There are reasons a teen’s mental health is not prioritized. Some parents are unknowing of what their child is going through, or some may be in denial. It is a heavy burden on a parent’s shoulders. Moms and dads need to look closely at their teens’ everyday lives.
If there are changes in behavior, if the child is withdrawn or seems socially awkward, it may be time to talk with their pediatrician or a therapist. These professionals can tell you if the teen manifests normal behavior or needs immediate help.
Reasons for Therapy
Therapy is not just about life-changing events or severe mental problems. A teen might be going through an extremely tough time, and as both mind and body are still developing, they may need support to go through it. Here are some common reasons a teen might need help.
Social Issues
Unbeknownst to the parents, a teen may have problems with bullies, friends, or even the authority in school. The child may not know who to turn to for help if faced with these.
Depression and Anxiety
Such can originate from nowhere or may leave the teenager questioning where the emotions are coming from. Fighting depression and anxiety can make the child feel defeated. Early intervention is essential to prevent these from lasting till their adult years.
Trauma
Physical and emotional trauma can leave a lasting impact. Recovery from such instances needs a guiding hand and sound advice. Sites like https://summitcounseling.org/ can be the roadway to recovery.
Grief
A teenager’s sense of loss might be more profound than a grownup’s. There are times when the whole family needs to be involved when a teen processes grief.
Struggling for Identity
A very sensitive subject for teens would be sexual preference or gender identity. Accepting one’s self may be more difficult for some. A professional counseling center can give clarity.
Low Self-Esteem
Some might experience low self-esteem and can find it hard to function daily. If this is overlooked, a teenager may find it challenging to participate in social activities.
Sexual Inappropriateness
Problems of sexual misbehavior may root in something– exposure to television, social media, inappropriate remarks from peers, or sexual abuse. Intervention should be given if sexualized misbehavior is noticed.
Self-Harm
Risky habits or causing self-injury is a call for help. The teen may have concerns about processing emotions or the absence of them. If you wish to know what counselors can do, learn more here.
The Dangers of Ignoring Problems
If minor issues are ignored, it might lead to major issues. If any of these starts, the problem might be bigger and much deeper in the teenager’s mind. A parent can protect against these things before the teen shifts into adulthood.
- Substance abuse – Drugs and alcohol may be a way for teens to self-medicate.
- Suicidal tendencies – There is no single cause for suicide. However, the possibility of suicide attempts might occur if signals are overlooked.
- Severe behavioral problems – These are anger issues, aggressiveness and violent acts, and more. If a teenager suppresses emotions, such problems may last into adulthood.
- Eating disorders – Such problems can be caused by excessive pressure in sports, body shaming, etc. These can result in serious health concerns.
- Legal Issues – If not treated with therapy, a teenager might ultimately get legal problems.
The Bottomline
Get your teen to talk. Let them understand that therapy is a safe place for them. They can learn new things to help them solve their problems and discover their strengths. If they are not comfortable with therapy, you can go yourself to discover new ideas and skills to help your teenager. Do not make it possible for any barriers to professional counseling to get your teenager back on track.
