Although drug abuse has declined in the past 20 years (1), teens are using certain substances, like marijuana, more than ever. Mental illness and substance abuse in teens requires treatment, as co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to live a healthy and normal life. While all teens and adolescents experience anxiety, stress, and sadness, some…
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Teen depression and substance abuse are closely linked. Mental health problems can lead to self-medicating, where you use drugs and/or alcohol to alleviate symptoms like sadness. About 8% of adolescents suffer from depression, and 11.5% of high school seniors use illicit drugs other than marijuana at least annually. (1) The teenage years are stressful, awkward,…
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With 11.5% of high school seniors using an illicit drug other than marijuana and another 35.7% using marijuana last year, parents understandably wonder how to talk about substance abuse to teens. Teens and adolescents have to navigate complex relationships, challenges, and social pressures while learning how to make responsible decisions. This can make it easy…
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Learning how to talk about mental health to teens is an equally difficult task. Teens may not have as much understanding of the root of their emotions as adults. Because their logical reasoning centers are still maturing, they simply may not be able to understand themselves yet fully. Fortunately, mental health disorders are highly treatable.…
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Drug use has declined among teens in the past ten years. But certain mental health conditions, like anxiety, have increased. Anxiety disorders among teens rose 20% between 2007 and 2012. With 1 out of every 3 of teens between the ages of 13 and 17, eventually developing an anxiety disorder, teen anxiety and substance abuse…
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Mental health professionals founded cognitive-behavioral therapy on the concept that negative thoughts generate negative feelings. These feelings about the self and reality contributed to any individual’s issues. Since its conception, cognitive-behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, has become a very popular type of psychotherapy. Therapists often use CBT as a treatment for those struggling with…
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One of the primary causes of teen substance abuse is a class of common conditions known as impulse control disorders. Disorders of this nature involve an individual who has difficulty resisting the urge to engage in certain behavior and actions. These behaviors and actions are ultimately harmful and self-destructive. Impulsive behavior can also involve positive…
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What do you do when the whole world seems to be falling apart? That is a question on everybody’s mind these days. With the stock market declining and COVID-19 cases increasing, anxiety has become a commonplace emotion. We are now facing social isolation at a time when our fears of being able to provide for…
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People often associate impulsive behavior with children. However, people of all ages can develop disorders involving impulse control, including adolescents. When impulsive behavior involves drugs or alcohol, the individual can develop an addiction to the substance and may require teen substance abuse treatment. Yoga therapy can help alleviate the stress and anxiety that drives impulsive…
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Balancing academics, social needs, and future goals during adolescence can be stressful. Especially when you struggle with a mental health condition. Mental health with teens and school can make it even more difficult to identify, manage, and control mental health symptoms. Stressors, like grades or athletics, can aggravate symptoms and make it harder to navigate…
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