Are you worried about your teenager? There’s so much happening in an adolescent’s brain and body that sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what’s “normal” and what’s outside that range. Teens might seem happy-go-lucky one day and as dark as a storm cloud the next, which can be confusing and troubling for parents.
Both internal and external factors influence teen moods and behavior and, among the internal factors, hormones are perhaps the biggest players. Teen hormones are the chemicals that cause the physical growth and sexual development that will carry them through their teenage years and into adulthood. As these substances take hold, parents will notice that their child’s emotions and mood swings get bigger and more intense. On top of that, the physical changes that come with puberty can trigger body image and self-esteem issues.
Furthermore, the adolescent brain is still developing throughout the teenage years — particularly the area of the brain that’s responsible for judgment and decision-making. This area, the prefrontal cortex, doesn’t fully mature until the mid-20s, making teens more susceptible to the shifting winds of impulses and emotions.
[Read: Mental Health Experts Recommend Their Favorite Depression Books.]
Compounding these biological shifts are the external stressors of adolescence, such as academic demands, parents’ high expectations (as well as teens’ own dreams and ambitions for themselves) and early forays into romantic relationships and sexuality. And the competition and comparisons engendered by constant social media use exponentially multiply these factors. All things considered, some amount of unpredictable and moody behavior is certainly normal in adolescence.
How, then, can parents differentiate between typical moodiness and mental health conditions that require professional attention? Here are five signs to watch for that might indicate a more serious issue at work.
1. Avoiding social situations or activities. Friends and social get-togethers are usually very important for teens. Withdrawing from a friend group, skipping out on events they used to enjoy and spending a lot of time alone in their room could be signs of depression or social anxiety.
2. Sleep and eating issues. Feeling tired and wanting to sleep all the time can be an indicator of depression. On the other hand, insomnia can be a sign of a teen anxiety disorder. Again, some sleep disturbances at this age are normal, and teens do need more sleep than their younger and older counterparts. But ongoing issues with sleep can indicate a deeper issue. In addition, overeating, not eating enough or loss of appetite can be warning signs of depression, anxiety or a nascent eating disorder.
[Read: 5 Ways to Help Your Teen Develop a Sense of Purpose.]
3. Difficulty concentrating. When teens who used to be focused and goal-oriented are having trouble getting their homework done or making decisions, a mental health issue might be to blame. Substantial drops in a teen’s grades or an ongoing sense of apathy about getting things done can be red flags.
4. Expressing sadness, hopelessness and suicidal thoughts. Most teens will tell you every now and then that they “hate” everything and everyone. But repeated statements such as “nothing matters,” “I just don’t care anymore,” “I hate myself” or “I wish I was dead” go far beyond that — and signal that attention must be paid.
5. Substance use. Many teens self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, using these substances to cope with stress and/or low self-esteem. Not only is substance abuse a sign of depression, it can also exacerbate depression and other mental health issues.
[See: How to Break 7 Unhealthy Habits.]
Bottom line: Better safe than sorry. If you have any concerns about your child’s mental well-being, don’t hesitate to set up an appointment with a counselor or even with your family doctor, who can serve as an entry point for professional mental health treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment result in quicker recovery and better overall outcomes.
The best way to know what your teen is going through is to know your teen. The more you focus on and communicate with your child, the more you’ll know about how they’re feeling, what’s happening in their life and what they need in order to thrive.
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Teen Hormones or Mental Health Illness? What Parents Need to Know originally appeared on usnews.com
