As a parent, protecting your teenager from harm is your number one priority. When your teen shows troublesome behavioural changes, it can be difficult to discern the issue. Signs of mental illness can vary significantly from person to person, making it confusing to know whether a real problem exists. Although the clues can change, the following signs of mental illness should be investigated further so that you can obtain professional help.
5 Warning Signs and Symptoms of Mental Illness
The following signs of mental illness are fairly common among teenagers experiencing mental health problems. If you’ve noticed strange behaviour in your teen, seek help immediately. Below is a list of five common signs of a mentally unstable individual:
- Prolonged Periods of Depression: It can be normal for teens to go through periods of mild depression from time to time. However, when depression prolongs for weeks or months, it may create a severe underlying condition.
- Social Withdrawal and Isolation: Most teens tend to socialize and enjoy spending time with their peers. If you notice a pattern of isolation and withdrawal in your teen, he or she likely need immediate medical attention. Lastly, withdrawal can include removing oneself from loved ones as well as once-beloved activities as well.
- Excessive Worries or Anxiety: Worrying about the uncertainties of the future is something we all do on occasion. However, severe anxiety can prevent an individual from functioning correctly in their daily life.
- Aggressive Behaviour or Mood Swings: Aggression and severe anger are common problems in those experiencing a mental illness. Frightening mood swings can sometimes alert you to an underlying problem that requires treatment.
- Changes in Eating and Sleeping Patterns: Many individuals experiencing mental illness will begin to exhibit changes in their eating and sleeping patterns. They may sleep too much or experience insomnia. Likewise, they may start to demonstrate a severe loss of appetite and the resultant dramatic weight loss that accompanies it.
Why is Professional Treatment Essential?
Substance abuse and mental illness are two complex issues that often go hand in hand. Both require their unique treatment protocols to help the individual experience a complete recovery. Addiction is a physical dependency on drugs or alcohol. Thus, like any disease, it requires professional treatment so individuals can not only deal with withdrawal and cravings but also allow their bodies to recover. However, addiction also has an emotional and mental aspect. Substance abuse counseling is usually needed to help your teen address the underlying cause of these issues and begin to heal from them. Professional treatment addresses both the physical and mental sides of addiction giving individuals the best chance to make a lasting recovery. Also, addiction can take the form of what counselors and therapists call process addictions. Some examples of process addictions we treat at Venture Academy include:
- Gaming Addiction
- Internet Addiction Disorder
- Smartphone Addiction Treatment
- Social Media Addiction
- Video Game Addiction
Because addiction whether to substances or processes is complex, it requires support to identify, address, and heal.
Mental Illness Assessment, Treatment, and Education at Venture Academy
Venture Academy is a residential behavioural treatment facility with three locations throughout Canada. We specialize in a unique blend of highly personalized therapeutic interventions combined with education and small group therapy sessions.
When your teen experiences bothersome issues with substance abuse or other behavioural problems, it can disrupt the dynamics of the entire family. Following a complete 30-day assessment, our multidisciplinary team of professionals will formulate a treatment plan specific to your troubled teen. Lastly, to find out how we can help your family experience healing and recovery, contact Canada’s leading program for troubled teens at 866.762.2211.
