Navigating the world as a teenager is already hard enough without having to add mental health issues into the mix. Being a teen with a mental health disorder can be particularly hard. This is especially true when it comes to the post-COVID-19 landscape.
Having a mental health disorder during the teenage years can not only interfere with the quality of your future but can also have serious effects in the interim. Without proper treatment, a mental health disorder in the teen years can eventually perpetuate other disorders.
It is vital to seek help as soon as possible if you think you know a teen that is struggling. Here at Roots Through Recovery, we have several options that can help teens manage their mental health disorders, mitigate new mental health issues from occurring in the future and get them on the right path toward a long and healthy recovery.
What Constitutes a Mental Health Disorder?
First, let us define mental health. Have you ever really thought about what mental health really constitutes? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines mental health as “[O]ur emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.”
What exactly is a mental health disorder? Well, there are many specific classifications of mental health disorders. However, it might help to think of a mental health disorder under the broader spectrum as anytime something internally interrupts our “emotional, psychological, and social well-being.” Sadly these “interruptions” are becoming more and more common in teens.
According to the CDC, “1 in 5 children, either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness.” Quite frankly, that is a staggering statistic. It is one that we aim to lower every chance we get at Roots Through Recovery.
Common Mental Health Disorders in Teens
There are over 200 types of defined mental health disorders. Some common mental health disorders that can occur in teens include the following:
- Anxiety and depression
- Substance use disorder (SUD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
As you can see, just from this small snippet of potential teen mental health disorders, some serious issues need to be addressed. Sadly, many people ignore addressing teen mental health disorders because they are often shrugged off and disregarded as “just a part of growing up.”
Getting Past the Stigma of Teen Mental Health
It can be challenging to see your child or a teenager you love struggling in life. However, that does not mean that these struggles should be swept under the rug or minimized. It is essential to take these struggles seriously. It is also important to get teens the help they need as soon as you feel there may be a mental health disorder occurring.
Many teenagers don’t want to admit that they may be having problems with their mental health. They may fear ridicule from their peers or even family members if they admit that they are struggling. This is why it is crucial to explain to them that struggling with mental health is something that millions of teens go through every day.
It is also important to get them in touch with the types of people and support groups that will help them feel comfortable about what they may be going through. Like anyone, teens need a safe space to be fully honest about any mental health issues they are struggling with.
What to Look For if You Feel a Teen Is Struggling With Mental Health
There are several red flags to look out for if you feel that a teen may be struggling with their mental health. Some of these warning signs include:
- An inability to focus or concentrate on anything for an extended period
- A change in sleeping or eating patterns
- An inability to find pleasure in activities that they once found enjoyable
- Talking about self-harm or harming others
- Acting overly anxious or depressed
- Expressing feelings of not wanting to live anymore or thoughts of suicide
As you can see, these are some severe warning signs. This is why it can be pivotal that you seek help for a teen who is struggling right away. The good news is there are several ways to help teens struggling with mental health disorders recover now.
How Roots Through Recovery Can Help
Here at Roots Through Recovery, our clients’ mental health and well-being are our number one priority. This is no different when it comes to our teen clients.
We have the advantage of offering a wide array of treatments and therapies that can be utilized individually or in tandem to help our clients best succeed. From holistic treatment to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and from the pharmacological to the neuroscientific, we have all the tools and resources at our disposal to help teens overcome their mental health disorders.
Civil Rights icon and former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, once said, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” That is why we aim to do everything we can to help teens get the help they need.
Being a teenager struggling with a mental health disorder can be devastating for everyone involved. Being a teenager is already difficult enough, but adding mental health issues into the picture can bring increased anxiety, loneliness, and uncertainty. Sadly, the truth is that teens are struggling with mental health more than at any other time in recorded history. However, for teenagers struggling with mental illness, there is a solution. If you or a teenager you love struggles with mental health issues, you are not alone. Roots Through Recovery is here to help. To learn more about how we can help teens with their mental health, call us today at (562) 473-0827.
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