Teenagers are not exactly known for making it easy to figure out what is going on with them. One day, your teenager is talking to you about school or whatever else has temporarily captured their attention, and the next day, suddenly you get a one-word answer. This is common and probably relatable. Adolescence is a period of enormous change, and becoming more independent often means becoming more private, too.
I remember being a teenager myself and going through those exact emotions. Most were pretty regular teenage moodiness and angst. Some were more complex, dealing with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Some of these symptoms were further fueled by hormonal changes common in adolescence, and exacerbated by Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), previously known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), as well as Endometriosis. But my case was not rare; many teenagers deal with these combined conditions. The question for a parent isn’t, in my experience, whether your teen may benefit from therapy, but rather what deeper conditions can be discovered that may be addressed during therapy.
Not every mood change, argument, or bad grade means a teenager needs therapy. Anxiety in teens is normal. But sometimes the changes go beyond typical teenage behavior. The difficult part for parents is knowing where that line is. There are multiple factors to be aware of, such as physical symptoms that may indicate underlying hormonal disorders like PMOS, effects of suppressed past trauma, or environmental influences.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), parents should consider seeking adolescent therapy for their teens when emotional or behavioral changes persist for weeks or longer, cause distress for the teen or family, or begin interfering with functioning at school, at home, or with friends (NIH, 2024). That distinction is important. It isn’t necessarily about whether your teenager is having a bad week, but rather about whether something seems to be interfering with their ability to function or enjoy life.
What should parents look for?
1. They’ve lost interest in things they used to enjoy.
2. Their sleep or eating habits have noticeably changed.
3. Their grades or school attendance suddenly change.
4. They’re withdrawing from friends and family.
5. They’re frequently angry, irritable, or emotionally overwhelmed.
6. They are experiencing physical symptoms without an obvious explanation.
7. They’re using substances or engaging in increasingly risky behavior.
Therapy doesn’t have to mean something is “wrong” with a teenager; it may just mean they need extra support to figure out how to feel like themselves again. Parents sometimes hesitate to consider therapy because they worry it means their child has a serious problem, that they have somehow failed as parents, or that seeking help will make their teenager feel like something is wrong with them. Therapy doesn’t have to be a last resort.
Teenagers are navigating friendships, academics, family relationships, identity, social pressure, changing expectations, and a growing sense of independence, often without having the emotional vocabulary to make sense of all of it. Sometimes they need somewhere to figure out what they’re feeling in the first place.
NIH recommends talking with your child’s health care provider and, when appropriate, seeking an evaluation from a mental health professional experienced in working with children and adolescents. If you are concerned about your teenager, even a free 10-minute phone consultation with one of our trained clinicians who specializes in adolescence may help and give you peace of mind.
The question isn’t necessarily, “Is my teenager sick enough to need therapy?” A better question might be: “Has something changed, and is my teenager having a harder time than they should have to manage alone?” Sometimes asking that question is enough to know it’s time to start a conversation.
You do not have to wait until everything feels overwhelming. To learn more or request a consultation, call (818) 383-1399. We have teen therapists in Los Angeles ready to help you and your kids through family counseling and teen counseling.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for individualized mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified professional.
Annette Semerdjian is the Client Experience & Marketing Coordinator at Anger Management 818. She is a multi-media journalist and administrative professional who spends her free time volunteering at animal shelters and writing poetry.
