For many parents, watching their child fall into the wrong peer group can be deeply concerning. Negative influences can shape a young person’s behaviour, decision-making, and self-esteem in ways that may not always be immediately noticeable. Over time, however, exposure to unhealthy friendships, peer pressure, and risky behaviours can lead to declining motivation, family conflict,…
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health condition that can significantly impact a child’s behaviour. Teenagers with conduct disorder often exhibit a consistent pattern of aggression, rule-breaking, deceitfulness, and defiance. For parents, dealing with these behaviours can be incredibly challenging and stressful. Understanding the nature of conduct disorder and knowing how to effectively navigate these…
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that manifests in various social, communicative, and behavioural challenges. Among these challenges, aggression and rage can be particularly distressing—not only for the child experiencing autism but for their families and caregivers as well. Aggressive behaviours such as hitting can signal underlying frustrations and difficulties that require…
Being diagnosed with ADD is a significant event for both teens and their parents. It helps everyone in the family understand the source of many of a young person’s problems. However, this seemingly simple diagnosis brings the potential for more specific clarity. Few people realize there are actually seven sub-diagnoses of attention deficit disorder. Venture…
Suffering multiple conditions at once causes a tangle of symptoms, making each condition diagnosis confusing and unclear. You almost fail to see where to start treatment for your teen or young adult in such dual diagnosis situations. But when you suffer from addiction to alcohol and ADHD, you do have hope for a more stable,…
When a teen’s behaviour is disruptive or alarming, it can have an impact on the whole family. As parents, it can be hard to understand what is happening or what to do about the issue. The first step for most families is to seek counselling, or even intensive outpatient therapy. But what should a family…
Do you have a teen in your home who slams doors, yells, rolls their eyes, or generally shows that they are not listening or invested in connecting? A disrespectful teen can upset the whole family dynamic. This type of power struggle is not just an inconvenience for the household; it can also teach damaging lessons…
Most people will likely lie at some point during their teen years. It is a stage of life where we form our personalities and move away from our close familial relationships to forge new connections with a larger social group. However, when a teen lies persistently, it can uproot and complicate an entire household’s ecosystem.…
Talking to your teen about any type of treatment can be a minefield. You might be concerned about how they will receive what you have to say, and you don’t want to push them away from receiving treatment. However, there are many ways of dealing with the issue. Learn more about several options that may…
Different types of mental illness plague teens from all across Canada and throughout the world. Living as a teen is hard enough, but mental health disorders like general anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can further complicate teens’ lives. Understanding these disorders can identify why getting the right behaviour treatment is so important. Growing…