Three Indicators That Your Teen Needs Therapy
With some teenagers you may find that they go through their adolescence years without much trouble. However, with others puberty may come swiftly and in a manner that causes a child to change and nothing feels the same for the parents. You may find as a parent that you’ve asked yourself what you could have or should have done with regards you teen. You may lay blame with others “She/He acts just like her/his mom/father.” Instead of blaming yourself for not doing enough or blaming your child’s action on your spite. You want to find a better solution. Blaming your teenager for their behavior won’t help much either and could easily make things worse. So, how can you differentiate between a teen that just being angsty and one that may need professional help? There are three indicators that your teen needs therapy.
Chronic Substance Abuse
As you probably are already well aware, experimentation with alcohol and drugs during the teenage years is quite typical. However, if you notice that your child has been coming home high or drunk on a regular basis. Some parents choose to allow their children to experiment during those years because they also did or they talk with them about the importance of avoiding and refusing drugs an alcohol. If there is a regularity in your child being at home under the influence or coming home from a social outing drunk you may be facing a serious issue. You will want to take immediate action (especially if you have a family history or alcoholism or drug abuse). Getting a handle on your child’s drug or alcohol use and finding the root of the issue that’s causing them to feel the need to drink will make it easier to allow them to create coping mechanisms that are healthy.
Self Harm
If you have found evidence that your teenager is hitting, cutting or hurting themselves in some manner it could indicate that they are struggling with a psychic imbalance or turmoil. Self harming is your teen’s way of being able to cope and relieve themselves of their emotions through the use of pain. It can become a habitual escape route that can only get worse over time. They may escalate from cutting to worse behaviors that can be life threatening.
Suicide Attempts or Idealization
One of the worst ways to react if your child is claiming that they feel suicidal or have admitted to attempting suicide is to assume they are ‘being dramatic’ or ‘overemotional’. If you choose to classify your child as ‘dramatic’ it could come at a regretful and devastating cost. Teen suicide attempts have only continue to rise in recent years so taking your child seriously should be the first and only response that you have.
If you would like to learn more about the programs and admissions process at Insight Treatment you can do so by calling (888) 295-9995. No child should have to struggle with addiction, self harm or thoughts of suicide.