Being a teenager in today’s world comes with its share of challenges. Teenagers deal with the typical challenges of adolescence, marked by physical, emotional, and psychological changes. Then there’s peer pressure, academic responsibilities, and navigating their identities, not to mention the pressures of social media.
It’s an awful lot of change and pressure that can lead to mental health challenges and substance use.
As a parent or caregiver, it is vital to stay attuned to your teen’s behavior to ensure they get the professional help they need if their mental health is struggling. It’s also essential to understand dual diagnosis symptoms in teens, which are signs that they may be struggling with co-occurring disorders like mental health challenges and substance use disorders.
In this article, we’ll explore dual diagnosis symptoms in teens and what you can do to support them through their challenges and get them on the road to recovery.
Psychiatrist for Teens in San Diego
What is Dual Diagnosis in Teens?
Dual diagnosis is characterized by co-occurring disorders, typically mental health disorders and substance use disorders. Separately, these two issues adversely impact the lives of teens. But together, things get even more complicated. Both conditions often exacerbate each other, which creates a cycle of worsening symptoms.
While dual diagnosis is challenging, dual diagnosis in teens can be more severe since their brain and emotional regulation symptoms are still developing.
Common mental health disorders often seen in teens with dual diagnosis include the following:
- depression
- anxiety and eating disorders
- bipolar disorder
- attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Duel diagnosis in teens means that they struggle with any of the above mental health concerns along with substance use disorder involving alcohol or prescription or illicit drugs.
Recognizing Dual Diagnosis Symptoms in Teens
It’s not always easy to spot dual diagnosis symptoms in teens—many signs that would clue you in mimic typical teen behavior. But it’s still important to keep your eyes open for behavioral, emotional, and physical symptoms that the teen in your life may be dealing with mental health concerns partnered with substance use disorder.
Behavioral Symptoms
While it’s true that a teen’s behavior can sometimes be unpredictable, some telltale dual diagnosis symptoms should raise some concern. These include the following:
- hanging out with a new group of friends engaging in substance use
- isolation from friends and family
- increased irritability
- mood swings
- emotional outbursts
- decline in academic performance
- secretive behavior or lying
- risky behaviors, sometimes leading to encounters with law enforcement
Emotional Symptoms
Emotional dual diagnosis symptoms in teens are often at the core of the issue and can manifest in various ways, including the following:
- overwhelming feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- anxiety, worry, fear, or panic
- avoiding social situations
- disconnection from others, leading to increased feelings of loneliness
The emotional struggles of depression or anxiety may lead teens to seek substance use as a form of self-medication or escape from their emotions. That’s why keeping tabs on your teens’ emotional changes is crucial.
Physical Symptoms
Physical dual diagnosis symptoms can provide significant clues regarding your teens’ mental health and substance use issues. Some of the most common physical symptoms include the following:
- decline in personal hygiene
- considerable weight loss or gain
- lack of interest in clothing or personal care
- sleep disturbances
- unexplained injuries
- chronic health conditions
It’s essential to approach physical symptoms with sensitivity. They may be linked to deeper emotional and psychological struggles. However, addressing them early on can help your teen get the care and support they need.
Supporting Teens With Dual Diagnosis
As a parent or caregiver, you play a vital role in providing a stable, nurturing environment that fosters recovery. If you notice signs of mental health concerns and substance use, early intervention is critical. Here are some tips for supporting your teen with dual diagnosis:
Allow for Open Communication
There’s nothing worse than a judgmental parent or caregiver when it comes to mental health struggles. When supporting your teen with dual diagnosis, ensure you create a safe space where they can share their feelings and experiences. Do your best to avoid blame or judgment while genuinely listening and validating their emotions.
Educate Yourself
The fact that you’re reading this article is an excellent start. You can’t effectively support your teen without understanding their struggles. Do some research to help you better understand the complexities of dual diagnosis. This will empower you to approach the situation with empathy and knowledge.
Get Them Professional Help
Dual diagnosis in teens requires specialized treatment from an experienced teen therapist or psychiatrist for teens in San Diego. Our team of experts here at BOLD Health fully understands co-occurring disorders in teens and adults. We can provide a comprehensive assessment and curate a treatment plan tailored to your teen.
Monitor and Support Them Through Recovery
Not only do you want to ensure they receive the professional care they need, but your teen needs you throughout the recovery process, too. Stay involved by attending therapy sessions if appropriate, stay in contact with their psychiatrist for teens in San Diego, and celebrate recovery milestones (big and small!)
Encourage Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Work with your child’s teen therapist in San Diego at BOLD Health to coordinate teaching and encourage your child to participate in healthy coping mechanisms. Regular exercise, art therapy, mindfulness, and new hobbies can go a long way in their recovery.
Dual Diagnosis in Teens is Nothing to Shrug Off. Get Them Help from BOLD Health.
We get it. Teenagers and adolescents can be challenging. And sometimes, it can be easier to ignore them and just let them “do their thing” so you can do yours. But it’s absolutely critical that you don’t check out from your teen’s mental health struggles.
Early intervention is the best thing you can do for your teen dealing with dual diagnosis. Even if you’re unsure whether or not they are actually struggling with co-occurring disorders, if you suspect one or the other or both, it’s better to get an assessment from a professional before their challenges get even worse.
Contact us to learn more about our team of teen therapists in San Diego and how we can curate the ideal treatment plan for your teen.