s no secret that they don’t get enough of it. Lack of sleep can heavily contribute to the onset of mental health issues due to increased physical and mental stress. Lack of sleep also affects cognition, mood, and physical processes, from growth to recovery.

3. Loss of Interest

It’s normal for children and teens to be interested in different things as they grow older. But it’s less normal for teens to lose all interest in something they loved doing, with no direct replacement. A sudden loss of interest or anhedonia can be a sign of depression.

4. Social Withdrawal

Some teens are more socially awkward than others. Introverted or extroverted traits are represented equally in most groups and are nothing to worry about. But when your teen struggles massively with meeting new people, suffers from paranoia about what others might think, and feels haunted by a constant dread or worry about other people’s perspectives and expectations, there might be more going on under the surface. Furthermore, total social isolation is a dangerous red flag.

5. Mood Swings

Teens are notorious for being moody, but there’s a difference between a willful teen and a teen struggling to control their emotions at every turn. Inconsistent moods and drastic changes day-to-day, as well as long-term shifts in overall mood (from extreme lows, such as depression, to periods of extreme highs, called mania), may be signs of something more serious.

6. Irritability

Irritability in a teen – especially coupled with physical outbursts, emotional tantrums, abuse, and violence – is a serious red flag for a mental health issue, such as a personality disorder.

7. Substance Use

Most people have had a drink before the legal age, and an increasing number of teens have tried drugs like marijuana. Experimenting with substances is nothing new – but it’s still dangerous and can quickly lead to more serious substance use problems. Signs of ongoing substance use need to be addressed immediately.

8. Self-Harm

Self-harm comes in many different shapes and forms. Common ones include cutting or burning/branding, but teens may also pull their own hair out, cause scarring by picking at their skin, or hurt themselves unconventionally. Self-harm is also recognized as non-suicidal self-injury – meaning the intention is never to take a life, but to experience pain, whether physical or emotional.

9. Suicidal Ideation

In contrast to non-suicidal self-injury, suicidal ideation refers to making plans or thinking about suicide. It can be difficult to tell what a teen is thinking – but if they are consistently referring to suicide or talking about death, they may have a suicidal plan in their mind.

10. Loss of Concentration

It’s normal for teens to be a bit scatterbrained from time-to-time. But if your teen is consistently losing the plot, not paying attention, forgetting when or where they are, or otherwise appearing disoriented or out of it, there may be something seriously preoccupying them – or they may be experiencing dissociation.

11. Academic Problems

A bad report card isn’t a sign of a mental health problem – but a drop from straight As to Cs and worse may be a natural cause for concern with most parents and teachers.

12. Lack of Hygiene and Self-Neglect

Lack of hygiene and self-neglect are common signs of depression. When depression reaches its peak, getting out of bed can feel like an insurmountable task, let alone grabbing a shower and a fresh change of clothes, or thinking about makeup.

13. Panic Attacks and Severe Anxiety

A panic attack is a violent physical reaction with a mental cause, with or without a specific trigger. Panic attacks can occur out of nowhere and can even feel like a heart attack at the moment. They often involve hyperventilation and chest tightness.

14. Body Image Obsessions

Many teens are vain – and there’s nothing unnatural about being preoccupied with your self-image, whether to impress others or feed an ego. But an obsession with self-image or body image can be a serious sign of something deeper, especially in combination with erratic changes in behavior, severe self-harm or suicidal ideation, or strange eating rituals.

15. Hallucinations and Delusions

Seeing and hearing things that aren’t there or misremembering or misinterpreting reality are serious red flags for a psychotic disorder. These include conditions like schizophrenia, which affect a person’s perception or the world.

16. Excessive and Inappropriate Worries

Generalized anxiety is characterized by an overwhelming and constant blanket of worry or dread. It’s okay to be anxious about something here and there, but if every waking moment involves worry, something more serious is afoot.

17. Emotional Dysregulation

Teens can be emotional powder kegs sometimes – but emotional dysregulation involves an inability to keep your emotions at bay, and often co-occurs alongside hefty mood swings and anger issues.

18. Harmful Perfectionism

It’s usually good to be tidy or diligent and to see things through. But when perfection comes at the cost of physical and mental health, it can be a sign of a deeper problem.

19. Sudden Increase in Risky Behavior

Teens aren’t always careful. In fact, they often struggle to process risk in the same way as adults and lack some of the neural pathways needed to fully comprehend the gravity of their actions or the consequences of their choices. However, when a teen consistently puts themselves in danger while knowing it, they may be actively seeking that risk.

20. Relationship Struggles

Teenagers making the transition from childhood to adulthood must contend with rapid changes in social cues and communication year after year. For some teens, it can be difficult to keep up. In other cases, interpersonal connections become harder and harder to achieve due to underlying mental health issues, affecting a teen’s sense of empathy, or causing their behavior to become increasingly hostile towards others.

Not All Red Flags Are Equal

A red flag is not a diagnosis of a mental health problem. These are signs that your teen might be struggling with a mental health issue, but not a guarantee.

Not all of the red flags listed above are an immediate sign of something pathological. Being sad for a period of time, struggling to make friends after moving someplace new, anxious over the midterms, or having difficulty concentrating on upcoming exams constitute normal struggles for teens.

Parents should consider talking to their teen about counseling or professional help when these signs become concurrent or prevalent over months and years, and a simple change of pace or vacation isn’t cutting it.

When Should You Seek Professional Help?

When it comes to taking care of your own mental health, there are many things you can try out. Going for walks in the park, exercising a little more, eating a healthier diet, or improving your sleep hygiene can do wonders for your mood.

However, home remedies often fall short of actively improving symptoms of a serious mental health issue, especially when the condition can cause impairment at school or at work. Teens with ongoing anxiety or depressive symptoms, a history of self-harm, or episodes of psychosis will require a concurrent and intensive treatment plan. Trust your best judgment: if you aren’t sure if your teen needs professional help, it might be the right time to go and ask a professional.