Let’s face it, human beings are prone to fibs, embellishments and fabrications, and little white lies. Some are even blatant liars. Lying is just one of many human foibles that we grapple with in our fallen nature. But when it’s our kids who tell lies, well now that takes on a whole different sense of […]
Slammed doors and angry outbursts may be just typical behavior that goes along with the highly combustible teenage years. Teens are transitioning from being completely dependent on parents as children toward the autonomy found in adulthood. This is a developmental phase fraught with supercharged emotions, including acting out in anger. But when does “typical” teenage […]
A teen that exhibits disruptive, aggressive, or defiant behavior is bound to become persona non grata in the school and social settings. These teens have a propensity to picking fights with others and to disregard social norms, making them unpleasant to be around. These behavior traits are features of conduct disorder, a mental health disorder […]
As most parents are aware, their teen’s blue moods are usually transitory. Often, the bouts of sadness are directly connected to a slight, a rumor, a criticism, or unrequited love. Teens are emotionally sensitive by nature, so social issues or academic challenges can easily whipsaw their moods. Moodiness is indeed part and parcel of typical […]
A child’s diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be life-altering for parents. Diagnosis is a mixed blessing, Relief in learning what their child is dealing with and methods of managing it, but sadness that the child may have to deal with ADHD for life. In fact, in one-third of children diagnosed, ADHD persists […]
Anything done to excess can develop into an addiction. Behavioral addictions, such as gambling, shopping, video gaming, and pornography, can hold just as powerful a grip on the victims as drugs or alcohol. Smartphone or Internet addiction is a case in point. It isn’t the hardware, or the phone, tablet, or computer itself that is […]
It has never been more challenging to raise teenagers. Teens are exposed to things that their parents may try valiantly to protect them from, but often feel hamstrung in their efforts. The proliferation of social media no only introduces them to unhealthy or risky online “challenges,” but also promote the use of drugs and alcohol. […]
Everyone has experienced that rush of adrenaline that accompanies a situation that evokes feelings of fear. For some individuals, the body immediately goes into panic mode, with symptoms of shaking, sweating, chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations that resemble an ensuing heart attack. These events are referred to as panic attacks, […]
Teens have historically gravitated towards pushing boundaries. Experimenting with drugs and alcohol is also not a new development among teenagers. What is new is the clinical research and brain imaging studies that have shed light on the differences between the adult brain and the teen brain, and how those differences impact decision-making, impulsivity, and the […]
Teen girls struggle with a mental health disorder, especially mood disorders, at double the rate as boys, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Teenage girl mental illness tends to appear most in depressive disorders, anxiety, eating disorders, and self-harming behaviors. Other types of mental illness, such as borderline personality disorder and bipolar […]
