As we all try to make our children take care of their health in general, we cannot neglect mental health. Because sometimes we don't pay special attention to them and when we do, it can be a bit late. According to certain studies one in five adolescents suffers from a mental disorder.
It seems that the estimate is higher than we would like to hear. Changes in adolescence can always lead to certain problems for young people, hence we must always be alert to all the signs. Today you will discover which are the most frequent and the problems that may be behind them.
Most common warning signs to find out if there is a mental disorder
Adolescents no longer want to be controlled at every step, but even so, we must focus all our senses on detecting all the signs that can inform us of a greater problem.
Sleep disorders
It is one of the most repeated signs, but as long as there is no other significant reason. In some cases it is insomnia that makes its appearance, but in others, excessive sleeping may also be the best indicator for alarms to go off when before it was not a habitual behavior.
Disinterest in their hobbies
What you were passionate about before, now no longer. Moreover, if asked, he will respond in a bad way because he knows that this disinterest is caused by something else. Leaving aside what you used to enjoy can be synonymous with a state of sadness that can lead to a bigger problem.
Low academic performance
In this case it happens like the previous one that we just mentioned. That is it is an unexpected change. When everything was going well, now he also does not pay attention to classes and less to doing his basic tasks. So it will be reflected both in the notes and in their behavior.
Changes in your diet
As the mental disorder can be from various causes, also those changes in your diet, the loss of appetite especially, is another indicator. Perhaps because it is linked to basic problems but also to a state of mind and low self-esteem.
Irritability
The vast majority of teenagers tend to be a little more irritable. Because those changes that they are feeling also make them part of a process that sometimes they don't even understand. But when it becomes too abrupt and habitual every day, then we also regard it as a red flag.
What are the problems to which the signals lead us
The major problems or disorders and illnesses they may face are the following:
The Depression
If we get to this point then we are talking about a serious condition. Hence, it is always convenient to pay attention to the previous signals. Isolation, sadness and crying will take hold of the young man. Coming to more complicated terms of not wanting to be with his friends, of not returning to his hobbies or even of hurting himself.
Anxiety disorders
It is one of the most frequent and within them we will find generalized anxiety, with social phobia, with agoraphobia, etc. It can present itself in many ways, but the vast majority of them leave us with fear, restlessness, nervousness and even a feeling of suffocation and tightness in the chest.
Conduct disorders
The most common are, on the one hand, the hyperactivity and on the other, attention deficit. Two of the most common among young people and therefore two of the reasons for consultation in recent years.
Substance use
We could not put this point aside either, because it is common to have to face it, unfortunately. Since sometimes not only alcohol or tobacco appears but also problems with different types of substances. We will also notice him by his changes in attitude and mood in general.
The most frequent risk factors
It is true that it cannot be generalized but there are a series of factors that can be considered risk for the appearance of mental disorders in young people:
- Problems in studies.
- Complicated situations in the family environment.
- Little relationship with his colleagues and few friends in general.
- Not being valued by your environment.
- Traumatic situations that are punctual.
We must always be alert and before any mentioned change, we must consult with our trusted doctor to be able to treat it before it is too late.