Have you noticed a change in your teen’s mentality lately? Are they disengaging from you or the hobbies they used to enjoy and enjoy? It could be many things, but one thing is for sure, their mental health is affected. Getting to the bottom of it ranges from simple to complex solutions.
Starting with a few basic steps is the best way to eliminate negative behavior and get things back on track as quickly as possible.
Visit your local community mental health center
Do you suspect your teen has more problems that only stem from school and friendship problems? If so, there may be an underlying mental disorder that triggers certain negative behaviors. A good place to start is your local community mental health center. Most of these agencies are government or state funded and in many cases can be free if you are financially qualified.
Your teen will receive an evaluation by a trained mental health professional. From there, the counselor will recommend the best treatment and possible referral to a psychologist or doctor who can adequately diagnose which forms of mental illness or conditions may trigger negative symptoms. Community mental health centers are also a good resource for counseling or referrals to drug or drug treatment women’s rehabilitation center in the area.
Arrange More Quality Time Together
For family members, especially those with teenagers, it’s easy to lose track of one another when you have a busy lifestyle. From work to school and extracurricular activities, it can be difficult to find time to connect with your teen. Setting aside some extra time to do things together as a family may be able to fill the empty space your child has in his life and turn negative attitudes into better behaviors.
Positive relationships may make him less likely to turn to drugs or alcohol. Plan a weekend staycation or a full day of personal activities. This could include visiting amusement parks or museums. It offers a change of scenery and a chance to reconnect if the two of you have trouble getting together during the week.
Get a Complete Physical Examination
Asking your teen to visit their family doctor or pediatrician is another way to get closer to finding solutions to altered mental status. If your son or daughter is experiencing certain symptoms, it could be a sign of a more prominent medical problem. Symptoms can include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Depression or lack of interest in daily activities
- Trouble sleeping
- Addictive or habit-forming behavior
- Lack of concentration
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain
- Skin changes
- Frequent urination
An exam that includes a physical exam, as well as a complete blood panel exam, can help determine whether a medical problem is causing mental health symptoms. Some medical problems can also cause impulsive behavior that can trigger cravings for drugs or alcohol.
Talk to the School Counselor
If your son or daughter is hanging out with the wrong people and getting into a lot of trouble at school, it’s important to get in touch with the teacher and counselor. Keeping the lines of communication open is the best way to help your teen and come up with positive solutions that will benefit him both personally and academically. Visit your child’s teacher as often as possible and request group meetings with the school psychologist to get proper feedback and professional recommendations on what will work best.
Understanding why your child is acting or engaging in negative, destructive behavior starts with getting professional help. Don’t feel burdened that you can’t solve your teen’s behavior problems on your own. Keeping in touch with each other and letting help in is the best way to go towards a positive future.
