There isn’t anything much more terrifying for parents than realizing their kids are young adults all of a sudden. The quick passing of time is scary enough. But there’s also the knowledge that their children are about to start taking on the world by themselves. Independence brings its dangers, of course. And at a such an inquisitive age, teens are likely to make irrational decisions. It all adds up for a concerning time for parents, and here are the five issues most will worry about.
Mental health issues
The brain is delicate during the teenage years. There is a lot of hormonal change to deal with, and many teens go through periods of crushing depression, stress and anxiety. It will pass in the vast majority of cases, But it’s also a time where underlying mental health conditions can start to come to the fore. Teens will have a lot of questions about self-worth, and it can lead to many different issues – even suicidal thoughts. If you suspect your child is suffering from mental health problems, try and get some help from your family doctor. But the main thing to remember is always be supportive of your child.
Drug addiction
Teenagers are inquisitive and want to explore things themselves. Combine this attitude with the fact they want to appeal to their peers, and you have a recipe for the introduction of drugs to your teen’s life. We’re not talking about illegal drugs here, either. Alcohol and tobacco are drugs that kill far more than any other. Prescription drugs are also a problem with teens. The big problem is that teenager’s brains are still developing, and addiction is a lot easier to slip into. It’s not just the health concerns you need to worry about, either. According to http://klgdefense.com/criminal-defense/drug-crimes/, there could be a big legal fallout, too. A conviction for drug crimes could hamper your child’s future in a significant way.
Eating disorders
Many teenagers experience body image issues, and these can often escalate into eating disorders. Bulimia and anorexia are more common than every before – and there is no sign of the problem slowing. It’s not much of a surprise that this happens. There is such a focus on bodily perfection these days. Images of fashion models and excellent use of Photoshop lead to unrealistic expectations. The results can be incredibly severe, and conditions like bulimia can lead to even more serious psychological issues. In some cases, eating disorders can even end in death. Make sure you are giving your teen the full support they need if they experience an eating disorder. Avoid playing down their concerns, and try and eat together as much as possible.
Skin cancer
Skin cancer is another growing concern, and again, it’s down to image. There is a widely held myth that brown skin is healthy skin. But according to http://www.skincancer.org/, the truth is somewhat different. If your teens are spending too much time in the sun, they are exposing themselves to a constant bombardment of harmful UV rays. And skin cancer is not something to be blase about. As a parent, it is your job to make sure your teens know the dangers of exposure to the sun and teach them how to protect themselves.