Parents Worries, Teen Health is a Problem for Troubled Teens

Prevent Troubled Teen Behavior

When your teen is struggling with behavior issues or mental illness, one of the things that may be overlooked is their health. Among all parent worries, teen health is a problem for troubled teens. When they are struggling to make school, relationships and jobs work, personal health and safety take a back seat most of the time. As a parent with a troubled teen, you can help support them by making sure they are taking care of their health and intervening when necessary.

If you are the parent of a troubled teen, here are some things you can do to help your teen with health and wellness during this difficult time in their lives:

  • Take them in for a checkup with their doctor. Teens may want to see a different doctor than their long-time pediatrician as a reflection of them growing up and wanting to be seen as more of an adult. Everyone needs a medical professional they know and trust, and often teens may listen to a doctor instead of a parent when it comes to health and wellness habits. Don’t forget to send them in alone so they can discuss personal issues.
  • Communicate about normal growth and development that teens experience. Teens may hear all kinds of crazy things about puberty from their peer and the movies, so they need to get real facts from you. If you feel uncomfortable, there are several good books on the subject that are meant to start conversations between parents and teens.
  • Build your teen’s confidence by acknowledging when they do something positive for their health, whether it’s doing something physical or making a good food choice. Pay attention when they want to talk and really focus on creating a space where they can ask questions, wonder out loud and express themselves.
  • Set clear boundaries with your troubled teen about smoking, drinking, and drugs. Many teens experiment with these, especially if they are struggling with challenges in their lives. In fact, teens with problems like depression or anxiety may be more likely to use these substances. Make sure they are educated about the consequences if they violate the house rules.
  • Recognize the signs of serious mental health issues, like adolescent depression, suicidal thoughts, cutting, eating disorders and more. You need to be observant so you can spot when your teen may need outside intervention for a serious problem. Of course, talk to your teen about his or her emotional health and see what they reveal.
  • Make healthy options available to your teen, including healthy food, personal hygiene items and more. Even if your teen doesn’t ask for things because they are embarrassed, such as deodorant or acne medicine, you can often provide it and place items in their bedroom or bathroom and they will most likely start to use them. When healthy, tasty snacks are available, teens will generally eat them rather than go hungry.

Even if your teenager is struggling with certain behavioral or mental health issues, you can help them stay on track when it comes to health and wellness. Don’t let larger issues distract your teen or yourself from keeping the body strong, clean and healthy.

Request Free Admissions Information

Step 1 of 3 - Your Contact Info

Written by Natalie

21 Feb, 2015

Recent Posts

The Ethical Dillema of Tracking Your Child’s Location

The Ethical Dillema of Tracking Your Child’s Location

With advancements in GPS technology, it seems that there are products and services available to track almost everything. There are even devices designed to help you track your car and your pets and devices designed to help you keep your keys or iPad from getting lost....

Annoying Traits That Are Okay For Your Teen To Have

Annoying Traits That Are Okay For Your Teen To Have

Let’s face it, teens can be frustrating and a little bit annoying at times. Feeling this way is entirely natural and doesn’t have to take away from how much you love them. The teen years bring with them countless changes and challenges for the whole family. As the...

What To Do If Your Teen Runs Away

What To Do If Your Teen Runs Away

As parents, we do everything that we can to protect our children. If your teen threatens to run away or runs away, it can be frightening. Not knowing where they are or whether they are safe can set off a range of emotions and concerns. Whether this is the first time...

Social Issues That Are Impacting Teens Today

Social Issues That Are Impacting Teens Today

It’s no secret that the teen years can be challenging. Each generation of teens faces their own issues, quite often impacted by social concerns relevant to cultural influences. The worries that teens face today can look quite different from the concerns that their...

Recognizing When Your Teen Is Troubled

Recognizing When Your Teen Is Troubled

It’s no secret that the teenage years can be tumultuous for both parents and teens. There are common behavior changes and problems that most teenagers struggle with. But some deeper issues can indicate you have a troubled teen to contend with. Knowing the difference...

Does Pot Really Make Teens Dull?

Does Pot Really Make Teens Dull?

The stereotype of the dull and dazed pot smoker is one seen across countless movies and television shows. But is there any evidence to support that the use of marijuana can dull the brain of a teenager? If your troubled teen is smoking pot, you may have several...

You May Also Like…

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *