Today’s teens face issues that you might not have faced when you were the same age. Dating violence, a higher incidence of sexually transmitted disease, pressure to succeed and eating disorders mean that these teens are sometimes forced to grow up quickly. Teen suicide is the third-leading cause of death among 10- to 14-year-olds in the United States, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Body Image
Some issues confronting your teen today can affect or even endanger her life. For example, if she has a problem with body image and develops an eating disorder, this can affect her life now and in the future. Eating disorders--overeating, anorexia nervosa and bulimia--stem from your teen feeling like she is fat.
Although she may be very thin, her mind tricks her into seeing herself as fat. Poor self-concept or self-esteem contributes to this skewed body image, according to the informational website Parenting Teens.
Other Issues
As your teen leaves childhood and begins to face young adulthood, the list of issues she has to face grows. Those issues can include dating, love, sex, pregnancy, drug and alcohol use, school work and family problems, according to Parenting Teens and the informational website Teen Advisor. Some may be so overwhelming, they lead to depression.
This is a time when a teen needs her parents' support. Ironically, it might also be a time when she rebuffs her parents.
Dating and Sex
Your child has probably entered adolescence with little understanding of the challenges that would lie ahead. Perhaps she has watched and talked with an older sibling, or you may have talked with her. This is a time to talk with her more seriously about teen sex and possible pregnancy, according to Teen Advisor. Make time to talk to her and let her know your expectations.
When She Needs Help
Some teens can find one or more issues taking over their lives to the point where it affects relationships with parents, siblings, teachers and peers. Some of these are problems your teen can learn to handle, especially if she knows she has your support. Other issues, such as dating violence, drug and alcohol use and depression need intervention and possibly counseling.
Severe Depression
Because some teens express marked stress, pressure to succeed, confusion and self-doubt, they can become clinically depressed. Suicide is counted as the third-highest cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24, according to Parenting Teens.
If you see signs such as changes in sleeping and eating habits; drug or alcohol use; violent behavior; neglect of personal appearance; withdrawal from fun activities, family and friends; frequent physical symptoms of headaches, stomach pain or fatigue; noticeable personality change; persistent boredom or a decline in grades and performance, take her to the doctor right away, according to Parenting Teens. He can evaluate her for depression.
