What is mental health?
Mental health is the state of your psychological, emotional, and social well-being. It affects your thoughts, emotions, and actions. Your mental health regulates how you respond to stress, relate to other people, and make decisions.
Like your physical health, your mental health can change and a variety of disorders can affect your emotions, thoughts, moods, and behaviors.
Most mental health conditions emerge in early adulthood, but teenagers and even younger children can develop mental health conditions that interfere with their quality of life and ability to thrive.
What are the typical adolescent mental health disorders?
Adolescents can develop a variety of mental health disorders. Some of the most commonly diagnosed conditions include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Eating disorders
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Trauma
- Bipolar disorder
- Substance abuse
If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, do your best to keep your lines of communication open. Be open, non-confrontational, and persistent. Teenagers often mask their feelings, but you can create an environment where they feel comfortable talking to you.
Additionally, the team at EXIS Youth provides expert services to help you, your child, and your family.
What are the signs of a mental health disorder?
Different mental health conditions cause a variety of symptoms that aren’t usually visible. However, mental health conditions can also cause behavioral changes. Some of the signs that your teenager might be struggling with a mental health condition include:
- Excessive sleeping
- Decreased self-esteem
- Lost interest in previously enjoyed hobbies or activities
- A decline in academic performance
- Dramatic weight loss or changes in appetite
- Personality shifts
- Increased irritability
Teenagers’ behavior is often unpredictable, but you know your child. If their behavior changes significantly, you’ll notice.
What should I do if I think my teenager has a mental health issue?
If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, call EXIS Youth. The team provides comprehensive evaluations and customized treatment plans to help your child resolve their mental health issues and develop the skills they need to thrive.
They offer individual, group, and family therapy, as well as mindfulness practice and other experiential treatments like art therapy, musical expression, and recreational therapy.
Call EXIS Youth to make an appointment today for customized adolescent mental health care.
