Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Adolescents

Adolescence is a challenging phase of life, so it’s not uncommon for teens to develop their own quirks and idiosyncrasies as they attempt to navigate the turbulence.  Unfortunately, for a small percentage of teens, these quirks and unusual behaviors are indicators of a serious mental health issue – obsessive-compulsive disorder.  Typically referred to as OCD […]

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Turn on the TV on any given day and it seems there’s news of yet another school shooting, deadly accident, or natural disaster somewhere in our country.  When you include the plethora of tragic stories regarding the physical or sexual abuse of youth, any caring parent can easily become consumed with fear regarding the safety […]

Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Teens

Many adolescents worry from time to time about things like passing an exam, their weight or appearance, family problems, and whether some boy or girl really likes them.  Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD for short, causes teens to feel anxious and worry excessively about everything and anything, even when there’s no rational reason to be […]

Panic Disorder in Teens

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that causes a person’s brain to suddenly go into fight-or-flight mode at any given moment, even though there’s no actual threat or danger.  The anxiety and fear experienced are very intense and perpetuate the fear of having future panics.  This can seriously disrupt the life of teens, often making […]

Specific Phobias in Teens

It’s normal for teens to experience a bit of anxiety or fear in certain situations, such as giving a presentation at school or going to the dentist.  However, a surprising number of teens – more than 10% – suffer from what’s known as a specific phobia (or simple phobia).  This common anxiety disorder involves having […]