Pregnancy is often seen as a happy, exciting time – but many people experience worry and stress in addition to the excitement. It’s completely normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed at times. But when sadness or anxiety starts to affect your daily life, or makes it hard to take care of yourself or others, it may be a sign of prenatal depression. Prenatal depression is common, affecting about 1 in 10 pregnant women. It’s important to recognize the signs and get help early—untreated depression during pregn...
When a child goes through puberty, they experience many changes until they reach sexual maturity. Parents will notice both physical and emotional changes during this time. For example, on average, girls have their first periods around age 11 or 12. Around the same age, boys may start growing several inches a year and notice their voice cracking and, eventually, deepening. Puberty lasts several years. It can start as early as age eight for girls and age nine for boys. During these stages from elementary ...
The start of a new school year can be an exciting time. But for students with behavioral health issues, it can also be challenging. Going from a relaxed summer routine to the demands of a school schedule can make it harder to cope with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For students with anxiety and depression, medicine can help stabilize their mood, reduce symptoms, and improve overall well-being. Students with ADHD may rely on medici...
Children and teenagers have a wide range of experiences—and that leads to a wide range of moods. As they grow, young people must learn to manage changes in their bodies, hormone variations, school and social stress, and many other life events. In response, it is normal for them to feel happy, sad, angry, excited, irritated, inspired, and other emotions. For people with bipolar disorder, shifts in moods, activity levels, energy, and thinking are extreme. Bipolar disorder may also be called “manic depress...
As children grow into their pre-teen and teenage years, they can become overwhelmed with stress and strong emotions. This includes feelings of anger, anxiety, hopelessness, loneliness, sadness, and more. Some pre-teens and teenagers react to these strong emotions by injuring themselves. Self-injury can mean: Scratching or cutting their skin with sharp objects. Hitting themselves with their fists or hard objects. Pulling out their hair. Burning themselves. What are the warning signs of self-injury? Many ...
Talking about mental health is not always easy. Many people worry that others will judge them or discriminate against them if they have mental health issues. This fear can stop someone from getting the help they need – and that can severely affect their life. Being open about your mental health struggles can help you find resources and get the treatment you need. When you talk about mental health challenges in the same way as physical conditions like cancer or diabetes, it helps the topic seem mo...
Taking Care of Your Mental Health If you have mental health needs, it’s important to deal with them, especially before they get worse and become a crisis. No mental health journey is the same – but the information below can help you lead a peaceful life. Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are some of the most common mental health conditions. These conditions can be managed with counseling and/or medication. Most people who have symptoms of depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder can successfull...
About one in five children and teens report being bullied. If your child has a disability or special health need, they are more likely to be bullied, according to stopbullying.gov . You can help your child by: Learning about the different types of bullying Making it easier for your child to discuss their experiences Finding school-based and other resources to help prevent—or stop—bullying First, it’s important to understand the definition of bullying. Bullying can be verbal, social, or physical, such as...
Growing up can be tough. The challenges of school, friends, and family can set the stage for depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. When mental health struggles are extreme, they can lead to thoughts of suicide. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death for children, teens, and young adults ages 15 to 24. The good news is depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts can be treated. Your child, teen, or young adult can feel hopeful and happy again. How can you help? The first step...