Being a teen can be challenging as reproductive hormones come online to make the final developmental push into adulthood. Adding to these biological changes are the social pressures, which, in today’s digital world, are higher than ever before.
As a result, the state of mental health among adolescents in the United States isn’t great, and it’s getting worse. More than three million teens between the ages of 12 and 17 have depression, and nearly 32% of adolescents have an anxiety disorder.
As providers who help kids navigate every stage of childhood, Dr. Sharon Lucas, Dr. Rachel McConnell, and the rest of the team at Neighborhood Pediatrics oversee both the physical and mental health aspects of development.
So, if your teen is starting to withdraw and you’re worried, read on to learn more.
We first want to make an important point about teenage withdrawal — if your teen is pulling back from you in your parental or caregiving role but not other people, this is perfectly natural.
Teens are on the precipice of adulthood, and claiming independence from parents and authority figures is often part of the process.
So, the first question to ask yourself about your teen’s withdrawal is whether they’re pulling back from you or everyone.
If you find it’s just you they’re pulling away from, but they still have an active social life, it might be good to keep an eye on them; however, allow them to experience a little independence.
If your teen is withdrawing from everyone and everything, that is a red flag.
Adolescent depression is a growing concern in the US, and one of the first signs is withdrawal, especially from people, places, and things they once enjoyed.
Other signs of depression include:
Again, it can be hard to differentiate between a moody teen who is on a roller coaster ride of hormones and one who’s dealing with a clinical mood regulation disorder. However, you know your child best, and if your teen is struggling to find any happiness, it’s time to have us evaluate them.
The levels of anxiety in people of all ages are on the rise, and adolescents seem to be particularly prone to the issue. From generalized anxiety disorder to social anxiety, there are many ways in which anxiety can crop up.
Withdrawing from life is one warning flag of an anxiety issue, but there are others, such as:
Adolescents can also develop physical symptoms of anxiety, such as headaches and upset stomach.
If you recognize any of the signs we outline above, in addition to their withdrawal, it’s time to get help.
Even if you’re unsure about whether your teen is struggling with their mental health, it’s best to err on the side of caution and have us evaluate them. To get started, we invite you to contact us at our office in Shenandoah, Texas, at 832-843-2049 to schedule an appointment.
