Common Teen Issues

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…

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…

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…

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 from peers or family members. In fact, according to the Advanced Recovery Systems, almost half of high school students know a classmate who…

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…

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…

As the parent of a teenager, the thought of your teen abusing alcohol is a terrifying one. With teen alcohol abuse on the rise, and staggering statistics concerning underage drinking coming to light, this is one issue that cannot be ignored. Do you suspect your teen is using alcohol? You are not alone. Alcohol is the most widely used substance used and abused by today’s…

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…