The teenage years are filled with difficulties. They experience many physical, hormonal, and mental changes during this time, which can severely affect their lives; however, if they go through a tragedy, it can affect their mental health even further. During this time, teen grief counseling can help them get better.
Teenagers usually have a hard time processing grief. They may lash out in anger, withdraw from social activities, or isolate themselves. They may find it difficult to talk to their loved ones about their feelings. That is why grieving teenagers need help from a professional.
If your child has recently suffered a loss or gone through a tragic event, their mental health may be suffering. If you spot the following signs in your child, you should consider grief counseling.
1. If they show disinterest in regular activities
When your child has suffered the loss of a loved one, it can take some time to resume regular activities like going to the movies, shopping with friends, or visiting relatives. But if your child seems to have lost interest in these activities that they previously enjoyed, even after a long time, it may be because they are still grieving.
They may not give a specific reason why they don’t want to participate in such activities and give vague replies like “I’m fine.” If you notice such behavior, you should consider taking them to a grief counseling professional.
2. If they seem withdrawn and isolated
If your child is grieving, they may become isolated and withdrawn from friends, family, and loved ones. While it is normal to feel that way for a few days, it can be quite alarming if the behavior continues for a long time.
If you have noticed that your child does not visit friends or family often and refuses to socialize, it may be a sign that they are still grieving and unable to move forward. Teen grief counseling can help them cope better in these situations.
3. If they are not focusing their schoolwork
A lot of teenagers will become overwhelmed with their feelings after the loss of a loved one. This can distract them from their studies, and affect their grades. They may also lose interest in attending school altogether. If you see that your child is falling behind in certain subjects, it may be a sign of depression due to grief.
It is good to reassure your child in these situations and taking them to professional teen grief counseling sessions can help.
4. If their sleep pattern is irregular
Grief can change and affect anyone’s sleep cycle, including teenager’s. After your child has suffered a loss, they may have a hard time getting out of bed every morning. They may spend a majority of time sleeping and ignoring other tasks.
On the flip side, some teens may also have insomnia after they suffer a loss. Overwhelming feelings can keep them up at night and severely affect their sleep cycle.
If you notice any such drastic change in your child’s sleep cycle after a loss, you can get them help by taking them to teen grief counseling.
5. If they have frequent emotional outbursts
Emotional outbursts, crying spells, or lashing out are all signs of a distressed mind in a teenager. If you notice that your teenager is lashing out at simple things and becoming emotional for no apparent reason, it may be because they cannot process grief.
Violence can also become common among grieving teenagers. If you notice that your child has become violent and has frequent emotional outbursts, you need to take action and help them get immediate mental health support.
6. If you notice signs of substance abuse
When teenagers are unable to process grief, they will often turn to alcohol or drugs for distraction. If you notice bloodshot eyes, the smell of alcohol, irritability, or the tendency to hide inside their room, it may be a sign of substance abuse.
It’s best to take prompt action and immediately take your child for teen grief counseling in such a case. If you don’t get them immediate mental health help, they can get worse.
The bottom line
Adolescent children are already in a vulnerable stage of their life, so when a traumatic event takes place, they may find it difficult to deal with the situation. Teenagers also find it difficult to talk to their parents about their feelings, so the best way to help them is by taking them to grief counseling.
A grief counselor will help your child understand and process their feelings. They aim at bringing hope and healing to grieving teenagers so that they can continue living fulfilling lives.
If you have seen your child doing these things after they have suffered a loss, contact True Health today.
