Do you do things sometimes that you regret almost immediately, yet find yourself doing it over and over again, each time promising yourself ‘never again’? Are these behavior cycles simply the result of bad habits, or are they symptoms of addiction or a behavior disorder that may need professional treatment to overcome? Maybe you, or someone you love, struggles with alcohol or drug use, gambling or shopping until no more credit can be extended, or the internet or cell phone seems to cause great anxiety when taken away. Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, are also related to behavior health. Answer these Yes/No questions to help you learn the warning signs and symptoms of a number of behavior health issues and help you figure out if you or someone you love is suffering from them.
Is my teenager a binge drinker? Binge drinking is defined as having 4 (for women) or 5 (for men) drinks at one occasion. Drinking so much in such a short time creates a high concentration of alcohol in the body. When the blood-alcohol level becomes dangerously high it leads to alcohol poisoning, one of the … Read more
Is my teenager a bully? Bullies thrive on controlling or dominating others. Bullying behavior can be physical or verbal. Boys tend to use physical intimidation or threats, while girls tend to bully other girls and the bullying is more often verbal. Bullies may be depressed, angry, or upset about school or home situations and have … Read more
Is my teenager addicted to the internet? Addiction is evident when an obsession with something disrupts the more important things in life, like personal relationships, schooling, or jobs. People can become addicted to pretty much anything, and teens are especially vulnerable to addictions, whether behavior or substance addictions. Take this quick assessment to learn more … Read more
Does my teenager have symptoms of depression? Early symptoms of adolescent depression can be difficult to diagnose because they appear to be so normal for teenagers. Teenage depression isn’t just bad moods and occasional melancholy. Depression limits a teenager’s ability to function normally. Depression symptoms in teenagers may include a persistent sad mood, irritability, feelings … Read more
Does my teenager have a learning disability? We usually expect learning disabilities to be detected long before a child becomes a teenager. Young children who actually have learning disabilities may not be diagnosed because the child is a conscientious student and simply worked hard or learned to cope. In middle or high school, it may … Read more
Is my teenager a suicide risk? Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5 to 14 year olds. Teenagers feel tremendous stress, pressure, confusion, fear, and self-doubt, perhaps more than at any other stage of life. For some teens, suicide … Read more
Is my teenager involved with a gang? A gang is a group of teens and young adults that hang out together and initiate violent, illegal, or criminal activity. They usually have a name and/or symbol. They often choose to wear a certain style or color of clothing. Many people think of gangs as just an … Read more
Does my child have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder? Do you feel like your child never wants to be away from you and seems stressed when you are separated? Maybe your child suffers from Separation Anxiety Disorder. Separation anxieties are normal for infants or toddlers. Separation Anxiety Disorder generally occurs in older children, still younger … Read more
Is my child ‘sniffing’ or ‘huffing’ inhalants like a drug? Inhalant abuse, also known as ‘sniffing’ or ‘huffing’, has decreased overall in recent years; however, it has increased among younger children. Inhalants are one of the first drugs that many children try, mainly because they are free or cheap and found in every home. Inhalants … Read more
Am I addicted to tanning? Love that ‘healthy’ glow that a tan gives you? Research proves that there is nothing healthy about that tan that looks so good. A recent study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of the World Health Organization (WHO), leaves no doubt about the dangers of … Read more