Mental disorders in teenagers and adolescents are a significantly common issue. Worldwide, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experience depression or anxiety accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease in this age group. The usual ones are mood, attention and behavior problems. They translate into adulthood when left untreated and unrecognized. This can subsequently restrict the opportunities of living a wholesome and productive life.
A few common ones in teens are:
- Borderline personality disorder
- Trauma and PTSD
- Substance use disorder
- Teen trauma and PTSD
- Eating disorders
They could be a direct result of social harassment like physical and cyber-bullying. It may also be due to verbal/sexual abuse at learning institutes and playgrounds. These tremendously distressing experiences can shatter the confidence of young adults. Other issues are break-ups, death of loved ones, parents’ divorce, exam pressure, financial uncertainty and self-doubts. These events can push them to take drastic steps. A 2019 Youth Behavioral Risk Factor Survey found that 18.8% of students nationwide reported serious suicide attempts. As a parent, here’s what you can do to help your child overcome life stressors.
Child Psychotherapy
Counseling is an effective way to get inside the mind of teens and children. An expert can help anyone grappling with peer pressure, competency insecurities and body image issues by relating the causes back to their effects and providing effective therapy. Make sure the counselor is in close contact with you, the parent, and work together to improve the bond between you and the child. Consider booking an appointment for your family along with the teen or adolescent to offer treatment in a collaborative, loving and structured way. It can also help little ones with learning and physical disabilities to gain patience and confidence and overcome their daily struggles with care and support.
Child and Family Therapy
Family counseling with a child is often a form of ‘parenting training’. This can be appropriate for the child at the beginning of the adult identity formation. Look for one-on-one sessions where the specialized therapists will be able to establish rapport with the concerned individual and influence them in a positive manner. The best ones offer therapeutic talks and interactions to help come out of a sad, angry, confused, or painful state of mind.
No wonder the behavioral therapy market size is forecasted to touch $187.4 billion by 2025 growing at a CAGR of 8.4% between 2020-2025. Respondent conditioning explanations and cognitive therapy can be used individually or in combination to treat children with a range of mental health issues. Now parents are less likely to see incidents of self-harm, low self-esteem, and post-traumatic symptoms in their children.
Invest time and efforts in the child and acknowledge their disappointments. Listen and empathize with them as much as possible. Be available for them and accompany them for every therapy session. Eat meals together and have warm and loving conversations. All of these little gestures will show them that you are there for them against all odds. This helps build a happy and positive parent-child relationship.