Raising a Teenager? 3 Problems to Look Out For

Teenagers are often happy to lock themselves inside their room and may only leave for food or the bathroom. Once their bedroom door is closed, you might feel a million miles away from your son or daughter.

Unfortunately, teenage years are filled with raging hormones, emotional battles, and peer pressure, which could cause you many sleepless nights. Rather than waiting for your teen to come to you, you must monitor their behavior to spot and stop an issue. If you’re unsure what to look for, here are three problems to monitor when raising a teenager.

1. Cyberbullying

Bullying doesn’t only happen inside the school gates. In today’s modern world, it often extends online. While you might feel helpless when your son or daughter hides inside their bedroom, there are some clear bullying or cyberbullying signs, which you can look out for, such as:

• Anxiety when you touch their devices

• Emotional outbursts

• Health changes – they might lose or gain weight

• Depression or anxiety

• Fear of school

• Bad grades

If you have a suspicion that your child is a victim of cyberbullying, you should encourage your child to talk to you and discuss the problem. Also, you must monitor their devices and social media platforms to identify if they are the target of harmful posts or messages online. 

2. Depression

Depression is becoming an increasingly common problem among US teens between 12 to 17 years old. According to a 2017 study, an incredible 3.2 million teens said they experienced at least one depressive episode in the past year. It was an increase from 2 million in a 2007 study.

Depression can stem from different factors, such as a teen’s environment or lifestyle. However, a hormonal or chemical imbalance in the brain could be the culprit. Regardless of the reason, your teen must receive the help they need to overcome depression and live a happier life. 

Common signs to look for if someone is depressed:

• Angry outbursts and irritability

• A lack of self-worth

• Unhealthy habits

• Poor concentration and motivation

• Sleeping problems

The best solution to address this problem is to get the best treatment for depression for your teen as soon as possible. A residential treatment center could help your son or daughter overcome trauma, tackle depression, or alleviate anxiety.

3. An Eating Disorder

3.8% of female teens and 1.5% of male teens in the United States reportedly have an eating disorder, such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. An eating disorder cannot only lead to significant weight loss or gain, but it can cause life-threatening health issues.

Many teenagers will struggle with an eating disorder due to low self-esteem, a fear of weight gain, a desire to have more control over their lives or emotional distress. They will likely struggle with depression, an anxiety disorder, or substance abuse, too. It is important to learn about each potential disorder to spot the signs in your teen. 

For example, common anorexia signs include:

• Dieting when thin or emaciated

• Compulsive exercising

• Fear of being overweight

• Rapid weight loss

• Strange eating habits

• A lack of interest in food

There are different treatment options to help both teenagers and adults overcome an eating disorder. For example, they could benefit from behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, behavioral modification, or medication. Speak to a professional today to see how you can help your teen overcome this.