Adolescent Psychology

teenager standing in a dark hallway

Universal Depression Screenings in New Jersey

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Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and emotional trauma are increasing in both the state of New Jersey and nationwide. Due to this mental health crisis, New Jersey will be introducing universal mental health screenings for all students grades seven through twelve. It is often hard to recognize when teenagers are having a hard time. These mental health screenings were introduced to public schools in New Jersey in the hopes that they will be able to identify students who need help with their mental health.

All You Need to Know About the Screenings

According to NJ.com, between 2007 and 2017, the number of suicides among 10 to 24-year-olds increased by 56 percent. As long as parents give consent, students will be able to complete a computerized screening survey and the parents would be notified if the student is flagged for showing symptoms of depression.

It is important for parents to understand that screening results are not a formal diagnosis. Once parents receive screening results, schools will advise parents to share the results with a doctor or psychologist. The bill is attempting to raise awareness about mental health diseases and give parents the ability to seek professional help and prevent further suicides. The annual screenings also attempt to educate students about mental health issues. The bill will allow people to start talking about these issues and make people more comfortable expressing their own experience with mental health illness. We are hopeful that this screening will bring us one step closer to breaking the mental health stigma and provide help to those who need it quickly and easily.

New Alliance Academy in Paramus, NJ provides educational and ancillary therapeutic services for high school teenagers experiencing acute psychological distress.

student walking through library at school

Why Home Instruction Negatively Affects Those with Mental Illness

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According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, at least one in five school-aged children has a mental health condition. Emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues can interfere with a child’s academic performance and can cause children to perform negatively in school. If your child suffers from a mental health condition, you may believe that the best choice to take for them would be to transition to homeschooling. Although this may seem like the right decision, there are situations where homeschooling can be more harmful and can create a more restrictive environment for children.

The Drawbacks of Homeschooling

Home instruction is not always the answer for children suffering with mental health issues. It is evident that homeschooling can eliminate the stress of public school for most children, however, that is only a temporary fix. In fact, avoiding the stress that comes with attending school and being surrounded by others can negatively impact your child because they will not be able to develop the coping skills they need to handle stress later in life. Also, home instruction can prevent much-needed social interaction children need to thrive. In order for home instruction to be effective, it has to meet the child’s educational needs while dealing with their mental health issues. In most cases, parents are not able to fulfill both educational requirements and help their children with their mental illness. Another important thing to mention is that children who are homeschooled lose access to the extracurricular activities and school facilities that help boost their learning experience

Seek Professional Help

If you are considering home instruction for your child, please note that there are other options that could be more beneficial for your child such as therapeutic education. Therapeutic schools integrate classroom instructions with therapeutic services to help your child succeed in school. Not only do therapeutic schools provide academic learning, they also provide life, social, and coping skills that students will need to be successful later in life.

New Alliance Academy provides educational and ancillary therapeutic services for high school teenagers experiencing acute psychological distress.

depressed teen

Examples of Pathological Conflict in Teens and What Parents Can Do About It

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As children grow into adolescence, they begin to display significant changes in their behavior that are in most cases normal and developmentally appropriate. However, many parents want to make sure that these newly displayed actions belong to the expected range rather than requiring specialized attention. Our first blog post reviewed teenager behavioral changes in conduct that are usually considered within normal developmental patterns. This second post will review the characteristics of conflictive behavior that is generally considered as pathological.

What Behaviors are Outside the Expected Developmental Range?

Aggressive actions are outside the expected developmental range when socially unacceptable, even if a one-time event. Furthermore, severe threats to people or property, initiating violent physical fights, use of weapons, destruction of property, truancy and school failure, and theft are all aggressive actions outside the expected developmental range. Other milder types of conflict can also be pathological when they can’t be explained by a situational circumstance. Also, if these milder types of conflict are of high intensity, frequency, duration, and severity and do not respond to corrective adult feedback within a reasonable time, they could be considered pathological.

Takeaways

It is important to note that general guidelines can never replace a parent’s “gut feeling” and that no one knows a teenager better than his or her parents. If a parent feels the youngster’s behavior is worrisome, even if it is within “normal” guidelines, it is better to err on the side of caution and seek another opinion. The reason the behaviors listed above are of concern is that they can point out to the presence of psychiatric illnesses such as Bipolar Disorder, Illicit Substance Use, Schizophrenia, ADHD (severe), and Conduct Disorder amongst others. When conflictive behaviors such as the ones described are present, it is prudent to discuss them with a guidance counselor and pediatrician first, but also consider a consultation with a specialized mental health professional. These mental health professionals include psychologists, counselors, and social workers who can provide an authoritative opinion regarding the adolescent’s behavior. Following an evaluation, should the professional find the behavior outside the expected range, there may be recommendations for individual and family psychotherapy, and for coordination with the school for an educational evaluation. In some instances, a referral to a child psychiatrist may also be entertained.

New Alliance Academy in Paramus, NJ is a therapeutic school that provides educational and ancillary therapeutic services for high school teenagers experiencing acute psychological distress.

woman comforting daughter

How to Determine What is a Normal Behavioral Change Resulting from Adolescence

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Adolescence prepares individuals for a successful transition from childhood to adulthood and is characterized by significant neurohormonal and attitudinal changes. As children grow into adolescence and become more independent, parents sometimes ask themselves about how to distinguish between newly developed, normal behaviors and new behaviors that should cause concern.

What is the Expected (Normal) Range of Adolescent Behavior?

In general terms, although teenagers no longer remain the cute, obedient children of their past, adolescents are mostly cooperative and fun to be around. Adolescents develop new skills and talents, are creative and candid, and are always searching for the truth. They are interested in advancing social causes and work hard in group settings. They also begin to display more humor, contagious energy, and compassion. However, as part of their expected development, they will also show mood swings, have a tendency to over dramatize, display impulsive behavior, and develop a strong sexual interest. They may begin to distance themselves from family and seem to display selfish behavior, engage in substance experimentation, and become argumentative.

The expected (normal) range of human behaviors is very wide. A good definition of “pathological/abnormal” behavior is based on the level of dysfunction it causes. In other words, a behavior is pathological when it impairs an individual’s appropriate ongoing functioning. Although some behaviors can be upsetting to adults, they are usually within the normal range if they are transitory and mild.

One of the most frequent parental concerns is the presence of conflict and aggression. Usual conflictive behaviors that generate parent/youth arguments include music volume, choice of attire, association with the wrong crowd, internet/phone usage, chores, and curfew. Passionate discussions in class with teachers regarding social and historical issues are not infrequent and isolated arguments at events, parties, and team rivalries are common. Usually, all of the above behaviors are transitory, mild, and tend to respond to feedback from adults.

On the next post, we will review examples of pathological conflict and what parents can do about it.

New Alliance Academy is a school in Paramus, NJ that provides educational and ancillary therapeutic services for high school teenagers experiencing acute psychological distress.