Teen Mental Health Treatment in Los Angeles

Depression is a mood disorder marked by persistent sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities. Teens with depression may also experience changes in appetite and sleep, low energy, trouble concentrating, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide. In adolescents, depression often shows up as irritability rather than obvious sadness, and it can significantly affect school, friendships, and family life.

Anxiety disorders involve excessive worry, fear, and unease that don’t go away and interfere with daily life. Common symptoms include restlessness, irritability, racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, and physical sensations like a rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath. Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by extreme shifts between manic (or hypomanic) episodes and depressive episodes. Manic episodes can involve heightened energy, euphoria, impulsivity, reduced need for sleep, and erratic behavior. Depressive episodes involve persistent sadness, low energy, loss of interest, and feelings of worthlessness.

Beyond depression and bipolar disorder, several less familiar mood disorders can affect teens and are often overlooked or mistaken for typical adolescent moodiness. These include:

• Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD): A condition diagnosed in children and teens that involves chronic, severe irritability and frequent temper outbursts that are far out of proportion to the situation. Symptoms begin before age 10 and occur across multiple settings, such as home and school.
• Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): A long-lasting form of depression in which symptoms are milder than major depression but continue for a year or more in teens. Because it lasts so long, it can be mistaken for part of a teen’s personality.
• Cyclothymic Disorder: A condition involving ongoing mood swings between hypomanic and depressive symptoms that don’t meet the full criteria for bipolar disorder. In teens, symptoms last at least a year.

These conditions respond well to a combination of therapy and, when appropriate, medication managed by a psychiatrist.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after a teen experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. Symptoms may include intrusive memories or nightmares, avoidance of reminders, negative changes in mood and thinking, and heightened reactivity or being easily startled. Trauma can stem from many experiences that overwhelm a teen’s ability to cope, such as abuse, violence, accidents, bullying, or the sudden loss of a loved one.

If you or someone you love has experienced suicidal ideations or self-harm, you can call the 988 Lifeline 24/7 or visit https://988lifeline.org/.

Psychotic disorders are serious mental health conditions that involve psychosis, or a loss of contact with reality. Symptoms may include hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) and delusions (strongly held false beliefs). Examples include schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) affects emotional regulation, self-image, and relationships. Teens with BPD traits often experience intense, rapidly shifting emotions that are difficult to manage, and may turn to impulsive behaviors such as self-harm or reckless actions to cope. Fear of abandonment and an unstable sense of identity can make it hard to build and maintain healthy relationships.

Oppositional defiant disorder is a behavioral disorder typically diagnosed in childhood or adolescence. Teens with ODD show a consistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, argumentative and defiant behavior, and vindictiveness, especially toward parents, teachers, and other authority figures. While some pushback is a normal part of growing up, ODD is more frequent and severe and can disrupt family life, school, and friendships.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, activity level, and impulse control. Teens with ADHD may struggle to focus, stay organized, or think before acting, which can affect grades, friendships, and family life. Treatment may include behavioral therapy, organizational skill-building, family support, and medication management when appropriate.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) that teens feel driven to perform to ease anxiety. Many teens feel embarrassed and hide their symptoms, which can make OCD hard to spot. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including exposure and response prevention (ERP), helps teens reduce compulsions and regain control of daily life.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Teens often described as “high-functioning” have strong language and thinking skills but may struggle with social cues, changes in routine, sensory sensitivities, or managing emotions, and many also experience anxiety or depression. Treatment focuses on building social and coping skills, supporting emotional regulation, and addressing co-occurring conditions.

Impulsivity involves acting on urges without considering the consequences. Teens with high impulsivity may struggle to regulate their behavior, which can lead to poor decisions and difficulty managing daily responsibilities. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) help teens understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and actions and build stronger self-control.

Self-harm refers to intentionally injuring oneself without suicidal intent, often as a way to cope with overwhelming emotional pain, stress, or numbness. Self-harm doesn’t always mean a teen is suicidal, but it should always be taken seriously. Professional support helps teens address the root causes and develop healthier coping strategies.

Suicidal ideation involves thoughts about death, dying, or ending one’s life. These thoughts can range from fleeting to detailed plans. Suicidal ideation signals significant emotional distress and should always be taken seriously, with prompt support from mental health professionals.

If you or someone you love is experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7, or visit https://988lifeline.org/.