The teenage years can be a challenging time. While school, relationship, friend, and family issues occupy a great deal of their thoughts, many teens have not yet developed the coping skills needed to deal with certain situations. At times, life is difficult enough for adults who aren't experiencing all new challenges or trying to find themselves for the first time. Any stressor that a teen experiences can alter the balance in their life. Plus, tension, depression, and even suicidal behavior can result in teens who do not find an outlet for their stress.
One of the biggest stressors for a teen or a person of any age is the loss of a loved one. The death of a parent, sibling, or friend can have a huge impact on a teen's psychological well being. Often, they need counseling of a professional nature, or family counseling, in order to express their emotions and adopt healthy methods of coping.
Additionally, family issues often weigh heavily on a teen as they are just beginning to understand the severity of certain scenarios. Knowing how to parent a teen, and what issues to discuss or include them in can be difficult. If a teen's father or mother lose employment, struggle financially, argue with one another, or get divorced, it may cause them a significant amount of stress. Often, family issues aren't discussed with teens. However, more than likely they would benefit from expressing their feeling about the situation to a close family member.
Normal, every day type of stress can have an large impact on teens. Keeping up with grades, attending a new school, getting a drivers license, starting to date, experiencing a break up, losing a part time job, or having trouble with a teacher, principal, or boss can all be taxing situations. Many times an assortment of smaller stressors can add up, causing excessive tension or depression. Even positive occurrences in a teens life,such as winning an award can increase the sense of pressure they feel to succeed and add additional stress.
Teens should be taught to talk through their problems and find healthy ways to relieve stress. Violent behavior, suicidal tenancies, and feelings of hopelessness may result, if healthy coping mechanisms are not learned. Encouraging teens to exercise, participate in recreational activities that they enjoy, stay organized, and take time for themselves will ultimately help them adopt good stress relief and prevention skills.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Teen Violence Risk Factors
According to new statistics, teens are becoming more violent. From fights and gang activity to dating abuse and murder, it has become apparent that schools are not as safe as they used to be. An average of 15 young people are killed every day, and more than 80% of those are shot with firearms. In fact, 1 in 12 high school teens are injured or threatened with a weapon each year. Additionally, more than 1 in 5 high school females report being either physically or sexually abused by a dating partner. These alarming statistics have many people wondering what causes teen violence.
Violent acts are not limited to any specific race or gender. There are perpetrators of all kinds. However, certain risk factors seem to be closely associated with teen violence. The primary one is teens who are themselves abused or come from violent homes. Additionally, teens without strong family ties or positive peer influences are more likely to act out violently. Gang activity often plays a role in violent behavior. Plus, teens who have Attention Deficit Disorder, anti social behavior, social problems, or a history of drug/alcohol abuse are at higher risk.
The victims of teen violence are usually other teens. Those who are at greater risk for being on the receiving end of violent acts include teens who have difficulty making friends or adjusting socially. Also, if a teen has any physical or mental characteristics that are out of the ordinary, they may likely become a target. Bullies and violence perpetrators often go after teens who are minorities, have poor self esteem, or come from a lower socioeconomic status.
If your teen is acting out violently, seek professional help. It is important that they receive therapy and learn new ways to express their emotions. Teen violence is a serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately.
Violent acts are not limited to any specific race or gender. There are perpetrators of all kinds. However, certain risk factors seem to be closely associated with teen violence. The primary one is teens who are themselves abused or come from violent homes. Additionally, teens without strong family ties or positive peer influences are more likely to act out violently. Gang activity often plays a role in violent behavior. Plus, teens who have Attention Deficit Disorder, anti social behavior, social problems, or a history of drug/alcohol abuse are at higher risk.
The victims of teen violence are usually other teens. Those who are at greater risk for being on the receiving end of violent acts include teens who have difficulty making friends or adjusting socially. Also, if a teen has any physical or mental characteristics that are out of the ordinary, they may likely become a target. Bullies and violence perpetrators often go after teens who are minorities, have poor self esteem, or come from a lower socioeconomic status.
If your teen is acting out violently, seek professional help. It is important that they receive therapy and learn new ways to express their emotions. Teen violence is a serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Huffing is a Growing Trend Among 12-Year-Olds
Recent news by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration SAMHA raises awareness about the dangers of kids and inhalant use. No one likes to hear about drug use amongst 12-year-olds, as it is a frightening thought for all parents. Even so, the fact remains that 1.4% of this age group have used marijuana, 0.7% hallucinogens, and .01% cocaine. Although these statistics are alarming, they pale in comparison to the number of 12-year-olds who are huffing, or inhaling common household substances to get high. Many young kids do not realize that huffing can lead to brain damage or death.
Nearly 7% of all 12-year-olds have used an inhalant to get high. This is even more than the 5.2% who have smoked cigarettes. The trend appears to be growing popularity in these kids, as toxic chemicals are accessible and legal. Paint thinner, nail polish, cleaning supplies, glue, and gasoline are all commonly abused inhalants that are located in almost every home and garage across America. An awareness has been made for the need to prevent such a young age group from getting seriously injured or dying as a result of huffing.
Many parents don't realize that 12 is considered the gate-way age for inhalant use. As a result, young kids are not always taught the dangers of huffing. The truth of the matter is that sudden death can occur from even a single time of using an inhalant. It can cause cardiac arrest or asphyxiation. Plus, huffing is addictive and often results in damage to brain tissue. Surveys show that young people do not perceive these risks accurately. Therefore, they may be likely to say no to illegal drugs, while assuming that huffing isn't so bad.
Middle school is a trying time in a kids life. Most kids are concerned about fitting in and growing into adolescence. Many of them will succumb to peer pressure, as they have not developed the maturity for good decision making. This is one of the reasons why drug use at such a young age is a major concern. As a result of the SAMHA's new study, efforts are being made by several organizations to focus on prevention of inhalant abuse in the 12-year-old age group. Hopefully, by raising awareness about huffing, the alarming statistics will drop and these young kids will be safer.
Nearly 7% of all 12-year-olds have used an inhalant to get high. This is even more than the 5.2% who have smoked cigarettes. The trend appears to be growing popularity in these kids, as toxic chemicals are accessible and legal. Paint thinner, nail polish, cleaning supplies, glue, and gasoline are all commonly abused inhalants that are located in almost every home and garage across America. An awareness has been made for the need to prevent such a young age group from getting seriously injured or dying as a result of huffing.
Many parents don't realize that 12 is considered the gate-way age for inhalant use. As a result, young kids are not always taught the dangers of huffing. The truth of the matter is that sudden death can occur from even a single time of using an inhalant. It can cause cardiac arrest or asphyxiation. Plus, huffing is addictive and often results in damage to brain tissue. Surveys show that young people do not perceive these risks accurately. Therefore, they may be likely to say no to illegal drugs, while assuming that huffing isn't so bad.
Middle school is a trying time in a kids life. Most kids are concerned about fitting in and growing into adolescence. Many of them will succumb to peer pressure, as they have not developed the maturity for good decision making. This is one of the reasons why drug use at such a young age is a major concern. As a result of the SAMHA's new study, efforts are being made by several organizations to focus on prevention of inhalant abuse in the 12-year-old age group. Hopefully, by raising awareness about huffing, the alarming statistics will drop and these young kids will be safer.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Huffing Statistics
Huffing is the purposeful inhalation of chemical vapors to achieve a feeling of euphoria. There are more than 1,000 common household products that can be huffed, including aerosols, such as paint, deodorants, and hairspray, gases, such as nitrous oxide from whipping cream cans, nitrates, and volatile solvents, like gas or glue. Nealy 17 million people have at least experimented with inhalants at some point in their lives. They are the fourth most commonly abused substance in the United States among 8th graders and high schools students.
The primary user group of inhalants is 12-17 year old children.
18% of 8th graders have admitted to huffing a substance to get high at least once in their lifetime.
Males and females abuse inhalants at nearly equal rates.
The average age of those who suffer inhalant related deaths is 25.
Signs of inhalant abuse include disoriented appearance, presence of paint or other inhaled materials on the face, hands, or clothing, red or runny nose, sores around the nose and mouth, slurred speech, nausea, and strong chemical smell.
Death from huffing can occur after the first time use, or prolonged exposure.
Kids who huff inhalants typically experiment with other drugs as well.
Using huffing as a method to get high can lead to permanent brain damage, and damage to the heart, lungs, and liver.
Cancer, cardiac arrest, suffocation, brain damage, muscle damage, bone marrow damage, choking, and death can all result from the act of huffing dangerous substances. Recognizing the dangers and teaching them to your children are the keys to drug abuse prevention.
The primary user group of inhalants is 12-17 year old children.
18% of 8th graders have admitted to huffing a substance to get high at least once in their lifetime.
Males and females abuse inhalants at nearly equal rates.
The average age of those who suffer inhalant related deaths is 25.
Signs of inhalant abuse include disoriented appearance, presence of paint or other inhaled materials on the face, hands, or clothing, red or runny nose, sores around the nose and mouth, slurred speech, nausea, and strong chemical smell.
Death from huffing can occur after the first time use, or prolonged exposure.
Kids who huff inhalants typically experiment with other drugs as well.
Using huffing as a method to get high can lead to permanent brain damage, and damage to the heart, lungs, and liver.
Cancer, cardiac arrest, suffocation, brain damage, muscle damage, bone marrow damage, choking, and death can all result from the act of huffing dangerous substances. Recognizing the dangers and teaching them to your children are the keys to drug abuse prevention.
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