Having ADHD can affect every part of your teen son’s life, and you’re probably wondering the best way to help him. When it comes to treatment for ADHD, there are so many options to explore, it can be overwhelming.

The best way to approach ADHD treatment is with a holistic mindset. Your teen son may need more than one type of treatment to experience success. Let’s go over the different ADHD treatments and how they can help your son.

What Are the Treatment Options for ADHD?

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Mental health is a frequently-discussed issue, but did you know it’s only one part of the picture? When people struggle with mental health disorders or substance abuse, they often need help in multiple areas of their lives. That’s where behavioral health treatment comes in. 

Behavioral health treatment programs take a holistic approach that treats the whole person and is an effective method of recovery. Let’s discover how it all works so you know what to expect. 

What Is Behavioral Health?

Mental health and behavioral health are sometimes used interchangeably, but behavioral health treatment isn’t limited to mental health services.  [Read more…]

Teens are often hyper-focused on finding acceptance and belonging, which means they’re more susceptible to peer pressure and can easily fall into toxic friendships. 

If you’re suspicious of changes in your son’s behavior, it could be a sign that your son is hanging out with the wrong crowd. Here are some warning signs to help you detect negative influences, as well as positive steps you can take to navigate this tricky situation.

5 Warning Signs That Your Son Has Toxic Friends

• He’s having trouble at school: Your son may have sudden disciplinary problems, unexplained absences or poor grades. He may leave homework assignments uncompleted and neglect to prepare for tests.

• He ignores his responsibilities: Is your son late for curfew? Is he confrontational about household rules? If your son is suddenly ignoring all his responsibilities and giving you a disrespectful attitude, this could be a warning sign of unhealthy influences. 

• His hobbies have drastically changed: Many teens fixate on being likable to new friends. They’ll drop their once-beloved hobbies and adopt the activities of their new friends to impress them. 

• You can’t meet his new friends (or their parents): Be wary if your son has constant excuses as to why you can’t meet his new social group or refuses to let you call the parents of his new friends. It may be a sign that he’s trying to hide something from you.

• He shows suspicious behavior: You may notice fishy behavior, such as sneaking behind your back or staying out past curfew. If there is tangible evidence, such as lighters in his backpack or alcohol on his breath, your son could be abusing substances with his new friends. 

How to Guide Your Teen Son Away From the Wrong Crowd

If you witness any warning signs from your teen son, don’t panic. There are positive steps you can take to help him make better decisions about his social life.  [Read more…]

Teenagers are known to push boundaries. It’s natural for them to be defiant and rebel against authority. They’re eager to assert their independence as they figure out their place in the world, and sometimes it manifests in unpleasant ways.

As a parent, it’s hard to know when your teenage son is going through a typical phase of adolescence and when it’s time to intervene. Is your son just having a bad day or do they have a serious mental health disorder? Should you give them space or get them help?

The most important thing to keep in mind is that teenage behavior is a spectrum. Some behaviors are typical of an adolescent while others are clear warning signs of a larger issue.

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