Separation Anxiety in Teens: A Guide for Parents
Separation anxiety is a mental health condition characterized by excessive worry and distress when a person is separated from a primary caregiver or attachment figure. It’s most commonly seen in young children due to heavily relying on their parent or caregiver to...
Why Are Teens So Depressed? 16 Factors That Can Lead to Depression
Teen depression is a real issue that affects millions of teens each year in the United States. In fact, an estimated 3.8 million teens between 12 and 17 experience at least one major depressive episode a year. The teen years are supposed to be fun and exciting. What...
7 Mental Health Resources for Teens in California
Depression and suicidality are on the rise among teens in California. These trends align with a more significant mental health crisis for youth across the United States. Several national and world crises have played a role in worsening mental health among teens. These...
What Parents Should Know About the Youth Mental Health Crisis
A national mental health crisis has been growing for several years. Teens are grappling with a lot of large-scale societal issues they can’t control. Climate change, school shootings and social unrest are just a few of the top drivers of anxiety and depression in...
How to Help Teens Cope With Summer Depression (Summer SAD)
Many teens spend the final weeks of the school year making plans and looking forward to summer fun. But for others, the last afternoon bell marks a very difficult transition. When summer weather heats up and school is out, this can be a time when environmental changes...
8 trauma disorders that can show up in children and teens
Our clinical understanding of trauma and related disorders has changed a lot in the past 10 years or so. We've learned how responses vary across age groups. We also know that emotional neglect and unstable caregiver relationships, as well as specific events, can cause...
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): Symptoms and Guidance for Parents
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a mental health condition that affects as many as 1 in 6 children and teens. ODD is characterized by a persistent pattern of argumentativeness, defiance and negativity directed toward figures of authority. These figures can...
Can Teens Experience Codependency in Their Romantic Relationships?
The teenage years are a whirlwind of emotional exploration, social discovery and the first tentative steps into romantic relationships. While these first budding romantic relationships can be exciting and teach teens important lessons about love and respect, they can...
Signs of Parental Codependency
The teen years are a crucial time in life for developing independence, self-esteem and healthy relationships. It’s important for a teen to have a supportive and secure parent-child bond. However, if a parent is struggling with codependency, this essential relationship...