Signs Your Aurora (IL) Teen Needs Counseling

Stress is something few of us can wholly avoid. When it becomes constant, however, our responses to it can cause changes in the brain that result in mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. It can be especially troubling for teens who are still developing the skills and resilience for stress management.

Like other adolescents across the country in recent years, teens in Aurora have had to deal with major stressors from sources such as the pandemic, the increasing influence of social media, intensifying competition and an often contentious political atmosphere.

If teen anxiety and depression are not treated, these conditions can become debilitating and even fatal. According to an article by UCLA Health, teens and young adults currently have the highest rates of suicide compared to other ages.

If you have a teen battling anxiety or depression in Aurora, you have hope and support. Eunoia Counseling provides personal counseling for developing coping strategies for adolescents. We work closely with your Aurora teen to help restore a sense of wellness and establish the skills for managing teen depression and anxiety.

Aurora (IL) Teen Depression and Anxiety: What to Look For

Anxiety and depression can affect young people in Aurora in varying lengths and degrees. Some adolescents might suffer symptoms for a short time, such as a couple of weeks. Others might have a more entrenched and problematic condition that lasts for months or even years. 

Some teens might not want to openly discuss their mental health with their parents, and that is okay. You can still be an advocate and a support system by recognizing how your teen might be showing a need for professional help. A few indicators that your adolescent may benefit from counseling for depression or anxiety might include:

  • academic struggles
  • loss of interest and energy
  • decreasing appetite or eating disorder
  • sleep problems
  • anger and irritability
  • frequent crying and sadness
  • increasing isolation
  • promiscuity
  • drug and alcohol use
  • lack of personal hygiene

If you recognize any of these indicators that your teen may be suffering, you can show that you care and that you are a safe person to confide in. It is a time to be patient and calm with the teen while reserving judgments and opinions. You might even share your own past or current struggles with anxiety or depression.

Even if your teen does not acknowledge it to you, your support will be noticed. You can still be present for your loved one as an ally who can help guide them to people they can open up to in developing coping strategies for teen anxiety or depression.

Perfectionism: What Affects Aurora Teens?

Many adolescents are sincere about the effort they make toward something, whether it is in sports, academics, a job or anything else concerning performance. 

Having self-expectations and wanting to achieve are desirable attributes for a young person. However, in some cases a teen can become overly dependent on a need for approval or control that is attached to achievements. A relentless perfectionism in teens may morph into constantly seeking respect or approval from others.

For teens, a competitive atmosphere can add to this great inner pressure. They may develop a pathological fear to make mistakes and begin to mistakenly believe that their performance determines self-worth.

Perfectionism in teens can further lead to being highly critical or negative toward others they see as not perfect. This too can place a strain on mental health. If left unchecked, perfectionism in teens can lead to burn-out, depression and anxiety.

Eunoia Counseling provides the relationship and the skills for managing perfectionism in teens. Our approach contributes to a healthy self-image and a greater appreciation and enjoyment of achievements for your adolescent.

We also assist parents in recognizing perfectionism in their teen and guiding their loved one toward a more peaceful and constructive mindset.

Counselors for Aurora (IL) Adolescent Depression and Anxiety: Contact Us Today

Our teen counselors are all from the area, and they understand the stressors and circumstances your adolescent in Aurora might be up against. We look to ease your loved one’s concerns from the start by establishing a safe, private atmosphere where they can openly express themselves and be heard.

If your teen shows signs of depression or anxiety, we welcome you to discuss your concerns with one of our professionals. You can also learn more about how we work with teens to develop coping strategies and stress management for dealing with depression or anxiety. Contact us at (630) 340-8747 or info@eunoiacounselingnaperville.com.

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