Category: Teen Mental Health

As your child enters their teenage years, they will face a number of different challenges; both physiological and psychological. It can be difficult for your teen to navigate the changes that face them and when ignored, your teen may experience a variety of symptoms such as anxiety. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 1 in 3  adolescents ages 13 to 18 will experience an anxiety disorder. Since the pandemic, anxiety in teenagers has increased significantly. In addition to the effects of the pandemic, anxiety can also manifest from high expectations and the pressure to succeed, feeling that the world is a scary and threatening place, negative social/peer interactions, and social media. 

Anxiety can look different in adults and teenagers, as well as from teen to teen. 

Symptoms of Teenage Anxiety Include:

• Recurring fears and worries about routine parts of everyday life
• Changes in behavior, such as irritability  
• Avoiding activities, school, or social interactions
• Dropping grades or school avoidance
• Trouble sleeping or concentrating
• Substance use or other risky behaviors
• Chronic physical complaints, such as fatigue, headaches, or stomachaches.

Tips for Helping Your Teen with Anxiety

When untreated anxiety can lead to depression, substance abuse, and even suicide. As a parent, there are many ways that you can help your teen as they navigate life.

1. Talk with your teen about possible stressors: The way your teen views the world is significantly different from how an adult or parent would view the world. It can be incredibly helpful to take the time to try and see the world the way they do. When we feel validated and listened to, we are more likely to open up and communicate more effectively.
2. Be mindful of the expectations you set for your children and teens: Although high expectations can help your teen meet their potential, it is important to ensure that the expectations you put in place are realistic. It is also important to teach, model, and show your teen the importance of balance. Intensely focusing on achievements without downtime will likely leave your teen feeling anxious and unfulfilled.
3. Praise/Acknowledgement: Does your teen feel loved? Do they know that you appreciate their positive efforts? The more you acknowledge and communicate what you like in your teen, the more likely they are to continue engaging in those behaviors.
4. Healthy Habits (Routines and Boundaries): Does your teen have a routine? Do they know how to set healthy boundaries with themselves and others? Something as simple as ensuring that your teenager is on a consistent schedule will set them up for success; academically and socially.
5. Monitor Social Media Use: Do you know what apps your teen is using on their phone? Do you know who they are talking to and what they are talking about? As our world becomes more reliant on technology, the dangers of the world become more accessible to your teen. Knowing who they are talking to and what they are talking about, gives you the opportunity to provide context for what they experience, and could improve your teenager’s anxiety.

How ROWI Can Help

Engaging in mental health treatment is another way to support your teen as they navigate growing up and the likely anxieties that come with it. ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Centers can help you and your teenager with professional mental health support.  Each of our clients receives a treatment plan that will support them in meeting their goals. Programs are individualized in order to meet each client and family where they are at in the process. To get started with ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Centers, contact us or simply call our Admissions Team at 805-356-3477 and one of our helpful coordinators will assist you in completing an application, scheduling an assessment, verifying your insurance, and get you, your family, and teen started on your journey to mental wellness.

Experiencing a traumatic event can have a significant impact on anyone’s mental health, but it can be especially challenging for teenagers. Teenagers are still in the process of developing their emotional regulation skills, and their brains are still growing and changing. When a traumatic event occurs, teenagers may experience a range of emotions, including fear, anger, anxiety, and sadness. As a parent or caregiver, it’s important to know how to talk to teens after traumatic events to help them process their emotions and move forward.

Here are some tips for talking to teens about trauma:

1. Be Available: One of the most important things you can do for your teenager after a traumatic event is to make yourself available. Let them know that you are there to listen and support them. Give them the space they need to talk about what happened when they feel ready to do so. Be patient and non-judgmental, and let them know that their feelings are valid.
2. Be Honest: It’s important to be honest with your teenager about what happened. Don’t try to sugarcoat the situation or downplay the severity of the event. Teens are often more aware of the world around them than we give them credit for, and they can tell when adults are not being truthful. Tell them what you know and what you don’t know, and don’t make promises that you can’t keep.
3. Validate Their Feelings: It’s essential to validate your teenager’s feelings after a traumatic event. Let them know that it’s normal to feel scared, angry, or sad after such an experience. Acknowledge that what they are feeling is real and that it’s okay to express their emotions. Avoid trying to minimize their feelings or telling them to “just get over it.” Remember, everyone’s emotional journey is different, and it’s important to support your teenager through theirs.
4. Offer Support: It’s important to offer support to your teenager after a traumatic event. This can include therapy, counseling, or even just talking to a trusted friend or family member. Let your teenager know that there are resources available to them if they need help processing their emotions or dealing with the aftermath of the traumatic event. Offer to accompany them to therapy sessions or support groups if they need it.
5. Focus on Positive Coping Strategies: Encourage your teenager to engage in positive coping strategies after a traumatic event. This can include exercise, creative outlets like writing or drawing, spending time with friends or family, or volunteering in their community. Encourage them to avoid unhealthy coping strategies like alcohol or drug use, which can make their emotions more difficult to manage.

Talking to teenagers after traumatic events can be challenging, but it’s essential to their emotional well-being. Being available, honest, and supportive can help your teenager process their emotions and move forward. Remember, everyone’s emotional journey is different, and it’s important to support your teenager through theirs. 

How ROWI Can Help

Engaging in mental health treatment is another way to support your teen. ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Centers can help you and your teenager if you’ve experienced a traumatic event. Each of our clients receives a treatment plan that will support them in meeting their goals. Programs are individualized in order to meet each client and family where they are at in the process. To find out more, use our contact us form or call our Admissions Team at 805-356-3477, and one of our helpful coordinators will assist you in completing an application, scheduling an assessment, verifying your insurance, and get you, your family, and teen started on your journey to mental wellness.

The teenage years are a time of significant physical and emotional changes, and it’s common for teenagers to experience mood swings. These changes can be challenging for both the teenager and their family members to navigate. In this article, we’ll explore what normal teenage mood swings are and how to handle them.

What are teenage mood swings?

Mood swings are rapid and intense changes in a person’s emotional state. They are a normal part of human development and can be triggered by a range of factors, including hormonal changes, stress, anxiety, and social pressures.

During adolescence, hormonal changes are a significant factor that can lead to mood swings. Hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone fluctuate wildly during puberty, leading to unpredictable changes in mood.

Other factors that can contribute to teenage mood swings include changes in relationships with family and friends, academic stress, and self-esteem issues. Teenagers are also more prone to stress and anxiety than adults due to their  changing brain chemistry  and the pressure to fit in.

How to handle teenage mood swings

Teenage mood swings can be challenging for both the teenager and their parents or guardians to deal with. Here are some tips to help manage mood swings:

1. Validate their feelings: The first step in managing teenage mood swings is to validate their feelings. Let them know that it’s normal to feel moody, and that you understand that it can be challenging. This can help your teen feel heard and understood.
2. Encourage open communication: Encourage your teenager to talk openly about their feelings. Create a safe and non-judgmental space where they can express their thoughts and emotions without fear of criticism or punishment.
3. Maintain a routine: A regular routine can help regulate mood swings. Encourage your teenager to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, eat nutritious foods, and engage in regular physical activity.
4. Manage stress: Stress can contribute to mood swings. Help your teenager identify sources of stress and teach them healthy coping mechanisms, such as deep breathing, meditation, or exercise.
5. Seek professional help if necessary: If your teenager’s mood swings are severe or interfere with their daily life, seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can help your teenager develop healthy coping mechanisms and provide support during difficult times.

Mood swings are a normal part of teenage development, but they can be challenging for both teenagers and their families to manage. Understanding the factors that contribute to mood swings and implementing healthy coping mechanisms can help teenagers navigate this challenging time. By creating a supportive environment, maintaining a routine, and seeking professional help when necessary, parents and guardians can help their teenagers thrive during this exciting and transformative stage of life.

How ROWI Can Help

ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Centers can help you and your teenager with professional mental health support.  Each of our clients receives a treatment plan that will support them in meeting their goals. Programs are individualized in order to meet each client and family where they are at in the process. To find out more, use our contact us form or call our Admissions Team at 805-356-3477, and one of our helpful coordinators will assist you in completing an application, scheduling an assessment, verifying your insurance, and get you, your family, and teen started on your journey to mental wellness.

As teenagers navigate the ups and downs of adolescence, they may struggle with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. While traditional weekly therapy can be effective in addressing these concerns, Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) offer a more comprehensive approach that may be better suited to the needs of teens.

IOPs are structured treatment programs that provide more support than traditional outpatient therapy, but do not require 24-hour inpatient care. Instead, IOPs provide a higher level of care than traditional outpatient therapy, while still allowing teens to maintain their daily routines, attend school, and live at home. 

Why IOP’s are a Valuable Option for Teens Struggling with Mental Health Issues:

1. Increased frequency of therapy sessions: One of the primary benefits of IOPs is that they offer more frequent therapy sessions than traditional outpatient therapy. This means that teens receive more support and can work through their issues more quickly. IOPs typically involve several therapy sessions per week, which can be a significant increase from traditional outpatient therapy, which may only involve one session per week.
2. Greater support from peers: In an IOP, teens have the opportunity to connect and co-regulate with peers who are going through similar experiences. This can be incredibly valuable, as it can provide a sense of community and support that may not be available in traditional outpatient therapy.
3. More comprehensive treatment: IOPs typically offer a more comprehensive approach to treatment than traditional outpatient therapy. This may include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and other forms of support. This approach can help teens address their issues from multiple angles, leading to more successful outcomes. 
4. Flexibility: IOPs offer greater flexibility than inpatient treatment, allowing teens to maintain their daily routines and attend school. This can be particularly important for teens who may not want to disrupt their lives by taking time away from school or other activities.
5. Eliminate the need for higher level of care:  With frequency, community support and comprehensive service delivery, IOP programs can mitigate needs for acute care or higher levels of support.

Overall, IOPs can be a valuable option for teens struggling with mental health issues. While traditional outpatient therapy can be effective, IOPs offer a more comprehensive approach that can provide teens with the support they need to overcome their challenges. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, it may be worth considering an IOP like ROWI’s as a treatment option. 

 Contact us to learn more and to get support for your teen. 

PHP vs. IOP for Teen & Adolescent Mental Health Treatment 

As your child approaches their teenage years, they will face a number of different challenges, both physiological and psychological. It can be difficult for your teen to navigate the variety of changes that face them, from puberty and hormones to social issues like bullying and peer pressure. As a parent/caregiver, it can be just as difficult to find ways to support your teen during this time.

In order to provide support, it is important to understand the variety of challenges your teen may be facing. During puberty, males and females will experience a variety of physical changes including hair growth, muscle growth, changes in voice, breast development, menstruation, and acne. Your teen may also experience changes in body shape, including height and weight. 

Oftentimes, when our physical appearance changes, we also experience psychological and social changes. Socially, teens face issues of peer pressure, bullying, sexual activity, drug/alcohol use, social media pressure, etc., on a daily basis. When not properly coped with, these stressors and issues can lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, risk-taking behaviors, academic problems, and thoughts/engagement in suicidal ideation and self-harm, to name a few.

Options for Teen & Adolescent Mental Health Treatment

There are a variety of options for adolescent mental health treatment. Mental health treatment can range from weekly talk therapy to intensive residential programs. If your child is experiencing any of the above symptoms–especially symptoms related to safety– it is highly recommended and important to talk with your teen and a mental health professional to determine an appropriate level of care.

Partial Hospitalization Program

Partial Hospitalization (or “PHP”) is a structured, outpatient program that is an appropriate treatment option for individuals who need additional support with executive functioning, positive peer interaction, and are able to maintain safety while at home. Most PHP programming is Monday through Friday for a minimum of 5 hours per day.  While in PHP, your teen will receive comprehensive services, from individual therapy and group therapy to medication management. One of the many benefits of PHP level of care is that, despite the intensiveness of the program, those that participate in PHP will return home at the end of each day.  The main goal in PHP is stabilization so that your teen can acclimate to their normal routine. Other benefits of being in PHP include: having a space to learn and practice coping skills, increased social contact, having a daily routine, a space to process one’s depression and anxiety, and constant safety planning. Once PHP treatment is completed, it is recommended that your teen step down to Intensive Outpatient (“IOP”).

Intensive Outpatient Program

Intensive Outpatient or IOP is mental health treatment that individuals can participate in while still engaged in school and/or work. Typically, IOP is 3 hours of programming per day for 3-4 days per week. IOP is the perfect treatment model for individuals who need more than weekly therapy but are able to maintain enough safety to function successfully in school or at work. IOP is a great step-down option for anyone who was previously in a PHP level of care because IOP takes the skills one has learned in PHP and gives space for an individual to apply it in their day-to-day life. In IOP, you have the structure of treatment with the flexibility of life.

How ROWI Teen Can Help Your Family

To get started with ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Centers, submit a request or simply call our Admissions Team at 805-356-3477 and one of our helpful coordinators will assist you in completing an application, scheduling an assessment, and verifying your insurance to get you, your family, and teen started on your journey to mental wellness.                                    

Anxiety in Adolescents

ROWI

August 2, 2022