What to Do If You Suspect Your Teen Has a Mental Illness
Updated: Mar 6, 2021
Parents usually never neglect the physical ailments of their teens. But when it comes to their teens’ mental illness, they don’t understand and leave the symptoms untreated for years. Early detection of mental ailment in your teen and proper behavioral health concierge services are the basics to making your teen mentally healthy. Go for professional therapies if you suspect your teen has a mental illness.
Why Teens Develop Mental Ailments?
Teenage is a crucial time to develop psychological health issues. Here are some factors behind mental ailments developed in teens:
· Environment
· Hormones
· Stress
Signs and Symptoms of Teenage Mental Illness
You must monitor your teen’s behavior and mood. If you observe changes that interrupt their daily life, then those changes are not normal. Some signs of teenage mental ailments incorporate:
· Loss of interest in general activities
· Changes in sleep habits
· Appetite or weight changes
· Main changes in academic performance
· Increased desire for aloneness
· Excessive moodiness
Things to Do If You Suspect Teenage Mental Disorders
If the symptoms of teenage mental illness are clear to you, follow this guide:
1. Stay Calm Even If You Notice Signs of Teenage Mental Disorders
Mental health problems can be treated. A disorder doesn’t mean your teen is insane. Rather, it implies that he/she requires medical assistance. Teens can grow mental issues like bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder the same way they can grow physical health issues. So, stay calm if you find some warning signs. And, seek the best treatment available.
2. Bring up Your Concern about Your Teen’s Mental Issues
Talking to your teen regarding your worries about his/her mental wellness may not feel comfortable at first. But you have to bring up your concerns if you see the warning signs. Clarify your observations, but don’t blame your teen for the issue. Many teens may get annoyed, afraid, ashamed, confused, or embarrassed by the symptoms they are encountering. Similarly, your teen may feel relieved also after bringing up the concerns about his/her struggle.
3. Help Your Teen to Recognize Reliable People
Teens need healthy adults for discussing their mental issues. Help them find that person. Teachers, family relatives, mental wellness coaches, and mental health counselors are examples of people your need to talk regarding their disorders. Some teens feel uncomfortable visiting a therapist, whereas some feel free to do that.
4. Get Your Teen Assessed
If you find your teen’s mental crisis, visit a mental health professional. Clarify your concerns to the adolescent therapist and give your teen a scope to talk to him alone. The assessment may boost your teen’s mental health.
5. Decide Your Treatment Options
A mental health expert can offer different treatment options after undergoing a proper diagnosis like medication or talk therapy.
6. Look for Support for Yourself
Your teen’s mental health may affect the whole family. Hence, you should look for assistance for yourself also. You may talk to other parents, seek a local support group, talk to your teen’s specialist, join online forums or groups, or consider meeting a therapist.
The behavioral health concierge services may make sure you are handling your stress properly so you can best deal with your teen’s mental ailment.