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The Differences Between Adolescent Angst and Mental Illness

Picture of Stonewater Recovery By   ·  3 minute read
What makes the difference between adolescent angst and a diagnosable mental health disorder? It's crucial to understand what is going on with your teen so that you can give him the proper care that he needs. Several factors can contribute to developing a mental health disorder during adolescence. It's important to stay alert and understand these factors so that you can help your teen get the treatment he needs. Stress is one of the main factors contributing to developing a mental health disorder during adolescence. Teens are under a lot of pressure to do well in school, make friends, and fit in. This can be highly stressful and can lead to anxiety and depression. Understanding adolescent angst vs. mental illness is crucial to getting your son the help he needs. At Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center, we're committed to helping adolescents, and teen boys overcome mental health issues. To learn more about our mental health treatment, contact us today at 662.373.2828.

Adolescent Angst vs. Mental Illness

Understanding adolescent angst vs. mental illness is essential to finding proper care for your teen son. It is common for parents to confuse the two. However, there are critical differences between the two. Adolescent angst is a term that describes the normal difficulties faced during adolescence. On the other hand, mental illness is an abnormal condition that significantly interferes with daily life and relationships. Knowing the difference is important so you can give your son the proper care he needs. Here are some key differences between adolescent angst vs. mental illness: Adolescent angst:
  • Is a normal part of adolescence
  • Usually goes away with time
  • Can be helped with coping mechanisms and support
  • It is not indicative of a larger problem
Mental illness:
  • Significantly interferes with daily life
  • Often requires professional treatment
  • Can be indicative of a more significant problem
  • Can be helped with medication and therapy
If you are still unsure of what your son is going through, call us at 662.373.2828.

Adolescent Angst in Young Males

Adolescent angst is typical in teen boys and usually goes away with time. It can be helped with coping mechanisms and support. Teenage angst is a term used to describe the typical difficulties faced during adolescence, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. However, mental illness is an abnormal condition that significantly interferes with daily life and relationships. If you believe your son is dealing with adolescent angst, it can be dealt with in a few ways, such as:
  • Communication – Talking to your son about what he is going through can be helpful. It can help him feel understood and provide an outlet for his feelings.
  • Coping mechanisms – Teaching your son healthy coping mechanisms, such as exercise or journaling, can help him deal with adolescent angst.
  • Support – Providing support, such as love and encouragement, can help your son through this difficult time.
If you're still unsure of what your son is going through, call us at Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center today. We are here to help you and your son through this difficult time.

Signs of Mental Illness in Teens

There are a few critical things to look out for when trying to decide if your teenager is going through regular adolescent angst or if they are dealing with a mental health disorder. It's necessary to remember that every teen is different, so not every symptom will be present in every case. However, some common signs of mental illness in teens include:
  • Low, melancholy mood
  • Rumination about life, meaning, and purpose
  • Obsession with things "wrong" about their lives
  • Anger, irritability, or rage
  • Interest in existential music, literature, and film
  • Withdrawing from friends, family, passions, hobbies, and pursuit of happiness
  • Changes in sleep, eating, and hygiene
  • A drop in performance at school and home responsibilities due to forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, or lack of motivation
If your teen displays any of these signs, it's important to talk to him about it and seek professional help. These symptoms can indicate a more severe problem that requires treatment.

Getting Help for Your Teen at Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center

Mental health and adolescent angst aren't synonymous. Some behaviors and reactions may look similar, but many key differences exist. As a parent, you need to be aware of these. Your child's symptoms could be an indication of a more significant issue. For instance, depression in adolescence frequently precedes or accompanies substance use. However, where there is a problem, there is often a solution. At Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center, we assist in the treatment of substance use, as well as mental health disorders, through dual diagnosis treatment. For example, we can assist in treatment for: At Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center, help is available. We are skilled in providing healing care and life transformation to adolescents for substance use and secondary mental health issues. Contact us today at 662.373.2828 for information on our treatment programs or to learn more about the symptoms of depression.