There is a dangerous drug on the street that is able to produce serious side effects in teenagers who use it, and it is sold to resemble common household products, which may make it difficult to detect when a teenager has brought the drug into the parent’s home or is in possession of it anywhere.…
The adolescent brain is in an on-going state of evolution, and the use of drugs disrupts the development of the brain, it’s evolution, and its functions. Adolescent risk-taking normally peaks during the teen years, but sensation-seeking and impulsive actions are heightened when introduce drugs such as cocaine. Cocaine use among teens can impair their rational decision-making and…
Teen alcohol abuse is a significant problem for teenagers in our nation. Teenagers begin drinking for a myriad of reasons ranging from peer pressure to wanting to lose control, or for the experience of “partying” or bonding with their friends while feeling uninhibited in social situations. Studies show that alcohol abuse in teens can be…
American teenagers have been recreationally using and abusing a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. The name of this drug may sound unfamiliar to parents. Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are commonly prescribed by physicians for many legitimate medical conditions, such as anxiety and pain conditions, seizure and convulsions, insomnia, as general anesthesia, as sedation before a surgical or…
Eating disorders are serious, treatable process disorders that can affect people of every age, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The exact causes of eating disorders are unknown, but research has led to a growing consensus that a range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors contribute to the occurrence of an eating disorder. Common…
It is difficult to wrap one’s head around the idea of teen depression. After all, we were all teenagers once, and for most of us, there was no such thing. Unfortunately, it is real. Teen depression is a mental health problem where a teenager experiences feelings of despair, sadness, hopelessness, and/or anger for a long…
With teens dealing with depression, social media can be a double-edged sword, and indeed in today’s world there’s even the term “social media anxiety.” Some reports say spending too much time on social media can increase teenage depression, while other reports show how social media can help if it’s used correctly. One of the conundrums…
Missy is fifteen and often experiences extreme lows and extreme highs. One day she’s in a good mood and gets along with her family, friends, and teachers, and the next she goes into explosive rages and trashes her bedroom, lashes out at her loved ones, or hides in her bedroom and seems deeply depressed. Jamey…
Teen prescription drug abuse is a major concern in the United States, for families, schools, law enforcement, rehab facilities, and the juvenile court system—almost anyone who interacts with teenagers. What often starts as a diagnosis and a prescription to address that diagnosis often ends in an unintentional or intentional abuse of the prescription. These prescriptions…
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problems affecting millions of Americans. They differ from normal anxiety in that they involve prolonged and excessive worry. People who have normal anxiety are able to deal with stressful situations. Individuals with anxiety disorders have irrational fear, worry, and cannot deal with stress. It negatively affects their…