Adolescent Mental Health: 5 Warning Signs that You Cannot Ignore

Teenagers often exhibit behaviors that exasperate parents, but that doesn't mean that they all have mental health issues or need professional counseling. Some of the milder issues, such as teasing a sibling, listening to totally obnoxious music with words that a parent cannot understand, and forgetting to take out the trash are all things that you can figure out for yourself.

But what about the more troubling concerns? The ones that keep you awake at night. The following signs are five indicators that your adolescent may be experiencing a mental health problem and that he or she should be seen by a mental health professional immediately. These signs are not inclusive, but are certainly problem areas that need to be addressed.

1. Thinking or talking about suicide. In 2007, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) reported that the suicide rate for young people ages one to nineteen had increased by 18.2 percent from 2003 to 2004. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in the United States for fifteen to twenty-year-olds and the sixth leading cause of death for five to fourteen-year-olds. Approximately two million teenagers attempt suicide each year, and almost 700,000 require medical attention for their attempt. Unfortunately, the rate of death by suicide may actually be higher than reported because some of these deaths may have been incorrectly labeled "accidents". People considering suicide give warning signs, often hoping that they will be rescued. If your child or adolescent tells you that he or she feels suicidal or wants to die, take them seriously. Do not think that it is "just a joke" or a way to get attention. You cannot take that chance.

2. Expressions of worthlessness or guilt. Sadness, expressed as feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, sadness and/or loneliness, should not be ignored. Thoughts of being unworthy, or unable to help their situation, of feeling profound sadness or lonely or alone in this world may be your adolescent's way of telling you that he or she feels that there is nothing left for live for.

3. Abuse of alcohol and/or drugs. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that in 2003, the average age of first use of alcohol was 14 years, compared to 17 1/2 in 1965. Experimenting with drugs and alcohol during adolescence is common, and teenagers use substances for a variety of reasons, including curiosity, because it feels good or they think it will make them appear grown up, and because is seen as a way to reduce stress.

While there is no way to know ahead of time who will learn to consume alcohol and/or drugs safely and who will go on to an addicted state, adolescents who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21. Some warning signs of teen substance abuse include unusual or unexpected fatigue, red or glazed eyes, changes in personality, poor judgment, breaking rules or starting arguments, dropping grades in school, and troubles with the law. If you're seeing these signs in your child, address the problem.

Abuse of animals. Many children go through a stage during which they may innocently harm insects or other small animals in the process of exploring their world. Most children, however, receive guidance from their parents and teachers and develop empathy and concern for the pain that animals can suffer. Unfortunately, some may become locked into a lifetime pattern of cruelty that will extend on to cruelty toward humans.

A 1997 study done by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Northeastern University showed that those who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people and four times more likely to commit property crimes than are individuals without a history of animal abuse. An FBI analysis from the 1970s of the lives of serial killers suggested that most serial killers had killed or tortured animals as children. Other research shows consistent patterns of animal cruelty among perpetrators of more common forms of violence, including child abuse, spouse abuse, and elder abuse. The American Psychiatric Association considers animal cruelty to be one of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder.

Extreme highs and lows. It used to be believed that bipolar disorder affected mostly adults. These days, however, more children and adolescents are being diagnosed with the disorder, and the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) conservatively estimates that at least three quarters of a million American children and teenagers, mostly undiagnosed, may currently suffer from bipolar disorder.

While bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, can affect anyone, if one or both parents have bipolar disorder, the chances are greater that their children will develop it. A family history of drug or alcohol abuse may also be associated with bipolar disorder in adolescents. Manic (high) symptoms include severe changes in mood (either unusually happy or silly, or very irritable, angry, agitated or aggressive); unrealistic highs in self-esteem (feeling grandiose or that he or she has special powers; having a great increase in energy and functioning with little or no sleep for several days without feeling tired; and repeatedly exhibiting high-risk behaviors, such as abusing alcohol and drugs, reckless driving, or sexual promiscuity.

Depressive (low) symptoms include irritability, depressed mood, persistent sadness, and/or frequent crying; loss of enjoyment in favorite activities; low energy level, fatigue, poor concentration, and/or complaints of boredom; and major changes in eating or sleeping patterns, such as oversleeping or overeating.

These signs are not all inclusive, and if you are concerned that your child may have an emotional or behavioral problem, seek the advice of a mental health professional. If you see any of the signs above, seek that help immediately. The life you save may be your child's.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Teen Suicide Increase Causes Great Concern for American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - http://www.aacap.org/cs/2007_press_releases/teen_suicide_increase_causes_great_concern_for_american_academy_of_child_and_adolescent_psychiatry

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - Underage Drinking: Why do Adolescents Drink What are the Risks, and How Can Underage Drinking Be Prevented? - http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA67/AA67.htm

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) - Human Abuse - Cruelty to Animals - http://www.helpinganimals.com/ga_humanAbuse.asp

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation - Pediatric Bipolar Disorder Fact Sheet -

http://www.bpkids.org/site/PageServer?pagename=fd_fact