Signs of Adolescent Mental Health or Substance Abuse Problems As Parents Experience:
- Feeling of constant worry
- Feeling that something is wrong
- Second guessing yourself
- Feeling that you do not know your teen
- Thoughts that you are a bad parent due to all disagreements and fights
- Being in conflict with your spouse over parenting your teen
- Keeping secrets about your teen from family or friends
- Rescuing your teen from law problems
- Rescuing your teen from school problems
- Lowering your values and expectations
- Allowing family rules to change to avoid conflicts with your teen
- Giving in on your teen’s demands because they are sad or angry
- Giving in on suspicious friends
- Second, third…fiftieth chances
- Believing that IT’S JUST YOU WHO HAS A PROBLEM because that is what your teen has told you
- Dreading late night phone calls
- Dreading parent/teacher conferences
- Getting 2nd and 3rd and 4th opinions from professionals on what to do with your teen – and none of it helps
In most cases, any of these signs can indicate a potential mental health or drug or alcohol problem. If you are not sure, get your teen an assessment.
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