There's a point where obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviors become disruptive and can negatively impact the social and mental development of a child or teen. When teens spend more than an hour or so each day worrying, and when they perform "rituals" or repetitive behaviors to prevent certain things from bothering them, they may be
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Childhood trauma is a widespread issue that continues to affect many people throughout their lifetime. Until recently, most studies on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have focused on the trauma of distinct or acute life events, such as combat exposure or natural disasters. Now we're starting to understand more about emotional trauma that stems from relationships
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Our earliest relationship with a caregiver is a predictor of what our close relationships will look like in adolescence and adulthood. However, it’s not the only influential factor, and our attachment styles aren’t set in stone. Anyone can decide to change their attachment style. It takes both self-reflection and help from others, like a therapist,
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Finding out that your teen has been having suicidal thoughts can be devastating. You may feel lost and totally unprepared to handle this situation, but it’s crucial to be there for your child. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among high school-aged students, so if your teen is experiencing suicidal ideation, don’t wait to get
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Having suicidal thoughts can be scary. You may be overwhelmed or feel like these thoughts may never go away, but no matter how you’re feeling, you’re not alone. You have people in your life who care about you and want you to get the help you need. You may feel like nothing you do can help
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“Is it laziness or depression?” This is a question many parents ask themselves when their teenager spends long periods in isolation, withdraws from face-to-face interactions, or experiences an academic decline. They might withdraw into video games or online communities, stop doing their homework, or try to avoid school. But what’s the difference, and how do
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Dealing with depression isn’t easy, but it can be even more challenging to try to manage it on your own. It can be helpful to have a support system to help you deal with your symptoms of depression, but if you don’t share that you’re struggling, the people who care about you won’t know that
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Learning to manage anxiety disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be a challenge, especially if you feel like the people around you don't really understand your condition. You may struggle to open up and share details about your mental health with others, even with the people closest to you. Though you may not want to talk
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As a teen, managing your mental health can be hard. Sometimes, it can be even harder to open up about your experiences. However, telling others about your thoughts, feelings and behaviors is vital to getting help. Self-harm is a serious issue, and it should not be faced alone. Are you thinking about telling your parents
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Having a teen with anxiety can be challenging. As a parent or caregiver, you may be unsure about the next steps to take. When it comes to helping your teen, knowledge is power. Getting a better understanding of how anxiety impacts teens can help you offer more effective support. It can also help to learn
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As a parent concerned about their teen’s mental health, it can be hard to know how to help your child. Teen mental health treatments come in many varieties, and not all treatment strategies will be right for your teen. Finding a good treatment option can be especially difficult if your teen has not found success
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Are you concerned that your teen may be depressed? Depression is a serious mental health condition characterized by overwhelming and long-lasting negative thoughts and emotions. As a mood condition, depression has significant effects on a person’s emotional state. In addition to emotional distress, depression can also lead to a range of other symptoms. Understanding the
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