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Most Common Mental Health Disorders in Adolescents

a man and his son talking about mental health disorders in adolescents

Mental health is an essential part of daily life. Unfortunately, a lack of education makes it hard for many of us to understand, talk about, and seek treatment for mood disorders. Teens especially struggle with mental health. Social pressure, hormonal changes, academic stress, and daily life can take a toll on adolescents’ mental health. Many of today’s teens live with undiagnosed co-occurring disorders. Understanding the signs of mental illness in adolescents can help young adults and their families find the treatment they need.

Is your child showing signs of mental health issues? Our team at Imagine Bellvue can help. Our programs help adolescents ages twelve to seventeen recover their mental health and thrive. Learn more about our treatment programs for co-occurring disorders in Seattle, WA, today. Reach our staff online or at 888.346.0473 for more information.

What Are Mental Health Disorders?

Mental health and mood disorders are conditions that affect behavior, mood, and thought patterns. While many aspects of life can affect a person’s mood, mood disorders often need professional intervention and ongoing support.

Some common signs your teen is struggling with a co-occurring mood disorder include:

  • Self-isolation
  • Mood swings
  • Changes in sleep
  • Changes in hygiene
  • Changes in school or athletic performance
  • Self-harming behavior
  • Changes in eating habits
  • Drug or alcohol use

Sometimes it’s challenging to spot mood disorders among adolescents because their lives and bodies are growing and changing. If your child shows some of these signs, it’s time to talk about their mental health.

Common Mental Health Disorders in Adolescents

Mental health disorders in adolescents are more common than you may think.

Some of the most common mental health disorders among teens include:

  • Anxiety disorders – Anxiety disorders are increasingly common. Anxiety is a dysregulation of the nervous system causing a host of symptoms, including fear and worry. Unlike present danger, anxiety focuses on the past or future, making it hard for teens to live in the present moment. Chronic stress, lack of sleep, and diet can contribute to anxiety disorders.
  • Depressive disorders – Depressive moods characterize depressive disorders. For some, SAD is common during winter months when schedules, weather, and amount of daily sunlight change. Others may struggle with depression throughout the year. It’s important to remember that occasional bouts of depression and normal but consistent depression that prevents teens from engaging in their lives are a sign to get professional help.
  • Attention deficit disorder – ADD, now ADHD, is common among adolescents. Characterized by short attention spans, repetitive physical acts like tapping, stomping, or fidgeting, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be challenging on young adults. Many struggles to focus on tasks, especially in school. This can cause kids to fall behind in classes and the general curriculum. There are many treatment options for ADHD, and it’s essential to understand as parents that kids struggling with ADHD are smart, passionate learners who need other strategies for daily life.

These are only a few mood disorders that affect young adults. Often teens can struggle with multiple mood disorders, and these can manifest as process addiction or disordered eating.

Treatment for Mental Health Issues in Adolescents at Imagine Seattle

If your teen is struggling with mental illness, they are not alone. Now is the time to get help. The team at Imagine Seattle is here to support you and your child. With trauma-informed care for young adults ages twelve to seventeen, Imagine Seattle can help your family uncover, diagnose, and treat mood disorders.

Our programs include:

  • Group therapy
  • Individual therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy
  • Trauma therapy

With partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, we provide your teen with the structure and care they need to understand their mental health, change harmful thought patterns, and thrive.

Learn More About Mental Health Disorders in Adolescents from Imagine Seattle

Get your child the support they need today from Imagine Seattle. Call us at 888.346.0473 or fill out our online contact form to get started with our treatment programs.