It’s Not Just Puberty – Important Signs of Mental Health Disorders in Teens

The teenage years can be difficult for both children and parents. While your child’s body changes in multiple ways, it’s not always easy to tell what’s normal and what’s not. According to medical statistics, one area of health that often goes undiagnosed is mental health.

While more than 1 in 5 children between the ages of 9 and 17 has a mental health disorder, many of them aren’t diagnosed until adulthood. To keep this from happening to your child, here’s what you need to know. 

Why Are Teenagers Affected By Mental Health Disorders?

The answer to this question is not a simple one. As your child’s mental health and cognition develop, some disorders will become more obvious.

In some cases, mental health disorders are set off by the changes in hormone levels that come with puberty.

In others, environmental or lifestyle changes such as new school, new learning expectations, or peer pressure can be the cause. 

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To complicate matters further, certain mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and phobia are generally known to start presenting at an early age. 

Common Mental Health Disorders in Teenagers

Instead of listing every single possible disorder that can affect teenagers, health professionals find it easier to group them. These are the mental health disorders that are most likely to affect children between the ages of 9 and 17. 

• Anxiety disorders – General anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Mood disorders – Major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Disruptive behavior disorders – Conduct disorder and oppositional-defiant disorder.
• Personality disorders – Paranoia, anti-social behaviors, and borderline personality disorder.
• Eating disorders – Bulimia, anorexia, and binge-eating.
• Thought disorders – Delusions, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder.

Of course, as medical information is updated, this list will continue to grow so it’s best to keep up-to-date with what’s happening.

Typical Signs of a Mental Health Disorder in Teenagers

The signs you’ll need to look out for will vary according to the mental health disorder so it’s unlikely that you’ll see everything on the list. However, these are a few of the common signs persons may notice. 

• Chronic or persistent sadness that lasts for more than two weeks
• Unexplained weight loss
• Difficulty sleeping
• Avoiding social activities or seeing other people
• Missing school
• Irritable outbursts
• Hurting themselves or talking about consistently
• Sudden obsession with death
• Harmful or out-of-control behavior
• Changes in eating habits
• Significant changes in mood, personality, or behavior
• Difficulty focusing or concentrating
• Frequent headaches or stomachaches
• Significant changes in academic performance

You should also pay special attention to your child if there’s been a significant change in their lives or there’s a history of mental health disorders in the family.

How Parents Can Help

It’s definitely a good idea to make note of any changes you see in your child. One or two small things might not seem significant but that can change when you’re looking at a list of issues that have concerned you. Doctors recommend that you maintain open communication with your child.

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The aim is to dig deeper into what could be troubling them. If you’re not sure what to ask them, using online checklists can help. 

Finally, remember that you’re not in it alone. When you schedule your child’s annual check-up, share your concerns with the doctor.

While GPs might not be able to diagnose a mental health disorder, they have the tools that can help to determine if a referral is needed. With your permission, they can talk to your child in private and give an objective answer to your concerns. 

Don’t be surprised if doctors suggest proceeding with caution regarding personality disorders. As you may expect, personalities change over time and it can be difficult to diagnose these kinds of disorders until later when your child’s personality is more defined.

Teenagers can be affected by a variety of mental health disorders. If these are diagnosed early, they can be handled effectively and prevent harmful behaviors. Keep an eye out for the signs on this list and if you have any concerns, talk to your child’s doctor right away.