There is so much that pre-teens and teens have to worry about - school, relationships, and changing appearances. And now there is more pressure on children and youths with society being influenced more and more by the Internet. It can be tough to process it all. But it is made even more difficult by the fact that the teen brain is constantly growing. Their situation comprehension, planning abilities, forethought and impulse control, are still developing.
Sometimes, parents struggle to acknowledge their suspicion that their teen may have a mental illness. But ignoring the problem isn’t likely to make it go away. In fact, without treatment, your teen’s mental health is likely to get worse. They may reach for drugs, alcohol, food, or other unhealthy habits.
The most common mental health disorders found in teenagers are:
- ADHD
- Mood Disorders
- Major Depression
- Panic Disorder
- Conduct Disorder
- Eating Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
How You Can Help Your Children If They Are Dealing With Their Mental Health
- Talk to your children.
- Help them identify people they feel safe talking to.
- Take the stigma out of mental health.
- Get professional help.
- Breathing exercises, grounding exercises or soothing activities.
- It’s important to seek support for yourself if your child has a mental illness.