Signs of Mental Health Disorder in Teens

Fortunately, mental health awareness has sky-rocketed in recent times. As a parent, knowing the signs of mental health disorders is necessary to help you support your child. The following article details the signs of mental health, when and how they appear, and what actions to take for the best outcomes.

• How to tell if your child is struggling with mental health?
• What are the 10 common warning signs of a mental health crisis?
• What age does mental illness show up?
• What are the three most common mental disorders in childhood?
• What to do if you think someone is mentally unstable?

How to tell if your child is struggling with mental health?

All children struggle with their mood and behavior from time to time. Learning how to manage emotions is a normal part of a child’s development. However, when behavioral or emotional issues persist beyond understandable reactions, this may be a sign your child struggles and faces a mental health disorder. This is not the worst news imaginable. Many children and young people wrestle with mental health problems. It is crucial to know what to be on the alert for and what to do about it if you find your child in this predicament.

What are the 10 common warning signs of a mental health crisis?

• Mood Swings: Unreasonable and persistent mood swings ought to be noted.
  
• Eating Habits: An increase or decrease in food intake or sudden weight loss or gain is a sign that a child is unhealthily reacting to something.
  
• Anxiety Disorders: this kind of constant worry or fear interferes with normal functioning, whether it be socially or individually, and is cause for concern.
  
• Depression Anxiety: Depression causes isolation, unhealthy eating habits, and a host of other concerns that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
  
• Substance Abuse: Using drugs or alcohol to cope or fit in is likely a symptom of a mental health crisis masking as another issue.
  
• Withdrawal: avoidant behavior is cause for concern, especially if the persons being avoided are close family and friends.
  
• Suicidal Thoughts: Thoughts, writing, and drawings of suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and death in general are a massive concern and ought to be addressed as soon as possible.
  
• Sleep Patterns: Drastic changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or excessive sleeping, must be noted. It is typical, however, that teens will be sleeping more due to undergoing puberty, needing the sleep to grow and develop healthily.
  
• Academic Performance: Noticeable fluctuations in grades, such as a decline in grades and loss of interest in schoolwork, might be a sign of a mental health concern.
  
• Behavioral Changes: Though hormonal changes that might lead to heightened emotional episodes will occur during the teenage years, increased and unreasonable aggression, anger, or emotional outbursts that seem unusual for your child must be noted.

What age does mental illness show up?

Even though mental health problems can emerge at any age, it is more likely for them to appear during the teenage and adolescent years. Half of all mental illnesses begin by the end of age 14. Three-quarters of mental illnesses begin by the age of 24. To provide the best treatment for your child, you must notice the signs above early to mitigate any long-term coping strategies that may unintentionally be formed.

What are the three most common mental disorders in childhood?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the three most common mental health disorders diagnosed in childhood are the following:

1. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): This is the most common mental health disorder, characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and, most notably, impulsivity. Children with ADHD usually struggle with focusing, following instructions, and completing tasks.
2. Anxiety Disorders: This includes anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, usually experiencing excessive worry or fear that inhibits daily activities.
3. Behavior Disorders: Teenagers with behavioral disorders often show patterns of disruptive and aggressive behavior, having frequent temper tantrums, refusing to follow rules, and behaving in ways that are harmful to themselves or others.

Remember, it is important not to jump to conclusions. Seek help from a mental health professional to clarify these complicated issues. If you notice any of these signs in your child, it is best to reserve judgment and yield to a mental health professional’s counsel and advice.

What to do if you think someone is mentally unstable?

As briefly stated above, if you believe your child or someone you know has a mental health disorder, you must proceed with caution. Talk openly with your loved one about their behavior, showing them utmost empathy. Do this in a spirit of love, and be willing to support your loved ones by spending time with them and prioritizing them until they get the help they need. Seek professional advice from a mental health practitioner. They can provide you with the necessary information on the next steps and if an evaluation is appropriate. 

Mental Health Treatment for Teens at Horizon Recovery

At Horizon Recovery, we offer a unique and personalized approach to mental health and addiction treatments. We hope to provide you and your loved one with the most professional and helpful experience. We understand that this may be a rough season, but we want to walk you through it, providing the best mental health services possible. 

We focus on providing professional, evidence-based clinical care in order to ensure you or your loved one’s well-being.

Do you have any questions? Call us at (602) 755-7858.