Mental health disorders are highly treatable, but managing symptoms requires help. That said, mental health stigma and teens struggling with emotional issues can create a barrier to treatment, as stigma can dissuade teens from reaching out for help.

Mental health disorders can impact anyone, making it essential to remember that struggling with mental illness is common. Additionally, it is critical to seek out a mental health treatment facility like Foothills at Red Oak.

Mental Health Stigma and Teens

When it comes to mental health stigma and teens, noticing the difference between symptoms of mental illness and normal adolescent moodiness can be difficult. Mental health disorders can cause a variety of symptoms that can include mood and personality changes. Experiencing negative moods like frustration, anger, and sadness is normal, but when you struggle with mental illness, emotions can become overwhelming and difficult to control.

Mental health conditions impact your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and can cause disabling symptoms. While mental health stigma and teens are firmly connected. 1 out of every 5 adolescents struggles with a severe mental health condition. Additionally, half of all adults with a mental health disorder began experiencing symptoms by age 14.

Sometimes, mental health stigma and teens with anxiety creates a perfect storm. Since anxiety causes you to worry about what others think about you, mental health stigma can discourage you from seeking treatment and aggravate your symptoms. However, mental health disorders are progressive, meaning that the severity of symptoms increases the longer you avoid treatment.  

Mental health conditions cause neurotransmitter imbalances and other changes to your emotions and judgment. Mental illness can impact how you interact with others, as intense emotions can increase conflict. Conditions like depression may make it more challenging to stay motivated to pursue your goals, while anxiety can make you avoid social interaction.

It’s essential to ask for help when you begin experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder because medications can take several weeks to alleviate symptoms effectively.

How Mental Health Disorders are Treated

At Foothills at Red Oak, we treat mental health disorders with both evidence-based and holistic therapies, such as:

• Cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy
• Medication
• Experiential therapy treatment
• Meditation and mindfulness exercises
• Acceptance and commitment therapy

The first step in treating mental health disorders is receiving a diagnosis, which can occur in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Since mental health disorders can cause similar symptoms, it’s essential to work with a psychologist or psychiatrist to ensure an accurate and timely diagnosis.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you learn how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. When you understand how negative emotions can influence your actions, it makes it easier to manage your symptoms. Another benefit of talking-based therapy is that it helps improve your communication skills. Learning how to express negative emotions ensures that you’re able to share your needs during recovery effectively.  

During recovery, understanding how to identify triggers and implement healthy coping strategies helps limit your risk of experiencing a relapse. Because many mental health disorders are chronic, you will have to find ways to cope with symptoms throughout your lifetime.

Medications are another method utilized during mental health treatment and can help reduce symptoms. Holistic therapies, like yoga and deep breathing, create healthy ways to handle negative emotions like stress and anxiety.

We use evidence-based and holistic treatments together, which allows your treatment plan to adapt to your individualized needs.

Connecting with Treatment Today

Mental health stigma and teens can make it difficult for adolescents struggling with mental health disorders. Even though symptoms can make you feel isolated or alone, treatment ensures that you have the support, understanding, and guidance you need to manage your symptoms and achieve recovery. If you’d like to learn more about our teen mental health treatment programs, reach out to Foothills at Red Oak today at 866.300.5275 to learn more.