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 […]
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 […]
When it comes to teen depression, most of the attention about this serious mental health disorder has been directed towards girls. While true that girl teens struggle with depression in greater numbers than boys, boys are more inclined to choose an impulsive solution for the disorder, including suicide. Among teens that do complete suicide, the […]
What happened? One day your kid was sweet and accommodating and the next he or she suddenly morphed into a surly, snotty, rebellious brat. Well, the good news is that in most cases, this too shall pass. The bad news is that, if not managed right, the bad behavior can escalate to the point where […]
All parents want their kids to be happy and confident and able to function normally in most situations. Of course as adults we all remember the horror of having to stand before the class and deliver a book report, recite a poem, or try out for choir, cheerleading, or a sport. We know full well […]
