Young men’s mental health is a dire problem that is often regarded as less severe. This pretense is why many boys don’t receive the critical treatment they need. It’s of the utmost importance to take all the symptoms, signs, and indications of adolescent mental problems seriously. Bearing that in mind, here are all the symptoms, red flags, stigmas, and common conditions associated with young men’s mental health. Blume Behavioral Health offers boys residential treatment in Torrance, California.
What are Common Mental Health Conditions for Male Teens?
Science tells us men are at a greater risk for acquiring certain mental health conditions. According to those studies, these are the most common mental conditions among male adolescents.
Depression
Statistics show adolescent boys struggle most with depression. This is supported by the staggering 80 percent of youth and young adult suicides reportedly being of the male variety. This ever-growing depression problem among boys is very serious. It’s not just a phase a child goes through. If these depression bouts aren’t tended to properly, it can contribute to the ever-increasing number of suicide deaths. Help us bring the toll down and reach out to us today to get your child the help they need.
Addiction Disorders
Many teens turn to substance use as a way to cope with their mental health battles and negative thought patterns. Correlatively, substance use among teens is easily accessible due to a variety of peer-pressure-induced circumstances. Sadly, these addictions only exacerbate depressive thoughts after the effects of drugs or alcohol wear off.
Bipolar Disorders
Stress and Anxiety Disorders
Causes of Depression in Teen Boys
Depression, the most common mental condition among teens, is caused by a variety of social, personal, and hereditary factors. Here is a specific outline of these collective causes of depression in teen boys.
Bullying
Raising awareness for bullying and its mental toll is on the rise for good measure. That’s because bullying is a primary cause of numerous mental health conditions. Sadly, many of these conditions don’t become diagnosed until later in their young adulthood. If you suspect your child is being bullied, be there for them and observe the impact on their behavior.
Academic Shortcomings
Problems at Home
When there are problems at home, whether it be friction between parents or siblings, it takes a toll on young women’s and young men’s mental health. If you believe this could be an underlying cause of your child’s mental health symptom manifestations, seek family therapy. Our dedicated professionals can mend your broken bonds and help you heal together in a healthy home environment. In turn, this will have tremendous positive effects on your child’s mental well-being.
Abuse
Physical, mental, or emotional abuse is hard to notice, especially since many children attempt to hide these abuses for various reasons. Regardless, underlying abuse remains to be among the most common causes of mental health conditions. If you suspect a child is the subject of any abuse for any reason, use proper discretion and reach out to the appropriate experts.
Traumatic Childhood Experiences
Difficulty Finding Purpose
Boys in their teenage years often struggle to find their purpose and place in the world during this transitional phase. This struggle can leave them feeling lonely, discouraged, and out of place during this confusing stage of their lives. Blume Behavioral Health helps resolve this by offering personalized treatment in conjunction with a wide array of hobbies and activities to choose from. These hobbies establish a sense of fulfillment, joy, and purpose to infuse into their daily lives.
What is the Stigma Regarding Male Mental Health?
Ironically, the stigma surrounding males who struggle with mental health is indirectly related to female stigma. For example, the stigma about males is that they are mentally stronger, therefore they should exhibit that by being less emotionally expressive. However, science tells us that quite literally the opposite is true. Studies show females handle mental well-being better than men, especially in their adolescent years. Though males are more attuned to emotional concealment, these mental health battles prove to be difficult specifically among adolescent boys.
The Problem with Young Men’s Mental Health Treatment Inequality
The problem with young men’s mental health treatment is that it is not held in equal regard to women’s mental health in many ways. This is exhibited in direct correlation with the previously mentioned stigma that males should be less expressive about their feelings. Consequently, teen boys often feel especially uncomfortable sharing such feelings that should be conveyed. Girls, on the other hand, are prioritized for easier access to mental well-being tools, when the numbers describe quite the contrary need. Thus, it is important to let your boys know the importance of expressing their needs and mental health struggles.
Signs of Mental Health Problems in Teen Boys
Children can conceal their mental health problems in their own ways. However, several behavioral cues indicate an underlying mental health battle. These signs include, but are not limited to the following red flags.
Lashing out Emotionally or Physically
Extreme Tiredness
Mental health battles, especially in adolescent boys, take a mental and physical toll on their developing bodies. This can lead to excessive sleep patterns and cause lethargy, draining their desire to perform even simple daily routines. This degree of tiredness seeps the life out of a teen’s overall drive and determination. If you notice any such behavior in your child, get them the help they need and deserve.
Social Seclusion
Withdrawing emotionally, physically, and vocally from social gatherings, especially uncharacteristically, is a telltale indication of underlying mental health struggles. This means they will avoid vocal or emotional communication with even their closest friends or loved ones. This dangerous behavioral expression leaves them alone to dwell on negative thought patterns associated with mental health conditions.
Significant Weight Gain or Weight Loss
Drastic changes in weight, particularly in a short amount of time, can be a red flag of unfounded mental insecurities. Take notice of any irregular behaviors or measures they may be taking to gain or lose weight. This can be tied to potential eating disorders which are also serious mental health conditions. Ensure that any actions regarding weight changes are done healthily and that their mindset for weight change is also healthy.
Attention or Focus Problems
Obsessive Fears or Behaviors
Compulsive acts, repetitive behavioral cycles, or phobias are key red flags of an underlying mental health problem. Examples of these obsessions involve constantly checking locks, repetitive hand washing, symmetrical arrangement of items, or other cleaning compulsions. These often stem from related phobias such as fear of germs, contracting serious illnesses, or other unfounded forms of paranoia.
Blume BH Offers Residential Treatment for Teen Boys in Torrance
Daniel Duel MD is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in General Adult Psychiatry with a focus on Addiction/Substance Use Disorders. As the Medical Director of an outpatient addiction clinic, he oversees a multidisciplinary team providing comprehensive care. He has extensive experience treating complex mood, psychosis, OCD, anxiety, and geriatric disorders. Dr. Duel is a UCLA graduate, trained in TMS and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
