Teens may show depressive symptoms by being perfectionistic in their endeavors, hoarding, staying by themselves, and being excessively self-conscious. Teenage COAs may begin to develop phobias. Children of alcoholics experience greater physical and mental health problems and higher health care costs than children from non-alcoholic families. Inpatient admission rates for substance abuse are triple that of other children. Inpatient admission rates for mental disorders are almost double that of other children.
Children of alcoholics score lower on tests measuring verbal ability.
COAs tend to score lower on tests that measure cognitive and verbal skills. Their ability to express themselves may be impaired, which can impede their school performance, peer relationships, ability to develop and sustain intimate relationships, and hamper performance on job interviews. Low verbal scores, however, should not imply that COAs are intellectually impaired. Children of alcoholics often have difficulties in school. COAs often believe that they will be failures even if they do well academically.