Page 18 - AreaNewsletters "Nov 2021" issue

Obviously, nobody wants to be the parent of the kid featured on Doctor Phil for exhibiting exuberant amounts of dysfunction; but at the same time, how do you know when you might need the help of a professional? Can you “catch it” before behavior goes off the rails? Here are some signs that adding a mental health professional to your village might be a good idea, and before the excrement truly hits the fan:
Have you ever stared at your teen
and wondered, “Wait, is this the moment we go to therapy?”
Teen relationships are certainly stereotyped to be full of drama, but anything that is overly volatile could indicate there are other factors at play. For today’s teens, that absolutely extends to the digital world and social media; recognize your teen might have a “finsta” or an account used widely and another account for a much narrower audience. Open conversation about mental health and social media should be ongoing.
Dramatic shifts in mood that don’t seem to have an obvious reason. Remember, hormonal shifts can cause mood swings, but if your child is simply chronically in a funk, it might be time to talk to a professional; likewise, if your adolescent is normally excited about a sport or activity, but suddenly they don’t want to participate, it could indicate something is going on.
You catch them in lies. They might be small, they might be big, but you realize they have no interest in telling you the truth even when it’s likely you’ll uncover the truth without much digging.
Sudden changes in social life can also indicate a problem.
Sudden changes in diet and/or sleep patterns might also indicate something is going on, especially if it has become almost ritualized, to the point that deviating from that ritual causes panic. For example, if someone is struggling with bulimia, they might very well “brush their teeth” exactly three minutes after dinner. Suggesting a trip to get ice cream after dinner before brushing teeth might be a horrifying thought, even when the person in question loves ice cream.
Here’s the deal: the red flags could be waiving so loudly your role as the parent is abundantly clear: get help now. However, the opposite could also be true: the red flags could be faint
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November 2021 • Castle Rock “AreaNewsletters”
18
HEALTH • WELLNESS • LIFESTYLE
SOM SIGNS
your teen might need
E
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