There are reasons a teenager’s mental health is not prioritized. Some parents are unaware of what their child is going through, or some may be in denial. It is a heavy burden on a parent’s shoulder, indeed. Parents should take a closer look at their teenagers’ daily life.
If there are changes in behavior, if the child is withdrawn or seems socially awkward, it may be time to talk to their pediatrician or a therapist. These professionals can tell you if the child manifests normal behavior or needs urgent help.
Reasons for Counseling
Therapy is not just about life-changing events or severe mental problems. A teenager may be going through an extremely tough time. As both the mind and body are still developing, they may need counseling services to go through it. Here are some typical reasons a teenager may need help.
Social Issues
Unbeknownst to the parents, a teenager may have issues 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 come from nowhere or may leave the child wondering where the feelings are coming from. Fighting depression and anxiety can make the child feel defeated. Early intervention is necessary to prevent these from lasting till adulthood.
Trauma
Physical and emotional trauma can leave a lasting impact. Recovery from such instances requires a guiding hand and sound advice.
Grief
A teenager’s sense of loss may be more profound than an adult’s. There are times when the whole family has to be involved when a teenager processes grief, according to a mental health center in Georgia.
Struggling for Identity
A very sensitive topic for teenagers would be sexual orientation or gender identity. Accepting one’s self may be more difficult for some. Why not check out this page if you see your teenager desperate for help?
Low Self-Esteem
Some may experience low self-esteem and can find it difficult to function daily. If this is neglected, a teenager may find it challenging to participate in social activities.
Sexual Inappropriateness
Issues of sexual misbehavior may root in something–exposure to TV, social media, inappropriate remarks from peers, or sexual abuse. Intervention must be given if sexualized misbehavior is noticed.
Self-Harm
Risky behavior or causing self-injury is a call for help. The teenager may have issues processing emotions or the lack of them.
The Dangers of Ignoring Problems
If minor issues are neglected, it may result in major problems. If any of these starts, the problem may be bigger and deeper in the teenager’s mind. These are things a parent can prevent before the teenager transition into adulthood.
- Substance abuse – Drugs and alcohol may be a way for teenagers to self-medicate.
- Suicidal tendencies – There is no single cause for suicide. However, the likelihood of attempts may happen if signals are ignored.
- 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 lead to serious health concerns.
- Legal Issues – If not treated with therapy, a teenager may eventually find legal problems.
The Bottomline
Get your teen to talk. Let them know that therapy is a safe place for them. They can learn new things to help them work on their problems and find their strengths. If they are not comfortable with therapy, you can go then to learn new ideas and skills to help your teen. Do not allow any obstacles to professional counseling to get your teen back on track.
