01.
Normal Teen Moodiness or Something More
02.
Pulling Away From Friends and Family
03.
Changes in Sleep and Eating Habits
04.
Slipping Grades or Avoiding School
05.
Constant Worry or Panic
06.
Anger, Defiance and Risky Behavior
07.
Bullying, Social Media and Self-Esteem
08.
Grief, Divorce and Other Family Changes
09.
Warning Signs That Need Help Right Away
10.
How to Talk With Your Teen About Therapy
11.
Teen Therapy at Nave Wellness Center
12.
When to Reach Out
Every teenager has bad days. Mood swings and wanting more privacy are part of growing up. What we look for is how long a change lasts and how much it gets in the way of daily life.
A low or irritable mood that hangs on for two weeks or more is worth a closer look, and so is a change that shows up at home and at school. Trust what you are seeing. Parents usually notice a shift well before a teen is ready to talk about it.
Raven Fisher, LCPC
13 Jun, 2025
Some distance from parents is expected at this age. Pulling away from everyone is different. Watch for a teen who stops seeing friends they have had for years or quits a sport or club they used to love.
Spending nearly all of their free time alone in their room is another flag. Losing interest in things that once brought joy is one of the most common early signs of depression in teens.
Sleeping much more or much less than usual can point to stress, anxiety or depression. So can skipping meals or sudden swings in weight.
Harsh comments about their body or strict rules around food can be early signs of body image concerns or an eating disorder. These changes drain a teen’s energy and focus, so they often spill into school and friendships as well.
A drop in grades is rarely about effort alone. Teens dealing with anxiety, depression, bullying or trouble at home often find it hard to concentrate in class.
Frequent headaches or stomachaches on school mornings and repeated requests to stay home are worth paying attention to, especially if your teen was doing well before.
Some worry before a test or a big game is normal. Worry that never switches off is different. A teen with anxiety may need constant reassurance or start avoiding social situations they used to enjoy.
Some teens have panic attacks, with a racing heart and trouble breathing, and may not know what is happening to them. Our page on anxiety explains what it can look like and how therapy helps.
Irritability is often how depression shows up in teens, so frequent outbursts can be a sign of sadness underneath. Look for anger that seems out of proportion to what set it off, or new risky behavior such as drinking or vaping.
In therapy, teens learn what sets off their anger and how to respond to conflict in healthier ways. Behavior problems usually ease once the feelings behind them have somewhere to go.
Bullying no longer stops at the school door. Group chats and social media follow teens home, and constant comparison online can wear down self-esteem.
A teen who seems upset after time on their phone or becomes very self-critical may be dealing with something they have not shared with you. Our adolescent therapy helps teens process what happened, rebuild confidence and set boundaries with peers.
A death in the family or a divorce can shake a teen’s sense of stability. Some teens react with obvious sadness. Others seem fine on the surface and show it months later through anger or slipping grades.
Therapy gives them a place to talk through feelings they may not want to share with a parent who is grieving or adjusting too.
Some signs mean you should not wait for a regular appointment. Get help the same day if your teen talks about wanting to die or not wanting to be here, harms themselves on purpose, gives away belongings or says they are a burden.
Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any hour, or call 911 if they are in immediate danger. Once your teen is safe, ongoing therapy can help with what led to the crisis.
Pick a calm moment rather than the middle of an argument. Tell your teen what you have noticed and that you are worried, without blame.
Many teens resist at first because they think therapy means something is wrong with them. It can help to explain that a therapist is someone outside the family they can talk to privately, and that they will have a say in who they see. Give them time, and let them ask questions.
Our therapists work with adolescents online across Illinois and Indiana, and in person at our Southland Chicago office. Teens meet one on one with a therapist about what matters to them, from anxiety and depression to anger, grief and family changes. We use approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which helps teens accept hard feelings and act on what they value.
Nave Wellness Center was founded by Raven Fisher, MA, LCPC, and is proudly Black-owned, women-owned and women-led. Parents are part of the process, and your teen’s therapist will talk with you about how to support the work at home. We accept a range of insurance plans, including most Medicaid plans; see Fees & Insurance for details.
You do not need to be certain something is wrong before reaching out. If a change in your teen has lasted a few weeks or is affecting school or friendships, talking with a therapist can help you both understand what is going on.
Getting support early often means the work is shorter and easier. Our team can help you find the right therapist for your teen.
