Adolescence is probably the most difficult time in the life of young people. There is so much going on their minds and their bodies that they don’t understand, and they’re trying to make sense of it all. The teen years are a period of growth, self-discovery, and self-realization, and it can be a very confusing and mentally-taxing time.
All of the changes and pressures that teens feel can have adverse effects on their self-esteem and mental stability. If not addressed, then these issues can affect your teen’s behavior and attitude in ways that can lead to legal trouble, drug use, and mental illness.
Adolescence is the bridge between childhood and adulthood, and it is the most crucial time of their young lives. It is important to give your teen their best possible shot at having growing experiences and not just tumult. Continue reading to see what you can do to help your troubled teen.
Seek treatment options
For too long, mental illness in teens has been treated simply as an issue of character rather than health. In spite of the stigma attached to mental illness, it is far from an uncommon problem. It is estimated that more than one in five teens experience a severe mental health issue, so the matter is a prevalent one.
As a parent, it is of the utmost that you pay attention to the moods and behaviors of your teen. You may notice that they’re isolating themselves from family and friends, eating too much or not enough, or “acting out” of the norm. These are all symptoms that they are suffering from depression, anxiety, or even drug abuse.
During those teen years, your child is dangerously close to the age where missteps can follow them for the rest of their life. Juvenile detention centers and prisons are filled with teens and young adults who are suffering from untreated mental ailments. Seeking the proper treatment for your child can help them to avoid those potential pitfalls.
If your teen’s problems have become unmanageable for you, then you should look into treatment centers for teens. Some of them offer in-patient treatment and are geared towards helping adolescence navigate the murky waters of their coming of age. In-patient treatment isn’t ideal, but it’s better to be a resident at a treatment center than at a correctional facility.
Help them with their self-image
One of the harshest realities of adolescence is the cruelty toward each other that they’re capable of. During this period, they’re judged for everything from their social choices to their appearance. Even though you love your child the way they are, they may not feel as sure about themselves you are. You can play a prominent role in helping your child to develop a positive self-image, but you must be gentle about it.
If your child is overweight, then you should encourage them to get involved in athletics or even exercise with them. Turn it into a family thing so that they don’t feel picked on.
If they’re suffering from acne, then go ahead spend the extra bucks for top-shelf skin care products. If dental problems make them self-conscious about their smile, then invest in some Restorative Dental Care for them.
While all of these problems are cosmetic and subservient to vanity, fixing them could do wonders for your teen’s confidence. That confidence could make the difference in them being accepted by themselves and their peers.
Temper your care and concern with understanding
As a parent, you instinctively want to put on your superhero cape when you see your child is suffering or in trouble. While this urge to want to rush to their aid and solve their problems for them has a magnetic pull, you don’t want to be overbearing.
Your teen definitely needs your love and support, but they also need for you to recognize that they’re passing into adulthood. It is time to take the “kid gloves” off and give them room to figure some things out for themselves. The trust that you show in them to solve their own issues will be converted into resilience and self-assurance for them in the long haul.
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