Many parents feel confused and even a bit surprised when they first learn that their adolescent is struggling with depression. Kids can do a good job of masking their symptoms — until they’re overwhelmed. There are many potential causes and risk factors that can contribute to depression symptoms in adolescents. Most often, it’s a combination

It’s not uncommon for adolescents and teens in Middle Tennessee to struggle with their mental health. Children in our state also face barriers to treatment, especially if they live in a rural area or if their insurance doesn’t cover mental health treatments. Nearly a third of children in Tennessee have a mental health diagnosis, and only

While school avoidance is a behavioral problem, it most often has a root cause in a child’s emotional or social experience. They could be struggling with their work or the busy school environment. Or they may be experiencing trauma or anxiety from something that happened to them at school. Other times, it’s stress in a

Mindfulness is the tried-and-true practice of deepening one’s awareness of the present moment to accept thoughts and feelings for what they are. Many adolescents lack the coping and communication skills needed to manage the stress and often overwhelming emotional episodes they experience. For some, this can become the root of mental health challenges like anxiety

Have you ever had a thought pop into your head that you didn’t want or didn’t understand? Do you ever want to stop thinking about something but can’t? The thought might have been something strange, upsetting or completely out of character for you. These kinds of thoughts are called intrusive thoughts. They can be really

Do you lie in bed for hours, unable to fall asleep, or struggle to stay asleep through the night? You’re not alone. Many teens struggle with sleep problems, and while these issues can be related to diet and exercise, sleep environment, screen time or medical conditions, they are often linked to various mental health conditions. Let’s

School is supposed to be a place where adolescents and teens feel safe and supported, but for some, the thought of school and attending classes can be overwhelming. Anxiety disorders are common mental health conditions, which can manifest as feelings of fear, worry and dread. Approximately 32% of U.S. adolescents and teens experience an anxiety

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by intense emotions, unstable relationships and impulsive behavior. It’s estimated that up to 3% of teens experience BPD, according to the National Library of Medicine. Symptoms of BPD in teens can include: Intense emotions — Your teen may experience rapidly fluctuating moods, extreme anger or sadness. Unstable

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by: Intense emotions Unstable relationships Impulsive behavior It can affect people of all ages but can become apparent during the teenage years. There is less known about BPD in teens than in adults, and there has been controversy over whether it’s appropriate to diagnose a teen with BPD. It’s

Many people experiencing borderline personality disorder (BPD) first receive a diagnosis in their teens. It’s a mental health condition that can manifest with many possible symptoms and presentations. People experiencing BPD experience it in different ways. They also have different opinions about using the term to identify themselves. It’s common to experience other mental health

Although the frequency of nightmares typically decreases after the age of 10, some adolescents experience them on a regular basis. Not only is having recurring nightmares often upsetting, but it can also start to affect your waking life. Many different life situations contribute to more frequent nightmares in teenagers, and they could be a sign

Between school and extracurricular activities, a teenager’s life can be very busy. Many teens place high expectations on themselves because they feel pressured to achieve. If you notice you’re forgetting things a lot, that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong. There’s a good chance your brain is a bit overwhelmed. Forgetting things is a fairly