Mental illness in teenagers is more common than most people think. Also, it can be very difficult to pinpoint if a teenager does have mental issues because of how their minds are developing and growing so fast. When you suspect that your teenager might be struggling with some form of mental illness, here are some red flags that may help:
Has more mood swings
Teenagers are very emotional beings. If they’re not angry, they’re usually happy. That being said, it’s common for teenagers to have a quick change of emotions. Sometimes, this can be due to hormones or just the natural development of their brains. However, if your teenager is having more mood swings than normal, it might be a good idea to talk to them about their feelings.
Is very sensitive
Teenagers are still trying to figure out who they are and what they like. Sometimes this leads teenagers into making some pretty bad choices that can hurt their bodies or even end up hurting others. If your teen is acting all emotional over these events, they might be sensitive to things that happen around them. If you’re wondering if your teen is overly sensitive or doesn’t seem to have a filter for what they say, talk it out with them and try to figure out why this is happening.
Feels like nobody understands their feelings
Teenagers don’t always know how to talk about their feelings and they don’t always understand how to express themselves either. If your teen is feeling this way, it’s usually a pretty good sign that something might be wrong. This can come from problems at school or with relationships with friends and family members.
Loses interest in hobbies they used to love
Sometimes, teenagers can go through phases where they lose interest in activities that were once really important to them. For example, your son who loves fishing might all of a sudden come home and say that he’s not interested anymore. This isn’t always bad but it is something to look into if they seem like they’re taking on too much or aren’t using their time effectively.
Has trouble paying attention and focusing
Teenagers face a lot of distractions in their daily life: school, social media, or even drugs and alcohol. If you’re noticing that your teen is having a hard time focusing on the task at hand, it might be an indicator that they’re struggling with something deeper than just a phase.
Loses interest in school and grades drop
It might not necessarily mean that your teen has mental issues but it is cause for concern if their grades drop all of a sudden or they’re always coming home with new excuses as to why they can’t complete homework or participate in class discussions. This could be a sign that something serious is going on in their lives or that they’re struggling to focus.
Loses interest in friends and family
If your teen is always isolating themselves and it seems like they don’t want to hang out anymore, this might be a sign that something bigger is going on with them. Teenagers tend to socialize a lot more than young kids so if they’re pulling away from people, there usually is a reason.
Conclusion
Mental challenges that teenagers go through are important to identify and talk about because sometimes these can be a sign of more serious mental illness. It’s also important to remember that there are many different types of treatment options for teenagers and young adults who struggle with psychological problems and mental illnesses.
If you suspect your teenager might be struggling with some form of mental illness, it’s important to have a conversation with them about their behavior and find a suitable therapy to solve their mental health issues. Sometimes this might be hard but being open with your teen is the only way they’ll feel comfortable opening up to you.