by Melinda Barr

Created on: February 02, 2010

There are many warning signs to indicate a teen may be troubled beyond the normal angst and upheavals they generally experience. One of the biggest obstacles parents face is confusion between what is normal teenage behavior, and what is not. They may delay seeking intervention because they truly believe that this is just a phase the teen is going through and it will eventually pass.

Each child is unique and the signs of trouble could be subtle, inconsistent, and different for each one. Some warning signs of a troubled teen might include:

~ A change in grades or performance

 Like their adult counterparts, teenagers also display a marked change in patterns signaling potential depressive traits or tendencies. A lower grade could nothing more than some difficulty with a particular subject. However, a decrease in overall performance could be a signal of something more serious than normal academic challenges.

~ Extreme mood swings that do not fit the situation

Teenagers can have various mood swings from time to time throughout normal adolescent development. When the mood swings accelerate, or are out of proportion to the situation, it is an indicator of a deeper, more serious issue. Moodiness by itself is not a red flag, but extreme mood swings should be paid attention to. Defiance and belligerence are two key characteristics of a troubled teen.

~ Excessive amounts of sleep or a change in sleep patterns

Teenagers require a lot of sleep for normal growth and development. It is when his sleeping patterns change dramatically that you should sit up and take notice. Excessive sleeping is one key sign of depression. Another signal to note is changes his normal sleeping patterns, like staying awake all night and sleeping all day. A typical teen may pull the proverbial “all nighters” on occasion, but a complete reversal of sleep patterns could be a sign of trouble.

~ A change in social activities

Teenagers do not generally disconnect from activities they enjoy, be it sports, academics, or hanging out with their friends. Any significant change in social patterns could be a red flag that something is troubling your child. Again, watch for signs of belligerence, disrespect, and other negative factors. This new power or action is something he has learned. Left unchecked, these behaviors tend to cause problems in school and perhaps even with the law.

~ Avoidance and isolation

Many teenagers become skilled manipulators and experts at getting out of confrontations or difficult situations. If a parent ignores these signals on any level, the teen can easily manipulate the situation so that the parents believe that everything is fine. Do not avoid or close your eyes to these situations, even though they may be difficult and painful to address.

This list is not by any means exhaustive of all the warning signs and symptoms that your child may be troubled. Parents need to take an honest look at the behaviors and react quickly if they recognize any extreme changes. Do not measure the seriousness of your child’s problems by comparing him to other children, either within or outside the family. Just because you perceive your child as “not as bad as so and so”, does not mean he does not require intervention or professional help.

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