It is not uncommon for teenagers to be moody at times. This is often due to the natural change in their hormones that can leave them smiling at one minute and crying at another. However, severe moodiness may be a sign that something more serious is going on. For many reasons, teenagers suffer from mental and emotional problems that may not have been as evident during their childhood. These are some common mental and emotional health conditions that teenagers commonly suffer from.
Depression
Depression in adolescents commonly involves having feelings of sadness, loneliness and anger. However, for teenagers, depression often also includes frequent irritability and even hostility towards others.
Teens who are suffering from depression commonly feel hopeless, have trouble concentrating and may also lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. This can also have a negative effect on their friendships with other teens, relationships with family members and performance in school.
Anxiety
Anxiety is another mental condition that many teens suffer from. This can include a variety of different types of anxiety including panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety and certain phobias. Anxiety is often triggered by a particularly traumatic or abusive experience the teenager may have endured.
The symptoms of anxiety may include being overly emotional, being fearful of other people and new experiences and seeming frequently withdrawn from situations going on around them. Anxiety makes simple daily routines such as going to school and interacting with peers very difficult for some adolescents.
Eating Disorders
Some teenagers also suffer from eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia and body dysmorphia. This is triggered by the belief that they continuously need to lose weight to fit in with society. A teenager with body dysmorphia actually looks much heavier to herself when looking in a mirror than she actually is.
Those who suffer from eating disorders usually practice extreme dieting and exercise regimens. Bulimic teens binge and purge regularly, and anorexic teens eat very little each day. Teens often have substantial weight loss, look thin and feel weak and are very unhappy with their appearance. This type of behavior may begin due to being teased or bullied by other teens or even adults.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a common mental disorder that can occur during early childhood or adolescence. The symptoms of this condition include a short attention span, disorganization, hyperactivity and uncontrollable impulsiveness.
Teens with ADHD may have trouble concentrating, become disruptive and get bored easily. They often show symptoms both at home and in school. This condition is believed to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.
At the first sign of a change in a teenager's personality, behavior or interest in hobbies or activities, it is a good idea for the parents to get to the root of the problem. If talking to the teenager does not work, it may be necessary to seek professional help. There are many types of medication, therapy and counseling treatment plans that can be of great help to troubled teenagers.
For more information, contact Children's Home of NKY or a similar organization.
Share4 April 2016
When I was younger, my parents didn't like us to talk about our problems. Instead of voicing our concerns, my parents encouraged us to work on our issues privately. Although this attitude taught me a great deal about personal strength, it has made it hard for me to talk about my problems with other people. After two failed marriages, I realized that the lack of communication could hurt my ability to work well with coworkers, spouses, roommates, and friends. In an attempt to correct my bad habits, I started working with a professional counselor, which made an immediate difference in my life. I know that counseling can help you too, which is why I created a website dedicated to communication and counseling.
