Mental health issues are a very broad category of illnesses and disorders, and while warning signs are a helpful way to tell when you should pay more attention to your teen’s behavior, it’s important to note that a warning sign should never be considered a clear indication of a mental health disorder. If your teen is exhibiting any of the symptoms below, get them a referral with a mental health specialist and speak to your family doctor/psychiatrist/pediatrician.
- Extreme risk-taking behavior
- Self-harm, talking about self-harm
- Suicidal ideation and attempts
- Sudden and excessive weight loss, not eating at all, use of laxatives
- Sudden weight gain, constant snacking, overeating
- Severe mood swings, uncontrolled irritability
- Acting out violently
- Sudden moments of hyperventilation, discomfort, and panic
- Constant vocal worries about the same irrational fears
- Patterns of avoiding others or avoiding specific situations
- Socially withdrawing, no contact with others
- Prolonged sadness (for more than 2 weeks)
- Always feeling tired
- Severe insomnia
- Constant procrastination
- Unable to finish conversations, losing track of thoughts, stopping midway through sentences
- Drug and/or alcohol use, especially as a means to “self medicate” mental issues
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