Humans love to label things. We have a deeply ingrained tendency to classify and categorize objects, situations, and even people. On the one hand, labeling helps us to make sense of the world. Without this ability, we’d quickly get overwhelmed in every new encounter. Unfortunately, our tendency to label people can be very limiting or damaging to others, especially to
Read moreHave you ever noticed that we are quicker to notice the negative than the positive? Your teen might be having a great day at school when a classmate makes an insulting comment. Even though their day was overall quite good, they tell you it was terrible because they are still stewing over that one negative incident. Or maybe your teen
Read moreNot all abusive relationships are romantic. Not all abuse victims are women. Not all abuse is physical. Abuse is a pattern of behavior used by one person to gain and maintain power and control over another person. Friends can be just as likely to abuse their peers as love interests, and manipulation and harsh words can be just as likely
Read moreWhen asked what a child or teen with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) might behave like, many people might use words such as “hyper,” “full of energy,” “inattentive” or even “destructive” to describe these individuals. While this can often be the case, there are several other symptoms that sometimes go unnoticed in children and teens with ADHD, especially girls. Lack
Read moreMoving is one of life’s top stressors. Giving up the familiar—friends, favorite places, and routines— is not easy for anyone and can cause fear, sadness and stress. Teens are especially prone to these feelings because they are very focused on fitting in with their peers. Being the new kid is very challenging. It’s important to acknowledge your teenager’s feelings with
Read moreWithin the past decade, mental health problems in teens have been increasing at a rapid rate. A new report from the United Hospital Fund shows that 6.7 million U.S. adolescents have at least one behavioral health condition. Some of these mental health conditions may include depression, anxiety, and ADHD. While these numbers might seem alarming, the good news is that
Read moreIt is a natural human desire to have some sense of control over our own lives. Having control gives us a feeling of order, stability, and safety. Research consistently shows that when people believe they have choices and can change their circumstances, they feel more hopeful and optimistic about the future. We tend to fight against anyone, or any situation,
Read moreAmerican media is full of troubling images and messages. Whether it’s video games, movies, social media, or other media outlets, our youth are bombarded with negativity. For example: The repeated exposure to disturbing media desensitizes children, and adults as well, to the negative emotional reactions that these experiences would normally produce. Studies have shown that, after enough exposures, the physiological
Read moreHave you seen examples of parents shaming their kids on social media? Some parents share details about a teen’s misadventures on their Facebook page, call out troubling behavior on their teen’s Instagram, or announce escalating consequences for anyone to see. While this public behavior is dramatic, it’s actually not uncommon for parents to try to shame their children into better
Read moreThere has been an uptick in teens posting about difficult experiences, challenging feelings, or emotional topics. For some teens, this is a way to be authentic or raise awareness about something they care about. For others, it can be a cry for help as they struggle with mental health issues. And for some, it can simply be attention-seeking behavior, which
Read moreWhat your teen sees when they look in the mirror can impact their mental and physical health, including how active they are and their risk for an eating disorder. According to the National Institutes of Health nearly half of children and teens have body image issues. And it’s no wonder since our society has an image-driven culture that focuses on
Read moreAccording to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most teens who use drugs are searching for calm and trying to relieve stress. Mental health challenges among teens, which have been increasing over the last decade, seem to significantly influence substance abuse. The study used data from 15,963 health assessments of 13- to 18-year-olds evaluated for substance
Read moreAnxiety is an epidemic among today’s youth. While it’s always a good idea for anyone with anxiety to seek counseling, mental health professionals are unfortunately in high demand and expensive, so that’s not always an option. If you have a teen who is suffering from anxiety, and you haven’t been able to get them into therapy, this blog is for
Read moreAlthough our culture pushes the holidays as a joyous time, the reality can sometimes be different. Hectic schedules can make us feel stressed. There is pressure to spend money we don’t have for gifts. A change in the family, from divorce or death, can rekindle grief during this time. The winter weather can give us the blues. The change in
Read moreLosing a pet, friend, family member, or other loved one is heartbreaking, and the emotional rollercoaster that follows can be overwhelming. Grief is a natural process and a necessary part of healing, but that doesn’t make it easier. The holidays can be an especially difficult time to deal with grief. If you have a teen who is grieving, it’s important to remember
Read moreAdolescence is an emotional roller coaster, and it can seem like teens have over-the-top reactions. For parents, the constant turmoil can be frustrating. But, it’s important to understand that most teenage drama has to do with biology. Brain development and hormonal shifts lead to mood swings that are often beyond a teen’s ability to control. Some teen drama is a way to
Read moreIt’s normal for everyone to wonder about their purpose. Unfortunately, our mind can spiral to a darker place, getting to the point where you wonder, “What is the point of life?” These feelings can sometimes lead to or accompany depression or hopelessness. As a parent, it can feel scary when a teenager wonders if there’s any purpose to life. They
Read moreThe U.S. Surgeon General recently issued an advisory that social media is hurting our nation’s children. Social media causes teens to lose sleep, withdraw from face-to-face interactions, spend too much time staring at screens, and engage with content that is making them anxious and depressed. Unfortunately, 95% of teens between 13 and 17 have a smartphone, so there’s a general feeling among parents
Read moreOur nation faces a provider shortage in the mental health field at the exact same time that our nation’s youth are suffering from an epidemic of mental health illnesses. The CDC says that 80% of youth who need treatment have no access to a specialized mental health provider. Additionally, it takes years for people to qualify as mental health counselors,
Read moreLast week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the results of their Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The survey, which has been conducted every other year for three decades, includes responses from 17,232 U.S. high school students and measures adolescent health and well-being. Collected in fall 2021, these survey responses represent the first data collected by CDC since
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