The adolescent years are a very critical period of adjustment for both teens and families. Teenagers have to adapt to many physical, mental and emotional changes during this phase of life. As parents and as community members it is important to be aware and understand how teens develop, the challenges that youth face, and the ways in which the family can help them to become and stay as physically and mentally healthy as possible. Talking to teens about issues of mental health can be difficult – but it is the best way to understand what they are going through and if they need to get help. In my experience, it is often easier for teenagers to open themselves up towards relatives, professional counselors or other non-family members.
Being a teenager is hard. Teenagers are under stress to be liked, to do well in school, get along with the family and they have to make big decisions. Most of these pressures can’t be avoided, so it is perfectly normal to worry at times. But feeling very sad, hopeless or worthless could be warning signs of a mental health problem one should seek help for. Such problems are real, sometimes painful and severe. As a teenager, look out for help if you have the signs mentioned above or if you
- Often feel very angry or worried
- Feel grief for a long time after a loss or death
- Feel very fearful at times
- Think your mind is controlled or out of control
- Primarily communicate with others over the Internet
- Spend lots of time on Online Games
- Use alcohol or drugs
- are constantly concerned about physical problems or appearance
- Exercise, diet and/or binge-eat obsessively
- Hurt other people or destroy property
- Do reckless things that could harm you or others
- Feel shy or unconfident amongst others
- Have problems in school but see no way out of it
To find help, discuss your concerns with your teacher, school counselor or others such as a family doctor, psychiatrist, psychotherapist, psychologist, social worker, religious counselor or nurse.
(This short article is part of a weekly series dealing with psychological expat problems and general mental health issues and was published in various newspapers and magazines in Thailand, 2010)
asons mental health misdiagnosis support Reply
Mental health is often a very taboo subject around young adults and teenagers and people underestimate how much stress can affect them on a daily basis; which is why there are also so many cases of mental health misdiagnosis.
Young people should never try to deal with a mental illness alone as it can escalate and become more of problem.