Mental illness knows no age limit. Anyone at any age can suffer with mental illness, even kids and teenagers. As parents, family members, and caregivers of teens, it’s important to be familiar with the signs of mental illness. If we catch the symptoms early and get the teen help, it will save the child years of agony and will also prevent suicide.
When I was a teenager, mental illness wasn’t talked about much. Parents didn’t know a lot about mental illness and had no idea how to help their children. Mental illness wasn’t even discussed in schools. When I was struggling with mental illness, I didn’t know what was happening to me. My parents knew something was wrong, but they didn’t know what. I also kept my feelings to myself because I feared my parents wouldn’t understand.
Now society has brought more awareness to mental illness and it is discussed in some schools, but stigma clouds peoples’ minds. I want to make everyone aware of the symptoms of mental illness in teens so we can prevent them from suffering into adulthood. If they receive treatment as teens, they can reach recovery sooner.
Below are some of the signs of mental illness in teens:
- Problems with concentration, memory, or ability to think clearly
- Changes in appetite
- Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or worthless (I was sad, and I thought I was worthless as a teenager. I struggled with feelings of hopelessness also.)
- Loss of interest in things that they used to enjoy (As a teen I once enjoyed going outside and spending time with family, but suddenly that joy faded and all I felt was deep sadness. I spent more time hiding in my room.)
- Excessive worry (I worried constantly sometimes so often that it kept me up at night. I am still a worrier, but now I have coping techniques to deal with it.)
- Irritability or restlessness (I was grumpy often as a teen. I was irritated with the simplest things.)
- Changes in sleep (I had problems sleeping at night. I spent most of my nights either fighting to fall asleep or having nightmares.)
- Angry outbursts (It didn’t take much to set me off into an angry outburst. I threw things, argued with my parents, and got into fights with my siblings.)
- Not wanting to be around people or take part in activities (I spent a lot of time alone. I didn’t go to school activities, but that was mostly because I was afraid I would be bullied if I went.)
Other things to look out for:
- Hearing or seeing things that other people don’t like hearing voices or having hallucinations
- Extreme panic
- Onset of new behaviors or rituals that are repeated
- Mood swings or frequent shifts in energy (My moods changed quickly. I went from being all right to being angry and depressed.)
- Changes in how they dress–if your child starts wearing long pants and sleeves in hot weather, or hats all of a sudden, they could be hiding signs of self-injury like cutting or hair pulling. (In my child and teenage years I punched things and pulled my hair. I never hurt myself bad enough that others would notice. In college I started cutting and hiding it with long sleeve shirts.)
These were found on Mental Health America website Know the Signs: Recognizing Mental Health Concerns in Kids and Teens | Mental Health America (mhanational.org).
Teens think parents are embarrassing and often don’t confide in them, so parents need to be extra aware of these signs that something is wrong. If you see any of these symptoms in your teens, take action by getting them mental health screening; look into therapy and a psychiatrist. Let your teen know you sense something is wrong and you’re willing to listen. Tell them if they don’t feel comfortable talking to you then it is okay for them to confide in others. Getting your teen help as soon as possible will help them reach recovery sooner instead of struggling into adulthood.
My parents would have done anything in their power to help me if they had known more about mental illness and if I would have told them what was going on with me. If I knew what mental illness was, I may have been able to communicate to my parents what was going on. So, educate your children about mental illness. Don’t believe the stigma that follows this illness. Do some research.
Get immediate help for your child if they are threatening suicide, obsessing over death, withdrawing from life, exhibiting drastic personality changes, and increasing use of alcohol or drugs. This can also be found on the Mental Health America website.
When I was in college, I hit rock bottom of my mental illness and I finally confided in my mom. She went to great lengths to get me help. If it weren’t for her, I would not be in recovery. I can’t thank my mom enough. Thanks to her I am standing in the light of recovery surrounded by her enduring love.
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