Help & Advice For Teenagers Facing Problems

 

Counselling is an important part of treating these problems.

Understand why their behaviours are negative, and how to cope better

Recognize and change negative thoughts that may cause or trigger their behaviours

Find better ways to solve problems

Learn better social skills

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Some of these negative behaviours are:

Suicidal thoughts and behaviours. These may include talking, joking, drawing, or writing about suicide or death, giving away cherished possessions, or expressing feelings that they are worthless or that the world would be a better place without them

Symptoms of depression, like being withdrawn, lack of appetite, sleeping very little or more than 9 hours per night, loss of interest in things they once enjoyed, neglecting personal hygiene, or crying for no reason or seeming sad for longer than two weeks.

Violent behaviour, harming or threatening to harm themselves or others, including animals

 

Suddenly gaining or losing a lot of weight, which could indicate a life-threatening eating disorder

Extreme, rapid changes in moods or personality, or drastic changes that last more than six weeks

Running away from home

Illegal activities

Behaviour problems at school

Using tobacco, drugs, or alcohol

A sudden change in friends

Risky sexual behaviour or sexual promiscuity

Other risky or dangerous behaviour

Noticeable changes in school performance or attendance

 

While some teens can cope with these events better than others, almost all teens will benefit from talking to a counsellor about them.

Sometimes a teen's behaviour will indicate that there is a serious problem that requires teen therapy.