Posts by Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center
Is ADHD a Form of Neurodivergence?
A diagnosis of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) used to feel like something people would automatically judge, in large part due to not understanding the nature of the disorder. Is ADHD a form of neurodivergence and, if so, what does that mean? Hillcrest explores this subject to help people gain a better understanding of how there…
Read MoreMy Teen Won’t Get Out Of Bed: What To Do
Every parent of a teenager has experienced concern over how much or how little their child sleeps, especially when it comes to doing well in school and managing the rest of their lives. Sometimes, what started as something that happened now and then becomes habitual. Are you wondering why it seems like your teen won’t…
Read MoreTeen Mood Swings: Is It Normal?
Every parent worries about how the teenage years will go for their child because of how moodiness can affect adolescents as they try to balance between childhood and adulthood. Teenagers can run hot and cold in their moods and change how they feel quickly. When teenage mood swings become a predominant difficulty, the parents should…
Read MoreTeen Cliques: The Impact on Teen Mental Health
One of the most common adolescent experiences is being part of a teen clique or trying to become a member of a specific one. It helps define the individual to themselves, their fellow students, school personnel, and parents. Being part of a clique or left out of one can cause changes in a person’s self-esteem…
Read MoreWhat Happens During Teenage Puberty?
When teen puberty begins, it impacts not only the person who is going through it but also their family. The mood swings a teenager goes through during this time of great hormonal change can affect their parents, siblings, and other family members. Both physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty last for years, but…
Read MoreSigns of a Codependent Parent: What To Look For
Parenting a teenager is hard—even under the best circumstances. Adolescence is a time of growing independence, emotional intensity, and boundary testing, which can leave parents feeling anxious, uncertain, and desperate to help. In some families, that desire to protect and support can quietly shift into codependent parenting, a dynamic that—while well-intentioned—can actually interfere with a…
Read MoreWhat Does PTSD Look Like In Teens?
When people hear the term PTSD, they often picture adults who have experienced war, natural disasters, or major accidents. But post-traumatic stress disorder can affect teenagers too—and it doesn’t always look the way parents expect. In teens, PTSD symptoms are often misunderstood or mistaken for typical adolescent behavior. Mood swings, withdrawal, irritability, or risk-taking can…
Read MoreQuestions To Check In On Your Teen’s Mental Health
The teenage years are filled with rapid change—emotionally, socially, and mentally. Teens are navigating academic expectations, friendships, social media, and identity development all at once, often without the tools to fully explain how they’re feeling. For parents, it can be hard to know whether shifts in mood or behavior are typical growing pains or signs…
Read MoreSigns & Symptoms of Anorexia in Teens
Teen years are full of changes—physically, emotionally, and socially. Appetite shifts, body awareness, and mood swings can all be part of normal development. However, when concerns around food, weight, and body image become intense or rigid, they may signal something more serious. Anorexia nervosa is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder that often begins during adolescence,…
Read MoreHow To Discipline Teens: 10 Parent Tips
Disciplining teenagers can feel like one of the most challenging stages of parenting. Teens are striving for independence, testing boundaries, and navigating intense emotional and developmental changes—all while parents are trying to keep them safe, responsible, and supported. It’s no surprise that many families find themselves asking how to discipline teens effectively without damaging trust…
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