Social anxiety in teenagers is a prevalent issue that can significantly impact their daily lives and interactions. It is essential to differentiate between typical teenage shyness and more severe social anxiety. Adolescents naturally become more self-conscious and socially anxious due to developmental changes. However, when avoidance of social situations becomes frequent and leads to withdrawal, it may indicate a more significant concern.

In our final session of the term, we talked to Clinical Psychologist, Dr Sarah-Jane Knight, about supporting teens with social anxiety, including spotting the signs and how to help.

The conversation around teen substance use, including drinking, vaping, and drug use, is an important one for parents, especially during the festive season when teens are socialising more, and the risks of experimenting with substances may increase. This week, we were joined by Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, Founder and Director of the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, to learn more about the substances in circulation, the factors contributing to substance use among teenagers, and how parents can best navigate these challenges.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterised by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) that individuals feel compelled to perform. These compulsions are often carried out to reduce the anxiety associated with the obsessions, but the relief is typically temporary, which causes a cycle of distress.

In today’s fast-paced world, teenagers face a myriad of pressures, particularly in academic settings. To support teens in the best way possible, it’s crucial for parents and educators to recognise the various sources of pressure and the impact they can have on the mental health of young people. Even the best-intended parental guidance can sometimes add more pressure, especially if it’s based on a different version of success than the teen sees for themselves.

Navigating the complexities of teenage mental health and communication can be challenging for parents and educators. This week, we talked to Dr. Bettina Hohnen, a Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience in child mental health and neurodiversity, who offered valuable insights into understanding and supporting teenagers, particularly when it comes to difficult conversations.

Autism in teenagers brings specific challenges, particularly in the school environment. Autistic teens often struggle with sensory sensitivities, social interactions, and the unpredictability of the school day. The overwhelming noise, busy corridors, and crowded spaces like lunchrooms can create significant overload and anxiety, making school attendance difficult. These sensory challenges, combined with the need for more sensory regulation and structured routines, can contribute to Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), where students avoid school due to emotional distress.

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a developmental disorder that often presents unique challenges during adolescence. This period of life is marked by significant changes, both physically and emotionally, which can amplify the symptoms of ADHD. Understanding these changes and how they affect teenagers with ADHD is crucial for providing effective support.

The digital world is an enormous draw for teens, offering incredible advancements in education, social interaction, and hobbies. Yet, there's always a balance to be struck between benefit and risk. Cyberbullying and online harassment remain significant concerns, with statistics indicating that a substantial percentage of teenagers have experienced some form of online harassment. 

Understanding and supporting neurodiverse teens, particularly those with autism and ADHD, requires a nuanced approach that respects their individuality and focuses on their strengths. We were joined by Dr Tamasine Black, Lead Educational and Child Psychologist, who shared insights on how to understand the unique challenges of neurodiverse teenagers, how to adapt parenting styles to meet their needs and support their unique challenges.

Teenage friendships are a pivotal stage of adolescent development. When friendships are stable, they can bring immense joy, but when teens struggle with them, as many do, it can significantly affect self-esteem, confidence, and overall well-being. In this week’s session, we spoke with parenting expert and psychologist Dr. Maryhan about the hidden dynamics of teenage relationships and how to provide the right support to help teens navigate the complexities of their social lives.

The transition back to school after summer holidays can be challenging for some teenagers. They may experience stress and anxiety as they adjust to new routines, teachers, and social dynamics. Understanding and supporting them through these changes can really make a difference to their emotional wellbeing. 

Whether moving up to secondary school, into sixth form or off to college, school transitions can be a difficult period for teenagers and their families, often bringing a mixture of excitement and anxiety. In this week’s session, we talked to our resident Clinical Psychologist. Dr Sarah-Jane Knight, about the common challenges teens face and what practical strategies parents and carers can put into practice to support them over the summer break and into the new school year.

Substance abuse and vaping are critical issues affecting young people today, with the 2023 Action on Smoking and Health survey showing that a shocking one in five 11-17 year olds have tried vaping.

In this week’s session, we talked to Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, Founder and Director of drug education charity, The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, set up in response to the tragic death of Fiona’s son from ecstasy.

Gender identity forms part of your sense of self. Connecting with your identity and being seen and accepted by others is crucially important for teenagers, their mental health, wellbeing and resilience. Adolescents experiencing gender-related distress face unique challenges that require careful and informed support.

In our latest live session, we were joined by Anastassis Spiliadis, a Systemic and Family Psychotherapist and Psychologist, to talk about understanding the complexities of gender-related distress in teenagers, the impact on mental health and the best practices for supporting young people through these experiences.

Teenage years are often marked by significant emotional and behavioural changes which can be challenging for parents, carers, and educators. For many, behaviours such as arguing, swearing, moodiness, and angry outbursts can become more frequent, especially during stressful periods like exam season. In this week’s session, Clinical Psychologist, Dr Sarah-Jane Knight, shared valuable insights into managing difficult teenage behaviour and understanding the underlying causes.

In a world where social media, peer pressure and societal standards are often dictating perceptions of beauty and worth, many teens can find themselves battling self-esteem issues. However, for some, these concerns go beyond typical adolescent insecurities and manifest as a more serious condition. In this week’s session, we worked through the complexities of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) with Dr Amita Jassi, Clinical Psychologist from the National Specialist Young Persons OCD, BDD and Related Disorders Clinic at the Maudsley Hospital, including recognising the signs of BDD and what parents and carers can do to help.

Research carried out by youth mental health charity, Stem4, highlights the significant impact of poor mental wellbeing on school attendance. Figures show that 27% of 12-18 year olds across the UK didn’t attend school the year after the pandemic, with family difficulties, bullying and exam stress as just a few of the reasons uncovered.

No parent likes to think that their teenagers are mean, and we don’t really think teens are mean either. However, we do know that many teens have a tendency to say or do mean things. It’s important that we try to understand some of the reasons behind these social interactions and what we can do to help teenagers learn from their behaviour.

This week, Jessica Hawley, Teen Mental Health Expert and CEO of the RAP Foundation, joined us to talk about what teens are coping with today that’s changing their developing teen personalities and personas, and how parents and educators can challenge the way young people talk to each other.

While most exams naturally trigger stress in teenagers, certain factors and beliefs can dial up the pressure levels. Feeling unprepared through lack of revision or procrastination, coupled with fears of failure or poor results can lead to a peak in stress during preparation time, having a significant impact on a students’ mental and emotional well-being. For parents and carers, it’s not always easy to know how best to support young people through these times.