5 Signs Your Teen May Be Struggling

Written by: Joe Jardine

So, your teenager has started to act a bit differently. Maybe they've been quieter than usual, or become more irritable and short-tempered. It's possible they've even expressed thoughts of wanting to hurt themselves. While it's definitely cause for concern, don't panic just yet. There may be an underlying reason for their behavior that warrants further investigation – namely, their mental health. Here are five signs that your teenager may be struggling with their mental health. Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, so if you're worried about your child, please reach out. We're professionals, and we'd love to talk.

1) Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks

One of the most common indicators of mental health issues in teenagers is difficulty concentrating or completing tasks. This could manifest itself as procrastination, poor academic performance, or an inability to stay on task in general. If you're noticing that your teenager is struggling in any of these areas, it's definitely worth investigating further and asking questions.

2) Withdrawing from friends and activities

Withdrawing from friends and activities can also be manifested by avoiding eye contact when speaking with someone they know well, not participating in group conversations (even if they are the topic), or shying away from social events where there will be more than one person present. It's difficult to watch your teen withdraw like this; so it's really important that you make it clear that you're a safe place for them.

3) Problems at School and Reckless Behavior

It's easy for your first reaction to be negative when you hear about them misbehaving at school or making poor choices. If your teen is engaging in risky activities or having trouble in school, it's worth looking into whether or not there may be an underlying issue. Before coming with a punishment ready, ask meaningful questions about what the root might be of their struggle.

4) Changes in Eating Habits or Weight

Teenagers are often faced with challenges that they may not always know how to cope with, a noticeable indicator of such a struggle is when there's a change in eating habits or weight. If your teen has been skipping meals or overeating for days on end, there may be an underlying problem that needs addressing before it becomes worse.

5) Difficulty Sleeping or Excessive Sleeping

It's not uncommon for teens to have trouble sleeping, but if your teenager is also struggling with mental health it can be a sign of something more serious.

Sleep difficulties could manifest as difficulty falling asleep, waking up too early in the morning and not being able to fall back asleep again, or oversleeping during the day. If you're noticing that your teen is struggling with sleep - even if they're managing to get enough hours - it might be time to talk about what's going on.

It can be really tough to tell when normal teenage behavior crosses the line into something more serious. If you’re worried that your teenager might be struggling with mental health issues, you don't have to do this alone! We want to help. Reach out to us either by email or social media, and let's do this together! We are experts and have helped hundreds overcome mental health barriers and live lives of passion, fulfillment and meaning. Seriously, we'd love to help!

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P.S. The first thing we tell almost any client to do, is to start doing what we call 3-2-1 journaling! We have a free PDF that you can print out with instructions for you or your teen to build this habit and get them on the right course!