Counseling for Teens
Why is it hard to be a teen?
Adolescence is a time of rapid physical, emotion, and social change. Young people must deal with the normal challenges of increased responsibilities and greater independence. While every generation has had its unique issues, today's young people are often especially anxious about their ability to survive as adults given these hard economic times. The cost of higher education is rapidly increasing, many parents are less able to afford to pay the high costs of college, jobs are less available and the competition greater.
Well-being is related to a person's genetics and temparament, parenting and family life, life events, and physical and emotional health. Problems can stem from traumatic events, normal life challenges, and even from our own thoughts.
Symptoms that might indicate a need for counseling:
Mood
Severity and intensity of mood
Duration of sadness, grief, anxiety, or depression
Impact of mood on school performance
Impact of mood on family and peer relationships
Changes in attitude or behavior related to mood
A change in the degree of nervousness or fear
Any talk of self-harm or suicidal talk or plans
Any signs of cutting or other self-harm behaviors
Any sudden, unexplainable change in mood
Thoughts
Self-blaming or excessive guilt
Decrease in confidence
Negative talk about self
Dwelling or obsessing on a thought or an issue
Hopelessness or apathy
Excessive worries about weight, size, or shape
Decrease in ability to concentrate or focus
Behavior
Sudden changes in behavior patterns
Excessive sleep or tiredness
Lack of ability or desire to sleep
Decline in school performance
Decline in cooperation at home
Withdrawn or avoidant behavior
Excessive tardies or absences at school
A change in peer group that seems to relate to behavior problems
Signs of drug or alcohol use or abuse
Self-Care
Loss of concern about appearance
Refusal or unusual resistance to bathing
Restricting food or drink
Hiding food or eating in secret
Sudden changes in cleanliness standards for bedroom