Teen & Child Depression
Teen & Child Depression
Depression is more than just occasional sadness or moodiness—it’s a serious mental health condition that can deeply affect the way a child or teen thinks, feels, and functions in daily life.
For young people, depression may look different than it does in adults, and it often goes unnoticed or mistaken for “normal growing pains.” Left untreated, depression can interfere with healthy development, relationships, and academic success.
Children and adolescents with depression may experience
Persistent sadness or irritability
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Fatigue or low energy
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
Physical complaints such as headaches or stomachaches without a clear cause
Withdrawal from friends and family
Thoughts of death or suicide
Child & Teen Anxiety Treatment
Common Signs of Anxiety in
Children and Teens
Frequent worries about school, social situations, or family
Avoidance of activities or places due to fear
Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or
rapid heartbeat
Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
Irritability or restlessness
Types of Anxiety Disorders in Youth
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):
Constant, excessive worry about a variety of topics.
Social Anxiety Disorder:
Intense fear of social interactions or being judged by others.
Separation Anxiety Disorder:
Excessive fear of being away from caregivers or home.
Panic Disorder:
Sudden, repeated panic attacks involving intense fear and physical symptoms.
Child and Teen ADHD
Child and Teen ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that begins in childhood and can continue into adolescence and adulthood. It affects the way the brain regulates attention, activity level, and self-control.
Children and teens with ADHD may struggle with paying attention, sitting still, following instructions, or managing impulses in ways that are expected for their age It can make it harder for them to focus, stay organized, control impulses, and manage their energy levels.
Key Challenges Include
Inattention:
Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play, easily distracted,
trouble following instructions or finishing schoolwork.
Hyperactivity:
Restlessness, excessive talking, difficulty staying seated or calm in quiet settings.
Impulsivity:
Acting without thinking, interrupting others, trouble waiting their turn.
Treatment for Child & Teen Behavior Problems
Behavioral Issues
Children and adolescents sometimes face challenges that affect their behavior, emotions, and interactions with others.
These behavior problems can range from mild difficulties to more serious issues that impact daily life, school performance, and relationships with family and peers.
Common Behavior Problems Include
Oppositional Defiant Behavior: Frequent temper tantrums, arguing with adults, and refusal to follow rules.
Attention Difficulties: Trouble focusing, staying organized, or sitting still, often seen in ADHD.
Aggression and Conduct Issues: Physical fights, bullying, lying, or rule-breaking.
Anxiety and Mood Disorders: Excessive worry, sadness, or mood swings that affect behavior.
Social Challenges: Difficulty making or keeping friends, withdrawal, or inappropriate social interactions.
Teen & Child PHP or IOP Programs for Mood Disorders
Common Mood Disorders in Youth
Depression:
Persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, or hopelessness that interfere with daily life. Children may show changes in appetite, sleep patterns, energy levels, and interest in activities.
Bipolar Disorder:
Characterized by episodes of extreme mood changes, including periods of elevated or irritable mood (mania or hypomania) and episodes of depression. These mood swings can affect behavior, sleep, and decision-making.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD):
Marked by severe, recurrent temper outbursts that are disproportionate to the situation, along with a persistently irritable or angry mood.
Signs to Watch For
Persistent sadness, irritability, or mood swings
Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities once enjoyed
Changes in eating or sleeping habits
Difficulty concentrating or declining school performance
Frequent feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
OCD Treatment for Children & Teens
Is It OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that affects children and adolescents just as it does adults.
It involves unwanted, persistent thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) that the child feels driven to perform.
These obsessions and compulsions can cause significant distress and interfere with daily life, school, friendships, and family relationships.
Common OCD Symptoms in Young People
Obsessions:
Intrusive fears or worries, such as fear of germs or contamination, fear of harm coming to themselves or loved ones, excessive concern about order or symmetry, or disturbing taboo thoughts.
Compulsions:
Repetitive behaviors like excessive hand washing, checking things repeatedly, arranging objects in a specific way, counting, or silently repeating words or prayers to reduce anxiety.
Personality Disorder Treatment for Children & Teens
What is a Personality Disorder?
Personality disorders in children and adolescents refer to enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that significantly differ from what is expected for their age and culture.
These patterns are persistent, cause distress or problems in everyday life, and affect how young people relate to others and cope with challenges.
Unlike typical mood or behavioral issues, personality disorders involve deeply ingrained ways of thinking and behaving that begin early in life and significantly influence social, emotional, and academic functioning.
Common Signs of Personality Disorders
Difficulty managing emotions and impulses
Trouble forming and maintaining healthy relationships
Consistent patterns of negative or extreme thinking
Challenges with self-identity or self-esteem
Behaviors that interfere with school, family, or social activities
Early recognition and support can help young people build healthier ways to think, feel, and interact, improving their overall well-being and future success
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
It can affect children and adolescents who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events such as abuse, accidents, natural disasters, or violence.
While PTSD is often discussed in adults, young people may also struggle with its lasting impact, which can interfere with their development, daily life, and emotional well-being.
How PTSD Manifests in Young People?
Re-experiencing the trauma: Children and teens may have upsetting memories, nightmares, or flashbacks related to the traumatic event.
Avoidance: They might avoid places, people, or activities that remind them of what happened.
Heightened arousal: This can include difficulty sleeping, irritability, trouble concentrating, or being easily startled.
Emotional changes: Feelings of sadness, guilt, shame, or fear are common, as well as withdrawal from family and friends.
Behavioral changes: Younger children may show regressive behaviors (bedwetting, thumb sucking), while adolescents might engage in risky behaviors or substance use.
Teen & Child Trauma
What is Child & Teen Trauma?
Trauma in childhood and adolescence refers to experiences that overwhelm a young person’s ability to cope, leaving lasting emotional, psychological, or physical effects.
Trauma can stem from experiencing or witnessing
Abuse
Neglect
Loss
Accidents
Violence
Common signs of trauma in children and adolescents may include
Difficulty trusting others or forming relationships
Emotional outbursts, anxiety, or depression
Trouble concentrating or declining academic performance
Changes in sleep or eating patterns
Changes in sleep or eating patterns
Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches without medical cause
Grief & Loss in Children and Teens
Grief and Loss
A young person’s ability to understand and process grief or loss depends heavily on their age, stage of development, and the support they receive from caregivers and peers.
For example, younger children may not fully grasp the permanence of loss and might express their grief through play, behavioral changes, or regressive behaviors, such as clinginess or bedwetting. Adolescents, on the other hand, typically have a more developed understanding of loss but may struggle with overwhelming emotions, social withdrawal, irritability, or risk-taking behaviors as they attempt to cope.
Unique Challenges
Children and teens often worry about their own safety or the safety of other loved ones
They may feel responsible for the loss or blame themselves
School and social life disruptions can add to their distress
Grief can resurface during developmental milestones or anniversaries
Relationship Issues in Children & Teens
Relationship Issues
Children and teenagers face unique challenges when it comes to relationships—with family, friends, and peers.
During these crucial developmental years, they are learning how to communicate, build trust, and manage emotions.
Relationship issues may include conflicts with
Parents or Siblings
Bullying
Peer Pressure
Difficulties in Romantic Relationships
Struggles with making or keeping friends
These challenges can affect a young person’s self-esteem, emotional well-being, and overall development.
Understanding and addressing these issues early helps children and adolescents build healthy, positive relationships that support their growth and happiness.
If your child or teen is experiencing relationship difficulties, professional guidance can provide the tools and support they need to navigate these complex social dynamics with confidence.
Divorce Adjustment for Children & Teens
Divorce Adjustment
Emotional Confusion and Stress : Children may feel a mix of sadness, anger, guilt, and anxiety. They often struggle to understand why the divorce is happening and may worry about their own future and the well-being of both parents.
Changes in Family Dynamics : Divorce usually means changes in living arrangements, routines, and family roles. Adjusting to new homes, possibly new schools, and different daily schedules can be unsettling and disruptive.
Fear of Abandonment and Insecurity : Children may worry about losing contact with one parent or fear that their family will never feel “normal” again. This insecurity can affect their sense of stability and trust.
Feelings of Loyalty and Guilt : Many children feel torn between their parents, fearing that loving one means betraying the other. This can lead to feelings of guilt or pressure to take sides, which is emotionally exhausting.
Social and Academic Challenges : The stress from family changes can affect concentration, motivation, and behavior, sometimes leading to declines in academic performance or difficulties in friendships.
Increased Responsibility and Independence : Older children and teens may take on more household responsibilities or emotional caretaking roles, which can be overwhelming and impact their own development.
School Conduct Issues with Children & Teens
School Conduct Issues
These behaviors can range from mild to severe and might include
Disruptiveness: Talking out of turn, refusing to follow instructions, or distracting classmates.
Aggression: Physical fights, bullying, or verbal threats toward peers or staff.
Defiance: Refusal to comply with school rules, arguing with teachers, or challenging authority.
Inattention and Hyperactivity: Difficulty staying focused, excessive movement, or impulsivity that affects learning.
Social Withdrawal or Isolation: Avoiding interactions with peers or showing signs of anxiety or depression.
