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Recognizing Mental Health Symptoms In Teenagers
Adolescence can be a challenging time for many teens and their loved ones as they try to successfully navigate the many developmental changes that occur during these years. As a result, parents and care-takers often struggle to differentiate between typical adolescent behavior and symptoms that may indicate a more significant mental health concern. Concerning symptoms and behaviors include
Frequent irritability and/or
agitation
Anger management problems
Loss of pleasure in activities usually enjoyed, without replacement of another pleasurable activity
Lack of motivation
Decrease in social interaction and/or frequent isolation
from others
Shift to a more negative
peer group
Mood problems and/or difficulty self-regulatig emotions
Feelings of hopelessness and/or worthlessness
Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and/or easily distracted
Decrease in school performance and/or attendance
An “I don’t care” attitude
Change in sleep patterns – hypersomnia(sleeping too much) or insomnia
Change in appetite either a significant increase or decrease
Self-harm behaviors
Suicidal thoughts, statements, and/or behaviors
While many of these behaviors on their own may seem typical for teenagers, the presence of multiple symptoms may be cause for concern. Some of the common mental health concerns for teenagers include anxiety disorders, depression and other mood disorders, ADHD, substance use disorders, and trauma/stressor-related disorders.
Seeking help from a mental health professional is an important first step in assessing and diagnosing these concerns. Once the initial evaluation is completed, your mental health provider will work with you to develop and implement an appropriate plan for treatment. For more information about mental health and treatment, go to www.mentalhealth.gov.
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