School personnel are also a good source of referrals for mental health services. When that down mood, combined with other symptoms, lasts for more than a couple of weeks, the condition may be clinical depression. This is a serious health problem that affects the total person. Anxiety disorders are illnesses that fill people s lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear that doesn t go away, and often gets worse. These disorders can change your teen s behavior by diminishing physical health and appearance, school performance, social activity, and the ability to handle everyday decisions and pressures.
Mental disorders are real illnesses, just like diabetes or other physical ailments.
Having a mental illness does not mean a person is weak, or a failure, or is not really trying. It means he or she needs treatment. Untreated, mental disorders can result in damage to self-esteem, poor school performance, problems with relationships and even suicide. Treatment helps reduce the symptoms of the mental disorder, improve relationships, strengthen coping skills and promote behaviors that make a person s life better. Neither parent nor teen should be afraid of what people might say or think about seeking treatment.