Teens and mental health experts say parents don't always notice when their kid needs a mental health evaluation. With the U.S. youth mental health crisis hitting the Cincinnati area too, we asked a professional how to know when to get our teenagers help.
Teen girls have a mental health crisis:How did we get here?
Dr. Courtney Cinko, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center medical director of emergency psychiatry, said the first stop for an evaluation can be with your teen's pediatrician. There, they'll get assessed, and you can get a referral for professional psychiatric or psychological help.
Here are the seven top reasons Cinko said your teen should be evaluated:
1. They want to be alone.
If you notice that your teen is always avoiding contact with you or other family members and staying alone in their room, this isolation can be a big sign for depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions.
2. They're not interested.
If your child is withdrawing from activities they loved and not replacing them or coming up with excuses as to why they can no longer attend, it could be a sign of depression or other mental health problems.
3. They're easily overwhelmed.
If your teen is overwhelmed more than once or twice a week and feels that “life seems like too much to handle," it could mean they need mental health help.
4. Arguments are intense and frequent at home.
Teens will express their thoughts, opinions and disdain more and more as they grow and mature. But if your teen is arguing about even small things, or if you feel you’re “walking on eggshells,” it’s time to talk to a mental health professional.
5. It's getting increasingly difficult to meet school and social demands.
If you notice that your teen cannot function at the level they’re expected to, and this is a new or growing issue, it can mean they need mental health help.
6. Their behavior or personality changes, and they just don't seem like themselves.
These changes can be normal with all the challenges teenagers face but can also be a sign of something that’s going awry and a need for mental health help.
7. Your parental intuition tells you something doesn't seem right with your child.
It is absolutely OK to get your teen a mental health evaluation, even if you aren’t sure why or what could be wrong. Shrugging off a gut feeling can lead to worsening symptoms, prolonged struggle, and even suicide.
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