If you're new here you might want to check out our top recommendation for parents. You can get a copy of The Total Transformation Program for free for a limited time, and it truly is a fantastic resource.

child_counselingA lot of teenagers, who end up being suicidal spend years going in and out of the juvenile court system, become dangerous to themselves in smaller ways – slashing their arms and legs, coping up with long-term depression, or getting themselves into trouble in the neighborhood. The way to being self-destructive is a long and gradual process. It is, therefore, hard to tell when a child or teenager actually crosses the line from being a “normal kid” to being a “troubled teenager.” This could actually mean that a number of troubled teens were not given professional help or it was too late to give it to them because the signs went unnoticed. Don’t make this same mistake. Seek professional help when you notice these signs in your child:

1. Intense/Constant Anger: Teenagers often have hormonal changes so it is not out of the ordinary for them to have mood swings. However, if they often display anger that leads to shouting matches or to violence, these signs should not be ignored.

2. Constant Sadness: Almost everybody feels sad once in a while, especially teenagers. These are popular topics for musicians to write songs about, after all. But if you notice that you never see your child happy, something else could be at hand. It could be a sign that there’s something bigger, like depression that you have to deal with.

3. Showing no Interest: All kids love exploring new things, different things and they find hobbies that they really love. They develop their skills and sometimes these hobbies blossom into a career. If your child seems to have shifted from being active to inactive and doesn’t do the things he loves doing, this should concern you. I’m not talking about giving up on one area of interest, but a more serious shift away from a variety of hobbies.

4. Succumbing to Peer Pressure: Friends or peers have a great influence in teenagers’ lives. It is normal for teens to seek acceptance but if your child seems to always succumb to peer pressure, this is no longer normal. Teenagers should still be able to make their own decisions and not be dictated by their peers. If they are, this is a sign of insecurity, low self-esteem and a lack of confidence; this may lead to bigger problems that may affect your kids their entire lives.

5. Cutting: Have you ever seen your teenager with slits on her wrists or arms? Does your child always wear a long-sleeved shirt even in the hottest weather to hide what they have done to themselves? This is a very serious problem. Cutting oneself is never normal and a clear sign that your child needs help. This kind of behavior is a potential sign that your child is thinking about suicide.

6. Eating: Some children develop eating disorders and this should also alarm you. If you notice a dramatic shift in your child’s eating pattern, you may want to evaluate why. This goes for both binge eating and starvation. Depending on the severity of this behavior, it can be fatal.

7. Lying: It’s normal for teenagers to lie about some things. But, if your child has developed a habit of lying at almost everything, this can be a sign of trouble. You should certainly discuss this with your child, especially if the lies are getting him or her into trouble.

Parenting is never easy. Some parents can never accept the fact that their kids are in serious trouble even if the signs are obvious to everyone else. I highly recommend The Total Transformation by James Lehman. You’ll learn how to deal with troubled kids.

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