Don't stress the mess
If you want a stress-free environment for your teen, let him create it. But don't worry if the space looks disorganized.
A cluttered room doesn't always translate into a cluttered mind, especially with teens, says Nina Woulff, a psychologist in Halifax. "Stress-free for him might mean piles of paper, loud music and walls covered in posters or painted black." But don't take his word that his space is relaxing. See if he's able to focus and do his schoolwork, or if he seems unfocused and unengaged in his homework.
Detecting depression
Your teen is prone to mood swings; is he simply stressed or clinically depressed? Use these questions as a gauge, says Colleen Gray, a social worker with the Canadian Mental Health Association in Toronto. If you suspect depression, consult your family doctor.
1. Are there changes in your teen's regular sleep patterns? If he's sleeping more than usual and not being more physically active, and this behaviour continues over a few months, be on the alert.
2. Has he been overly emotional (expressing extreme sadness/irritability) over a few months rather than a week?
3. Has his appetite changed?
4. Has he lost interest in activities he once loved?
5. Have his friends stopped calling, or has he stopped calling them? (This may be another sign of withdrawal from the world.)
