A slamming door, back talk, or blatant disobedience may seem common in teens. But this behavior could be signs of a bigger problem. “We thought it was just hormones and growing up.” “They were just being a moody teenager.” “It’s part of this teenage angst thing.” Maybe these are things you have said about your teen and their opposition to authority. Perhaps they were a
What is Digital Addiction?
In today’s digital age there is more access than ever to digital devices and stimuli. With technology constantly ‘evolving’ to make our lives easier, is there any wonder that many feel as though they just can’t live without it? About Digital Addiction With such a dependence on technological devices, it seems that we are seeing a generation of youth suffering from digital addictions (also referred
What is Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)?
Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is a condition that is often found in children. Individuals suffering from RAD have often suffered some sort of trauma or neglect in basic care. This type of neglect occurs when the individual does not form a healthy attachment to their caregiver or parent (typically their mother) before the age of five. WebMD describes attachment from a caregiver as the child
Teen Violence: Do You Have an Angry Teen?
Is your teen becoming increasingly angry? Do they struggle in coping with their emotions. Do they act out physically in rage, anger, or distress? If so, your teen may be at risk for exhibiting violent behavior. If your teen is angry it is important for them to develop skills to deal constructively with their feelings. Has your teen acted out and put themselves or others
ADHD Symptoms in Teens: Signs and Treatment
Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, more commonly known as ADHD, is a term casually thrown around at times, but it may not be fully understood. Some people may say a child has ADHD if they have seemingly endless energy. Others may be quick to blame the disorder when a teenager doesn’t pay attention in the classroom. In either case, ADHD could be an explanation, but
Teen Drug Abuse: Signs and Symptoms
*Teens who are addicted to chemical substances must detox before their enrollment at Shepherds Hill Academy. Our facilities do not provide detox services. Although it is something most parents don’t want to think about, teen drug abuse is an unfortunate reality in this country. Many adolescents are introduced to drugs and alcohol at a young age because these substances are often easy to acquire, either
Signs of Depression In Teens
They couldn’t believe they were at this point. How did they end up here? Maybe they didn’t parent right. Maybe it was the negative peer influences. Somehow things had shifted and they slowly witnessed changes happening to their teen that just didn’t seem right. Either way, they were dumbfounded as the doctor explained to them that their teen had depression. In my work as a
Teen Suicide: Warning Signs and Risk Factors
Teen suicide is a tragic epidemic. According to the American Psychological Association, suicide in teens is the second-leading cause of death among young people (ages 15-24 years old). Kids Health cites that for every 1 suicide 25 attempts have been made. The Jason Foundation states that every day there are an average of 5,240 attempts of teen suicide by students in grades 7-12. The impact
Identifying Rebellion in Your Teenager
Teenage years can be a struggle for the teen and parent alike. As a teen develops and begins to transition into adulthood, the desire is for increased independence, space, and privilege. Often referred to as the ‘transitional phase’, teenage years are the phase of life sitting between a child and an adult. As the teen grows both physically, mentally, and emotionally during this time, it
Self Harm and Cutting in Teens
Self harm is the intentional act of inflicting physical pain on the body. According to Psych Central, 2 to 3 million Americans engage in some form of self-injury each year. This injury could include anything from cutting, burning, striking, picking, biting, carving, etc. to the point of soft tissue damage. A common form of self injury is cutting. Cutting is the act of purposely injuring
