Your teenage daughter refuses to go to school. Your sister's child dyed his hair and had his tongue pierced. Experimentation is a natural part of growing up. And seeking independence is a hallmark of adolescence. There are obvious clues, according to Dr. Kenneth Steinhoff, a child psychiatrist and director of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UCI Medical Center.
Normal teens focus on their friends.
In fact, their peer group often becomes more important than their family. When a teenager is a loner, it may be a sign that something is seriously amiss. Difficulty with school. Refusing to go to school is an unmistakable sign that something is wrong. The same goes for a marked change in school performance.