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Symptoms of depression, like being withdrawn, lack of appetite, sleeping very little or more than 9 hours per night, loss of interest in things they once enjoyed, neglecting personal hygiene, or crying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.