Adolescence is a period of complicated and demanding conflicts. It is a time of rapid physical, social and emotional changes. Most teens cope well with this period in their lives, but for some, the problems can be crippling and even deadly. Signs of a teen in trouble include:

• Sudden, unexplained change in behavior, such as a normally well-groomed teen losing interest in his/her appearance
• Dramatic change in appetite (sudden/severe weight loss or gain)
• Noticeable change in sleepinig patterns, such as the inability to sleep or sleeping too much
• Restlessness, agitation, inability to concentrate
• Loss of interest in friends, social activities
• Feelings of emptiness
• Low self-esteem
• Self-destructive behavior such as abuse of drugs or alcohol, sexual promiscuity, running away, truancy, poor school work, breaking the law
• Anger and rage, verbal sarcasm and attack
• Preoccupation with death
• Overreaction to criticism
• Loss of self-confidence
• Rebellion or disobedience at home and in school
• Unrealistic fear of separation from parents
• Shrinking from meeting new people
• Wild mood swings alternating between elation and depression

Family counseling is offered at the Center for Behavior Health® at Baptist Hospital East and at Baptist Hospital Northeast in La Grange. Call (502) 896-7105 or toll-free 1-800-478-1105. Help is available 24 hours a day.

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