Parents often worry about their teens behavior. It is the norm for teenagers to sometimes appear withdrawn and moody and in their own world, but this shouldn’t last for a long time or interfere with their functioning.
We all have needs, such as feeling safe, liked, understood, and supported and they show up in different ways. There are times, however, when mental health issues can arise when things don’t seem to be going as expected. Your child may be experiencing lack of confidence, anxiety, perhaps even being bullied. Talk to them and help them express their feelings and come up with solutions.
The following is a list of behaviors that might suggest a teenager is experiencing difficulties.
If you are concerned about any of them, talk to your child and get professional help.
- Becoming withdrawn and losing interest in friends, sports or favorite activities.
- Having changes in sleep patterns such as not sleeping or sleeping for long periods.
- Avoiding food, overeating or exercising excessively.
- Seeming to be preoccupied or obsessed over a particular issue.
- Having a change in mood such as becoming hostile or having feelings of anxiety or depression.
- Having a sudden drop in schoolwork.
- Doing things that don’t make sense to others.
- Seeing or hearing things that nobody else sees or hears.
- Being excessively tired or neglecting personal hygiene.
- Wearing long sleeve clothes in hot weather. It may suggest they are hiding signs of self-harm.
