Teens Archives | Page 20 of 37

Parents

March Is Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Awareness Month

Each year during the month of March, advocates join to raise awareness about the phenomenon of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Physicians and mental health professionals may refer to NSSI as self-injury (SI), self-harm (SH), deliberate self-harm (DSH), and self-mutilation (SM). Informally, NSSI is known as cutting. The purpose of this article is to participate in this movement, along with awareness advocacy groups like LifeSigns Self-Injury Guidance and Support Network. While NSSI

March 10, 2020

The Treatment or School Conundrum: Which Comes First?

Your parents say you need to go to a teen rehab or mental health treatment center. You have depression, anxiety, prodromal psychosis, PTSD, a substance abuse problem, or another mental health or behavioral issue. You know that. Your parents know that. The psychiatrist who assessed you and recommended residential treatment knows that. The problem is – you don’t want to go to residential treatment. You don’t want to live somewhere

March 7, 2020

Parents

March is Women’s History Month: The 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage

We take a lot of things in life for granted. Meaning there are things in our lives that are there, have always been there, and we assume will always be there. Like the right to open a bank account, apply for and receive credit cards, own property, start a business, and – something that’s at the forefront of everyone’s mind right now – the right to cast a vote in

March 6, 2020

What Medications Are Used in Medication Assisted Treatment for Teens?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a way for adolescents to detox from, and overcome, their opiate addiction. By taking specific, FDA-approved, physician-prescribed drugs, teens are able to gradually taper off their heroin or opioid addiction without experiencing strong opioid cravings or the painful symptoms of withdrawal. For these reasons, MAT helps limit the risk of relapse. Medication-assisted treatment works best when integrated with behavioral therapy, like DBT or CBT, and counseling.

March 3, 2020

Brand New To Exercising? These Tips Can Help

Exercise and Recovery The evidence is in. Regular exercise can help people in recovery. Studies show that an exercise routine can help people in recovery from alcohol and substance use disorders, combat depression, relieve anxiety, decreases cravings, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Regular exercise also offers people in recovery new alternatives to old habits, decreases cravings, and helps them find new pathways to pleasure without drinking or using drugs. Although

February 28, 2020

Teens

Someone is Stalking Me. What Should I Do?

It is very scary to be a victim of stalking. The person stalking you might be a random stranger, a casual acquaintance, or someone you used to be close with. They might send you unwanted notes, letters or gifts, try to contact you incessantly even when you said you don’t want to talk to them, and/or try to approach you online or in person. Many stalkers will also try to

February 24, 2020

Why is Adolescent Polydrug Use so Harmful?

When an individual uses two or more substances at the same time, the practice is called polydrug use. Polydrug use is particularly common among adolescents experimenting with alcohol and drugs. How Common Is Polydrug Use in Teens? One study of teens in California, conducted by the RAND research institute in Los Angeles, found that 29% of their sample of high school seniors engaged in polydrug usage in the past year.

February 19, 2020

The Benefits of Play Therapy for Young Children and Adolescents

What Is Play Therapy? Play therapy was developed early in the 20th century as a way for psychiatrists, psychotherapists, teachers and other childcare professionals to help young children positively and productively handle a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges. The underlying premise of play therapy is to meet children at their own level, where they are most comfortable: in the world of play. Play therapy has been developed by

February 18, 2020

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: #1Thing

Early Roots: Protecting Families In 1981, advocates for women and children created Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) to raise awareness about domestic violence and spread reliable facts and knowledge about its prevalence and consequences. Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) is the product of that same awareness and advocacy movement. The goals of DVAM and TDVAM are serious, and it’s important to distinguish these months by recognizing the necessity of

February 10, 2020

For Teens With Borderline Personality Disorder, This One Symptom Is Very Common

One of the main symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) is splitting. Splitting is the unconscious division of people, situations or events as “all good” or “all bad.” For example, a teen with BPD can decide a friend is either “the most loyal person in the world” or “evil.” An event is either “amazing” or “terrible.” A situation either “worked out perfectly” or turned “disastrously”. Splitting occurs as a defensive

February 3, 2020