HomeBlogPatientNormal Teenage Behavior vs. Warning Signs of Mental Illness Normal Teenage Behavior vs. Warning Signs of Mental Illness August 15, 2016Patient A friend’s 12-year-old daughter came home from school with a small book about puberty the other day. The pamphlet went over the expected adolescent body changes that were awaiting her daughter. But it also tackled changes to mood and attitude that may also occur as a child hits the teen years. The pamphlet said teenagers were likely to be “moody” and “irritable.” That parents should not be surprised if their adolescent became quick to anger—or to cry. It said adolescence is a time of “impulsivity” and increased “risk-taking” behaviors. The pamphlet was clear that these changes were just part of growing up. But it was hard for my friend not to notice that the adjectives used in this pamphlet also sounded a bit like symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. And it made her wonder, with so many changes coming, how is a parent to know when a teenager is going through the normal angst of adolescence or when they might be struggling with a mental health issue? Dr. Stephanie Hartselle, a pediatric psychiatrist and member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) says the pamphlet isn’t exaggerating about the changes you see in normal teens. They can be overwhelming. “Absolutely, the hormones are descending. And you’ll notice moodiness, the pushing of boundaries. And that’s there for a reason. What adolescents are doing is preparing to discover who they are cognitively. Their brains are preparing for adulthood,” she says. “And in some ways, there’s a mismatch between their emotional brain and their logical brain. It’s important to know. Because what we should be doing as parents of teens is working to put ourselves out of a job—to let them grow up so that they don’t need us to parent them anymore.” Hartselle says that emotional outbursts, getting tearful over seemingly nothing, grumpiness with boundaries, being more isolated and some risk-taking behavior is all par for the course. It may not be pleasant for parents but it is well within the range of normal. “What many parents don’t realize is that teenage depression and anxiety doesn’t look the same as adult depression and anxiety. Adults look sad. We look anxious. We look the way you would imagine a depressed or anxious person would look,” she says. “But teens don’t look that way. They tend to be more withdrawn or angry. In fact, problems with anger is one of the big signs of depression in teens, especially teenage boys.” Understanding that there is a difference in presentation is important—and can help tell parents when they just need to sit back and weather the storm and when it’s time to seek outside assistance. “That anger is something to look at, definitely. But if you see them having problems with sleep, if the way they are eating changes dramatically, so they are gaining or losing a lot of weight, if they are isolating so much you can’t get them out of their room for anything, or if their socializing has changed a lot, then perhaps it’s also time to take a closer look,” Hartselle says. “It’s always something you can discuss with your pediatrician or with a local counselor or psychiatrist and see what might be going on. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. Because if there is a problem, catching it early can make a huge difference. If you get involved early, there’s a really good chance that you can help turn things around for your child.” The information on this website is provided as a general information resource only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The information on this website is provided “as is”. Assurex Health makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the information on this website. Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider. The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors. If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful. Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more Patient Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not consider s... Read more Patient Movement as Medicine: Solutions for Anxiety Moving forward. It sounds like a nice idea, especially when you’re feeling stuck deep in the throes of an anxiety spiral. But it turns out that physically m... Read more Patient Weight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know New medications for weight loss seem to be flying off pharmacy shelves these days. But could they be linked to mental health conditions? Researchers are ... Read more Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more Healthcare Provider How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied Acts of bullying can cause feelings of fear, loneliness and sadness, as well as depressi... Read more Learn more Learn more about GeneSight How to talk to your provider View our clinical studies
Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more
Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more
Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more
Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more
Patient Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not consider s... Read more
Patient Movement as Medicine: Solutions for Anxiety Moving forward. It sounds like a nice idea, especially when you’re feeling stuck deep in the throes of an anxiety spiral. But it turns out that physically m... Read more
Patient Weight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know New medications for weight loss seem to be flying off pharmacy shelves these days. But could they be linked to mental health conditions? Researchers are ... Read more
Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more
Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more
Healthcare Provider How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied Acts of bullying can cause feelings of fear, loneliness and sadness, as well as depressi... Read more