For Teens

A Happier, Healthier You

Here are some signs that what you’re experience is beyond what you should try to manage on your own:

• Finding little or no pleasure in life

• Feeling worthless or extremely guilty

• Crying a lot for no particular reason

• Withdrawing from other people

• Experiencing severe anxiety, panic, or fear

• Having big mood swings

• Experiencing a change in eating or sleeping patterns

• Having very low energy

• Losing interest in hobbies and pleasurable activities

• Having too much energy

• Having trouble concentrating or following through on plans

• Feeling easily irritated or angry

• Experiencing racing thoughts or agitation

• Wanting to harm yourself or someone else.

It’s not necessarily easy to spot these signs, or to figure out what they mean. The staff at Sanctuary are skilled in making an accurate diagnosis. As a general rule: the longer the signs last, the more serious they are; and the more they interfere with daily life, the better off you’ll be getting some professional treatment.

When dealing with mental health or emotional problems, it’s important not to go at it alone. Healing is a combination of helping yourself and letting others help you. Comfort and support, information and advice, and professional treatment are all forms of help. Think of all the people you can turn to for support. These are people who are concerned about you and can help comfort you, who will listen to you and encourage you, and who can help arrange for treatment. In other words, find the caring people in your life who can help you.