Eight million teens played sports in high school last year, based on a survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). That was a record-breaking high. In fact, the number of high school athletes has been increasing for the last three decades. With so many adolescents playing sports, it’s worthwhile to talk about the various benefits athletics bestows upon teens. Here’s a list of why getting involved
You might have gotten the call from another parent, who was appalled. Or the school administrator. Or maybe you found out about it yourself. Inadvertently saw some of the photos on your teen’s phone. Read some of the racy texts. How you discovered it doesn’t matter. Ultimately, you caught your teen sexting. Help! My Teen is Sexting Sexting involves the exchange of sexually explicit content, such as messages or photographs,
As a parent, there’s a long list of things to worry about when you think your teenager may be experimenting with alcohol and drugs. You want to get them all the help you can, of course. You want them to be happy, well-adjusted, and free of complicating addictions and other psychological issues that may affect their well-being. You’re concerned for their health, their school performance, their social life, and their
It seems like you’re always catching your teen in a fib. Whether it’s the lie they tell when you ask them what happened after school, or the fake excuses they make to explain why they didn’t do something, you might wonder whether this kind of lying is common in teens, or the sign of an emotional or psychological problem. One simple difference between common lying and pathological lying is the
You hear all about mindfulness these days. In case you missed the basics, staying mindful means slowing down and paying close attention to this present moment, without judgment. Deep breathing, meditation, walking, and yoga are all mindfulness practices that promote positive wellbeing and mental health. While especially beneficial to those struggling with mental health and addiction issues, the benefits of mindfulness apply to all. The coronavirus pandemic means teens need
Borderline personality disorder in teens is marked by a host of symptoms. There’s emotional instability and extreme bouts of moodiness. Identity issues. Chaotic relationships. Self-harming behavior and suicidal ideation. While many of these issues sound like they’re common in teens, adolescents with borderline personality disorder experience them much more intensely than others. “Their emotions can take over their body,” explains Alyson Orcena, LMFT, Executive Clinical Director of Evolve Treatment Centers.
Seeking Safety is a relatively modern evidence-based treatment model that treats co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder and substance abuse. Lisa M. Najavits, Ph.D. began developing the Seeking Safety treatment model in the 1990s, with assistance from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. She published the research-based Seeking Safety treatment manual in 2002. Substance Abuse and PTSD PTSD and substance abuse often go hand-in-hand. After a traumatic experience, many people choose unhealthy
The first thing you should do is take it seriously. Whether they plan to run away or not, telling you they plan to run away means something serious is going on in their lives. It may be something in their relationship with you. It may be something in their relationship with friends. It’s possible something very stressful and difficult happened at school, and they don’t know how to deal with
As the parent or guardian of a teenager dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues, deciding on the best course of action can be an overwhelming and heart-wrenching task. You want the best for them, and sometimes, the best option might be to enroll them in a residential treatment center. Although the decision to do this can be difficult, choosing to do so during the summer months can offer
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects millions of individuals worldwide, and while it is a lifelong neurological condition, it is also a part of the neurodiversity movement. Neurodiversity is an approach that embraces the natural variations in human cognition, recognizing and celebrating the differences in the ways people think, learn, and process information. This article will delve into the relationship between autism and neurodiversity conditions, providing parents with valuable information about
