It’s not uncommon for teenagers to go through subtle mood swings or attitude changes. They have a lot on their plates. This is an important time in their lives where changes are happening all the time.
Now, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, teens throughout the country have had to deal with even greater changes. Many have even had to experience the loss of some sense of “normalcy”.
But there are some things you might be brushing off as a “typical teen attitude” that are actually more.
In those cases, therapy can be beneficial.
While your teenager might be reluctant to see a therapist at first, there are situations in which it’s extremely helpful. If you’re not sure whether it’s the right option, let’s look at a few of those situations.
1. They Are Having Continued Behavior Problems
Again, some behavioral issues or even acts of “rebellion” might be normal. But, if your teen is consistently doing things that seem out of character, you should consider it a red flag. Some common behavioral issues include skipping school, missing curfew, or showing aggression and anger more often than not.
Therapy can be helpful in this situation because it can help to discover what might be causing your teenager’s behavior. They could be going through some kind of struggle. Or, they might be dealing with a deeper mental health issue that needs to be addressed.
2. They Are Struggling With Substance Abuse
No parent wants to think about their child using drugs or alcohol, even if they’re older. Unfortunately, adults and teens alike often turn to different substances to cope with stress. It’s not as difficult as you might think for teenagers to get ahold of alcohol or almost any drug.
Substance abuse has become a huge problem for teens across the country. It’s likely we’ll see an even greater increase as the effects of the pandemic linger.
If you’ve noticed signs of substance abuse in your teen, including a lack of control, social changes, or aggression, helping your teen get into specialized therapy as soon as possible could make a big difference.
3. They Have Experienced Trauma or Grief
Again, it’s important to understand that teenagers are going through an uncertain and difficult time right now. Almost everyone has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and kids/teens are no exception.
Some teenagers have had to be separated from friends. Others haven’t been able to be involved in sports programs or other extracurricular activities. Studies have shown that teens can actually be more susceptible to stress over situations like these than adults.
So, if your teen has experienced any kind of loss, it could be beneficial for them to talk to a therapist. If their situation has gone one step further and they’ve experienced trauma from this pandemic (or anything else), therapy can certainly help. It will encourage them to express their feelings and work through them in a healthy, effective way.
Doing the Right Thing for Your Teen
The idea of therapy, as a parent, can certainly be overwhelming. But don’t let yourself believe any stigmas about it. Therapy is one of the best ways to help a teenager struggling through one of these situations—and many others.
The best thing you can do is to look for any signs that your teen needs help. You know them better than anyone, so pay close attention to any changes or things that might seem off. Don’t be afraid to talk to them about what they’re going through and have a conversation about the possibility of therapy.
If your teen is ready for therapy or you have more questions, feel free to contact me for information.