When a teen experiences trauma, whether it is bullying or witnessing violence, they need our help. However, identifying trauma in teens is often a challenge as adolescents can usually isolate themselves from others, a behavior that is common amongst many teens. As a result, adults should keep an open dialogue with the teens in their…
We’ve heard of teens obsessed with video games and seemingly cannot do anything else. Is this a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? Although sometimes, it can just be a passion or enjoyable pastime, some teens genuinely do suffer from OCD. Psychology Today even suggests video games can irritate OCD symptoms. If your teen is showing…
The teenage years come with nervousness, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed. Teens are continually establishing their identity, realizing that they are growing up and, even more importantly, learning that they are about to be adults. No longer children, teenagers are just one step away from adulthood. As such, it is essential to understand the difference between…
There’s no reason to ignore the situation when your teen has a substance use or mental health disorder. However, as a parent or guardian, you may be wondering: will they be able to keep up with their education while in addiction recovery? The short answer: yes, your teen will be able to keep up with…
Adolescent self-harm and injury are common in teens experiencing emotional distress. Often self-harm is meant to be non-suicidal. However, self-harm is an intentional action and reveals how a young adult is feeling. To combat the pervasiveness of self-harm, March is Self-Harm Awareness Month. During this month, organizations and influencers are dedicated to sharing information and…
Imagine being born a boy but always feeling like a girl. How would you view the world? How would the world view you if you decided to express your desire to be a girl? As young adults realize their identities, some understand that their biological gender is not their true gender. Also known as gender…
The adolescent years are naturally filled with many emotions surrounding identity and acceptance in social circles. In the last two years, teens have experienced even greater anxiety due to their online activity. Surprisingly, like social media engagement, online learning platforms also can present a source of anxiety for teens. If the young adult in your…
It’s often said that music is food for the soul. Music has the power to reduce stress, calm a person’s nerves and even spur creativity. And music is one of the easiest ways for people to connect–regardless of culture. That’s why music therapy for recovery is so powerful–it is cathartic and healing for teens on…
Dreary weather and dark days can sometimes make winter less than joyous. And while some people can shake off the sadness of cold weather, it presents a huge challenge for others. Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), impacts five percent of Americans. While there is no data available on how many teens…
The upcoming new year often makes people reflect on their lives and become ready for a change. The New Year often makes us consider resolutions for addiction recovery. And on January 1, we are ready to jump in–full throttle. But sometimes, carrying out our resolutions is short-lived, and we are left to wonder: what went…