We have extensive experience treating adolescents, including work in an adolescent residential substance abuse facility. That setting brought valuable experience with a long list of adolescent struggles: anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, anger, trauma, abuse, parent and family conflict and more. Read on for more about the adolescent stage of development.
What is adolescence?
Adolescence is the time between childhood and adulthood — roughly ages 12 to 18 — marked by dramatic growth and change, both physical and emotional.
Why is it so difficult?
The transition period that is adolescence brings up issues of independence and self-identity. The adolescent brain is also going through drastic changes that affect many areas of a teen’s functioning. Not only is it producing an increased amount of hormones to trigger physical changes, it is also increasing its capacity to understand and manage emotions, and to plan and problem solve. That means the period involves a lot of trial and error in practicing these new skills.
When should a parent be concerned?
It can be difficult to tell the difference between symptoms of mental illness and the normal problems all teenagers experience from time to time.
You may notice that your teenager experiences episodes of sadness, anxiety, frustration and feelings of being overwhelmed. These episodes should not last more than a few days at most. If the feelings are continual and your teen is chronically anxious or sad, speak to them about your concerns and consult a professional to see whether there may be something more serious than normal teenage angst.
If your teen is not engaging in other activities or with friends and is chronically disconnected, angry and sad, the behaviour has become abnormal and requires intervention.
Some concerning behaviors to pay attention to:
- Decrease in enjoyment and time spent with friends and family
- Significant decrease in school performance
- Strong resistance to attending school, or absenteeism
- Problems with memory, attention or concentration
- Big changes in energy levels, eating or sleeping patterns
- Physical symptoms (stomach aches, headaches, backaches)
- Feelings of hopelessness, sadness, anxiety, crying often
- Frequent aggression, disobedience or lashing out verbally
- Excessive neglect of personal appearance or hygiene
- Substance abuse
- Dangerous or illegal thrill-seeking behavior
- Is overly suspicious of others
- Sees or hears things that others do not