Early Signs of Teenage Mental Illness

According to Cummins Behavioral Health Systems, environmental factors such as violence, severe stress or grief from loss can adversely affect a teen's mental health. Biological factors such as genetics, chemical imbalances and head injury also can be contributing factors. Mental health can create serious conflict in a teen's home, school and social life. It is critical that parents and caregivers know the signs.

• Teenage mental illness

Emotional Signs

• A teenager suffering from mental illness may feel worthless or be guilt-ridden. She may cry often, display anger and overreact to situations. She also is prone to worrying and being anxious.

Pivotal Changes

• Failing grades, loss of interest in otherwise pleasurable activities, eating or sleeping too much or too little, isolation from others, talking about suicide, feeling life is too burdensome and hearing unexplainable voices are changes a teen may undergo.

Limitations

• A teenager may be limited in his inability to concentrate and make decisions and may have racing thoughts that are difficult to follow.

Consequences

• A teen may act in a manner that jeopardizes her physical and mental well-being, such as using alcohol and drugs or eating and purging to avoid gaining weight. She also may destroy property, inflict pain on others and break the law.

Suicidal Warning

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that suicide is the third leading cause of death for individuals age 15 to 24. The warning signs of teen suicide include talking or joking about suicide, writing stories about suicide and engaging in reckless behavior.