Teenagers are considered as one of the most active group of individuals today. However, there are times that teens are already having some kind of mental health problem and yet adults fail to recognize it. Because of misinterpretation and ignorance, teens get to experience less understanding from their parents thus, leading to a more complicated situation which is of mental illness.
Parenting requires recognition of problems, no matter how big or small it is, in children. Teenage period is seen as the hardest stage in the parents and the child’s life. Adolescents tend to be in a higher level of stress because of the low coping mechanism that is introduced to them. Things about school, peer pressure or intimidation, self-insecurities and important decisions that must be regarded for are some of the things a teenager must fulfill in his or her life for it to become more meaningful.
Pressures bring about a lot of stress, thus, worrying is inevitable. Adolescents tend to see the world in different folds and this kind of thinking makes things totally confusing. With proper parent support and care, your teens can withstand these factors in life and make problem solving easier. Although, if you lack to give a certain time out of your monotonous and tasteless job to recognize your teen’s feelings, then mental illness may occur.
Some of the most obvious manifestations of mental problems are hopelessness, depression, and worthlessness. Problems concerning the mind will co-exist with the emotional status of the adolescent. Usually, mental problems are painful and real. It only proves that, when an emotional problem is difficult to resolve, the teen will result into isolating himself or herself from the outside world or otherwise regress and become a juvenile.
These mental health problems can be aggravated and can lead a future full of situations that can contribute problems which may affect the entire family as well. It can result to loss of close and trusted friends, conflict within the family, and dropping out of school. You, as a parent or guardian, must be aware of your adolescent’s present status and emotional behavior.
Distinguish troubles like:
• Overreaction on simple and immature things, has become deeply emotional and cries a lot, and is often angered by situations.
• Feels guilty and worthless.
• Keeps on worrying with a lot of things and is very anxious.
• Long-term grieving after a loss.
• Fearful, sometimes, more than kids can be.
• Concerned about the problems with his or her appearance.
• Being scared that he or she might go overboard and out-of-control.
Your teenager can also manifest things that are based on the mental aspect like:
• Instead of making good grades, he or she flunks every single subject in her class.
• Lost interest in activities that he or she used to enjoy doing.
• Unexplainable change in eating and sleeping habits.
• Isolates himself all the time. He doesn’t accept visitors, doesn’t want to talk to anyone within the family, and avoids all of his friends.
• Having difficulties in finishing things to be done like chores or homework.
• Talks about morbid things and about death and dying. Suicide usually follows with this kind of scenario.
• Keeps on having hallucinations and delusions.
Once these behaviors are already seen in a teenager, it’s time to ask for help. To be able to handle the situation effectively, mental health professionals can be consulted.
Please be aware of the signs in your teenagers; this wasn’t done for me, which led me into adult years sweeping my mental health under the rug.
Remember seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness 💪🏾💚
Wishing you all good Mental Health,
Olivia B. Shepherd 