Teen Mental Health
Sex Addiction in Teens: How to Recognize the Signs and Where to Get Help
If you’re worried that your teen’s sexual behavior has crossed a line from normal adolescent development into something compulsive, you’re not the first parent to wonder. The internet has changed how, when, and how often teens encounter sexual content, and for some, that exposure becomes a pattern they can’t step away from on their own.…
Read MoreWhat is Cancel Culture and How Does It Impact Teens?
The subject of being “canceled” has been all over the news for several years now, but what does it mean? Teenagers have the difficult job of wanting to establish themselves as unique and expressive of who they are, while also wanting to be popular among their peers. The fear of teen cancel culture can prove…
Read MoreWhy Do Kids & Teenagers Hit Themselves?
If you have a child who acts out by hitting themselves, you likely wonder what causes them to do that and what you can do to help them. Hillcrest helps parents answer the question, “Why do kids hit themselves?” Our approach to treating mental illness in teenagers includes allowing them to attend different types of…
Read MoreWhat is Teen Angst? Is it Normal?
Parents of teenagers know that at this age, a child can be quite adept at expressing dramatic feelings and springing from one emotional extreme to another. Teenage angst can create a lot of challenging moments in a young person’s life, with the fallout extending to their family and friends. While teens may be full of…
Read MoreA Parents Guide to Zoloft for Teens
Zoloft proves to be a vital drug for helping many people who struggle with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and more, but is it right for teenagers? Parents who have children who struggle with mental illnesses want to stay on top of what’s going on and understand any medications their child might take. This includes…
Read MoreAverage Teen Screen Time: What’s Normal in 2026
Kids today do not know a world without screen time options. They are growing up with computers, smartphones, social media, and streaming services for music, television, and film. What might surprise some parents is the average screen time for teens has increased dramatically to the point it makes up a large amount of how they…
Read MoreCoping With a Disrespectful Teenager: 5 Tips
We all remember what it was like to be a teenager who thought we knew it all and found input from adults tiresome, but what happens when we become the parents of teenagers? Being on the other side of this parent/child exchange can be confusing and leave parents wondering what average teenage behavior is and…
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 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…
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