Understanding Your Teen’s Emotional Health

When you’re raising a teenager, it can sometimes feel like you’re speaking two different languages, but your teen’s emotional health is very important for you to understand. Your son or daughter needs your support as they navigate their journey to adulthood. If you’re feeling lost on what he or she is going through, here’s everything you need to know about your teen’s emotional health. 

Try to Empathize With What They’re Experiencing

What your teenager is experiencing is influenced by multiple factors, the most important being that your child’s brain just isn’t developed yet. When they make choices that seem absurd to you, remember that you have a bit more experience and brain development. Try to understand and empathize with their experiences and choices. Your child’s brain might be biologically unable to process information as skillfully as your own. 

He or she will also experience a good amount of social anxiety, which can push him or her to make questionable decisions. Teenagers might be easily influenced by other people’s choices, or they might be so afraid of being left out that they go along with plans they don’t like. As you get older, your ability to handle social situations and relationships increases, but we all remember what it was like in high school. Try to think back to how you felt during that time when you’re talking with your son or daughter. Your ability to empathize and understand what your teen is going through will help you build trust and love. 

Look for Warning Signs

No one knows your child better than you, so it’s important that you keep an eye out for warning signs. These warning signs could be an indication that your child is beginning to experience mental health problems and that you should help him or her seek treatment right away. It’s extremely unlikely that your son or daughter will recognize his own condition and ask you for help, so you have to be vigilant about your child’s mental and emotional health.   

Look for any significant changes in your teenager’s mood, behavior, weight, or physical health. If you notice your child has begun to wear long-sleeved shirts every day and is defensive about it, this could be an indication that he or she has begun harming themself. If your teenager begins experiencing intense emotions or panic attacks, this could be a sign that he or she has developed an anxiety disorder. Take your child to a psychologist or doctor and have him or her provide a diagnosis. Once you know what’s happening with your teen, you can bring him or her to one of the excellent Polaris Teen bipolar disorder treatment centers. A treatment center will help your teenager get the professional help he or she needs. Your ability to recognize the warning signs will be the key factor in getting your child treatment.  

Support Them 

Ultimately, it’s crucial that you support your child, no matter the situation. You may not always understand everything about your teenager’s choices and needs, but one needs stays the same. Your child will always need your love and support. Make sure he or she understands that you’re there. Listen to her concerns, make time for her, and show her respect. Your ability to support his or her emotional health will make a huge impact on his or her life.

Don’t forget to also support your child’s tangible needs. Make sure he or she is all set with medical insurance for college student when it’s time to go off to school. If something comes up while he’s away and he needs to seek therapy or medication, you want to make sure you’ve given him what he needs to make that happen.

We might not always understand our teenagers. They make questionable choices and seem to always act impulsively. But if we remind ourselves to be empathetic and understanding, our teenagers will know that they are supported and valued.