What are the most common mental health-related teen problems?
Some of the more common problems experienced by teens are depression, stress, eating disorders, substance abuse and behavior/social problems. Because the teen years are characterized by an abundance of physical, social and emotional changes, they tend to be a tumultuous time full of change. Change often brings on stress and depression, which can contribute to other problems such as substance abuse, sleeping and eating problems. How can a parent tell if a teen is having life problems? It’s important for parents to look and listen when their children become teenagers. They need to look closely at their teen’s life—what are his or her interests, who are his or her friends, where does he or she spend time, how is he or she eating and sleeping, and how is he or she coping socially. Beyond being aware of what is going on in the teen’s life, parents should listen to their child. By encouraging teens to talk about their lives, parents gain invaluable clues as to how the teen is adjusting to th
