Subscription Services

 

print article Print     e-mail article E-mail
Published January 27, 2013, 12:00 AM

Mental illness and teens

What to look for

  • Feelings of worthlessness

  • Feelings of anxiousness, intense worry or sadness

  • Extreme fear and/or unexplained fear

  • Changes in school, including with grades and behavior

  • Loss of interest in normal activities like hobbies

  • Social isolation

  • A lack of interest in family and friends

  • Changes in sleep patterns or eating habits (too much or too little)

  • Increased mood swings, anger, irritability and/or impulsiveness

  • Loss of focus and concentration

  • Talking about suicide

  • Obsessive dieting or extreme exercising

  • Destroying property or breaking the law

  • Using alcohol or drugs

  • Hearing voices


    What to do

  • Have someone close to the teen, perhaps a friend or family member, approach them and let them know they are concerned; the person should be non-judgmental, calm, caring and empathic

  • Let them know mental illness is treatable

  • Let them know there is help available

  • Help them get in touch with resources to help, including local agencies or therapists


    Source: Diane Lang, an author, speaker, psychotherapist and adjunct professor at Montclair State University in New Jersey,

    in a written statement last week to the News Tribune Opinion page

    Tags: , 

    More from around the web