Mental health in adolescence: when looking for help and what parents can do

Mental health problems are increasing among young people. How can families support them? And when to look for professional help?

Lucy says she was always a little worried, but two years ago she started to be anxious and to have panic attacks.

“I didn’t know what was going on and my parents are not,” he says the 15th century. “It was frightening. The attacks occurred without notice. I worsened and started having them in public.”

Lucy began to lose school and stopped socializing. He says it was difficult for his parents to see his suffering. “We didn’t know what to do or where to go.”

For six months, he tried to control his anxiety alone, but in the end the family decided to pay for cognitive behavioral therapy.

Lucy says she made a big difference. Although it still has panic attacks, they are much less frequent and has returned to school and doing the things you like.

Lucy’s story is far from unique. One out of five children and young people aged 8 to 25 has a probable mental health disorder, according to the United Kingdom’s public health system.

Because the problems are so common

Adolescence is when problems become increasingly common when young people face growth challenges, the stress of evidence, friendships and relationships.

There are also biological reasons that make emotional health problems more likely, says Andrea Danese, specialist in childhood and adolescence at King’s College London.

“The brain of adolescents does not develop simultaneously. The part that elaborates mature emotions before the responsible part of the car -contollo and common sense. This means that young people can feel things very intensely before fully developing the ability to face these feelings, which helps to explain some of the ups and the emotional bass that parents often observe.”

The height, he says, is adolescence, when emotional reactions are even more intensified by hormones and changes in the internal biological clock, which influence sleep models.

When and how to help

So what are the normal emotional challenges – and when adolescents and their parents should worry and consider the search for professional help?

Danish claims to understand why many find it difficult to evaluate. And consider the following normal emotional traits in teenagers:

• Irritability and periodic bad mood;
• Occasional social isolation or desire for privacy;
• Anxiety for social acceptance or school performance;
• Experimentation with identity and independence;
• Emotional reactions that seem disproportionate.

Since all this does not interfere with daily activities, parents should be able to support their children, he says.

The most common problems that teenagers face are bad mood and anxiety. For a bad mood, Dane says, maintaining healthy routine about food, sleep, physical activity and contact with friends and family, as well as planning activities that your child likes, as walks or practicing a sport.

“And help him identify, analyze and experiment with solutions to problems that could have arisen,” he adds.

For anxiety, calm techniques are useful, he says. This can include breathing, land exercises, in which you focus on the environment that surrounds you and on what you can see, play and smell and full care activities.

“It is important to avoid the trap of providing useless security,” says Danish.

Instead of teaching calm techniques, parents should discuss and test feared situations. “To reduce concerns, it can be useful to write them or talk about it in a” moment of concern “once a day.”

Build resilience

Stevie Goulding, which manages the support line of the parents of the British Charity Young Minds parents, says anxiety is the problem that most of the calls receive.

“Many children have anxiety crises and even panic attacks. It is difficult for parents. They can easily see each other without confidence and without discernment on what to do. We receive many calls for parents in this situation. When they see their children with difficulty, this may make them question and simply not know who to resort.

“The main advice we give to the parents is to communicate with their children. Give them permission to talk about what annoys them – and if they don’t want to talk to them, ask if there is someone else you prefer to talk to.”

Goulding also recommends talking to your child’s school, as they could also have noticed the problems.

But he adds: “Children need space: avoid the temptation to hurry up and try to solve things. Just reflect on what they are saying and listening.”

Child psychologist Sandi Mann agrees and says that parents have an understandable temptation to want to solve any problem that their children are facing when this is not necessarily the best solution.

Instead, he says that parents should help teach and develop resilience in their children. You recommend your parents:

• He explains that the setbacks happen to everyone, giving examples of things that have gone badly in their lives;
• Accept errors;
• Allow them to make their decisions, underlining that they are largely responsible for their happiness;
• Challenge your beliefs, in particular prevented thought and catastrophisation.

“I think we can sometimes create the impression that children and young people are unable to solve their problems when we hurry to seek help or resort to drugs.”

Signs that need professional help is needed

But Mann and Danish point out that parents should not hesitate to ask for professional support when necessary.

“There is nothing to be ashamed,” says Mann. “We just have to know when trying to solve problems and when to seek help.”

• Both highlight similar behaviors that should serve as a trigger for parents to ask for help. They include:
• Switzerland Auto -Mutilation and thoughts;
• Extreme changes in food or sleep;
• Drastic changes of personality and expressions of despair;
• Significant interference with daily operation, such as going to school or socializing;
• Prolonged removal of activities that were once pleasant.

Elaine Lockhart, president of the faculty of children and teenagers of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, says that parents should feel comfortable in facing the topic of mental health with their children and asking for help.

“We know that many children face difficulties. The idea that school years are the best in life is a mistake.”

But knowing who the use is not easy, especially if you cannot afford private therapy.

In Brazil, the Ministry of Health says that people in crisis situations can be served in any device of the psychosocial care network (Rads). And here you can consult a map that shows the closest unit in your region.

People can also contact local organizations and institutions that can provide support.

“Schools themselves can also help, some offer advice and support services,” says Lockhart.

“But I think parents can underestimate the role they can play, even if their children are waiting for support or actually making therapy or care. The house is where they will spend most of the time, so parents are an important part of the solution.”

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.