Is it More Than ADD?

Symptoms of ADHD and bipolar disorder are often confused—and often coexist in the same person. How to make the distinction, and suggestions for treating bipolar disorder along with ADHD. It can be difficult enough to obtain a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD), but to complicate matters further, ADHD commonly co-exists with other mental […]

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Tuesday, December 7, 2010: Recent Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse News

Teens who hit siblings more likely to hit their dates “There’s an intriguing and troubling study out today by the Boston University School of Public Health that found adolescents who have used physical violence, such as hitting or punching, against a sibling or peer in the past month are more likely to engage in physical […]

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Defining and Coping with Stress

How do you define stress?  What is Stress?? The dictionary defines stress as “the sum of biological reactions to any adverse stimulus, physical, mental emotional, internal or external, that tends to disturb a persons normal state of being.” Here are some common causes of stress in teenagers: Break up with boy/girl friend Arguments with parents […]

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Friday, October 29, 2010: Recent Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse News

Binge Drinking, Pot May Harm Teen Brains “Even teenagers know that downing 12 beers in a single night isn’t good for their bodies and can be dangerous. But a new study suggests that routine binge drinking like this may cause mental problems — including a reduced ability to think — that can last long after […]

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Overbooked, Under Stress

Most doctors agree that stress contributes to nearly every known disease or condition.   Today’s lifestyles and work habits, including long hours, increased commitments and less down time, make managing stress a trying task. Our teenagers are overbooked, overwhelmed and yet driven to succeed.  Primary sources of tension include academic pressure, relationship difficulties with peers, conflicts […]

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Monday, October 4, 2010: Recent Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse News

Better Screening Urged for Self-Injury in Teens “Not all kids who intentionally cut or burn themselves meet ‘classic profile,’ expert says.” Click here to read the rest of this article from HealthDay News. Community Works to Address Mental Health Issues “Caltrain officials have joined with local organizations and support groups to address the five young […]

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Friday, September 17: Recent Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse News

Substance Abuse News – Spinning Back into Control Click here to read this fascinating Chicago Tribune article about how former U.S. National Figure Skating Champion  and Olympian Nicole Bobek is recovering from addiction. Survey of Police and Teachers: Alcohol and Marijuna Most Serious Substance Abuse Facing Teens “The Center for Medicine in the Public Interest […]

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Palo Alto Weekly Addresses Teen Stress and Academic Pressure

Palo Alto Weekly. September 3, 2010: What Teens Need, Part 1 of 2: A veteran Palo Alto educator reflects on the challenges of high school – and how teachers, students and parents can help “Things have changed and – again, with variations for individual temperament – things have gotten worse, tougher to handle. The summit […]

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Why Teens Need Their Sleep

The following presentation by Teen Mental Health explains just how important of a role sleep plays in the well-being of adolescents. As teens head back to school, it becomes even more difficult to ensure that they are getting the 8.5 to 9 hour of sleep per night that is recommended by doctors. However, this slideshow […]

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