When to get Help...Don't Wait till it's too Late

By , January 2007

Raising a teen in today’s world can be a task that seems insurmountable. The teenage years bring about sudden and drastic changes that may be hard for parents to understand and cope with. They may fear their teen is troubled, but may not be sure how to tell, or what to do about it. So how does one determine the difference between normal teenage behavior and troubled teen behavior? Very carefully.

Teenage years are marked by trying to establish independence through trying new things. It is normal for your teen to experiment with his or her appearance, to listen to strange music, and to make new friends. Teens may also engage in risky behavior since the logical part of their brain is still developing. This, combined with increased hormones, typically causes moodiness and increased arguments among your family. Your teen may also distance themselves from your family to obtain independence. This is all a normal part of growing up and should not be cause for concern, but what is? The following are signs of a troubled teen:

  • Changing friends abruptly, or becoming a loner
  • Anxiety and depression, beyond normal ups and downs
  • Dramatic change in performance at school, and a desire to constantly miss school
  • Behavior that can be considered destructive (hurting self or others, cruelty to animals, vandalism) and preoccupation with death
  • Signs of teenage alcohol or drug abuse
  • Drastic weight changes and dieting
  • Constant complaints about physical illness
  • Difficulty in coping with daily life
  • Dramatic changes in sleeping habits or eating patterns
  • Mood swings
  • Increasingly argumentative, defensive and violent
  • Fire starting
  • Signs of gang involvement

If your teen is exhibiting these signs, don’t wait to get help. There are many different treatment options for your teen such as wilderness programs, boot camps and military schools, boarding schools, residential treatment programs, and Christian schools. While it may be difficult to imagine sending your teen away, your child may be on a downward spiral and it can only get worse. One parent of a troubled teen wanted his son with him for a just few more weeks before he sent him away. His son was found in a coma from inhaling dangerous chemicals. His father writes, “If only we had done this a week earlier, my son would be in safe hands.” Don’t let this happen to you. The time to act is now, not next month, next week, or even tomorrow, but now.

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