Some parents do not realize that their teenagers can have huge mental health problems. This is mostly because adolescents do everything they can to appear normal thanks to pressure from peers and family alike.

parents don’t know how to separate their teenager's normal growing pains from what might be  real problems with their mental health.  Teenagers can be hard to read, so it makes sense that these problems can go largely undiagnosed for some adolescents.

Sometimes Suicide Is The Result

There is a large group of teens with adolescent mental health issues that go undetected. Sometimes this goes on until it is too late. As parents, it can be hard to think that your child could possibly have these problems at such a young age, and even when the teen is throwing hints around, they can go ignored. That doesn't make those parents bad people, it just means they know very little about adolescent mental health. For some, when a teen tries to or succeeds at suicide, parents look back and see the signs when it is too late.

Depression and Anxiety Are Common among Teens

Depression and anxiety are two very common adolescent mental health problems that can occur. If you know that depression runs in your family, do not dismiss that this could happen to your teenager. Things growing up as a teenager are hard enough, but if you add depression to the mix, it could be overwhelming. Anxiety is a problem of adolescent mental health when teens are overwhelmed and feel that there is no way out of those feelings and the issues that might be causing that anxiety.

Be Watchful For The Danger Signs

Some signs that parents miss in regards to adolescent mental health issues are things that teens hide very well, and it is not too surprising that they are missed at first. Some teens deal with their problems by cutting themselves. They do this in areas where the cuts can not be seen and they go to great lengths to hide them. Those with adolescent mental health problems can also get caught up in underage drinking, drugs, and very questionable sexual activities. Those are things that some teens can easily hide as well, though not always.

Try Professional Help

If you think you see signs of mental health issues with your teenager, keep an eye on what is going on and see if you can get them to go in to see someone for evaluation. They may not like the idea, but if they are really having problems, they will probably give in - even if they act like you are forcing them. Dealing with and admitting to adolescent mental health problems can be very hard for a teenager, so keep that in mind. If you feel strongly enough that the signs are all there, do what you have to do to keep them safe and healthy. You don’t want things to get out of control.

Technorati Tags: Adolescent Mental Health, Anxiety, children, depression, Parenting, suicide, Teens

the topic became political fodder for abortion debates, it heightened public awareness of Downs Syndrome and a child who has it. We thought this was a good time to provide more  information about the disorder.

Downs Syndrome Is Not Preventable

Couples who are thinking of starting a family are curious about Downs Syndrome. Everyone wants a healthy baby and there is quite a lot of information available to couples on the subject of prenatal health and the prevention of birth defects. Though many types of defects and abnormalities can be prevented, some can not, such as Down Syndrome. Something about Downs Syndrome that couples may not know is that it is not preventable and it is not inherited through family genetics. Children born with Down Syndrome do not have to have a lesser quality of life than children without the disorder, but they do require a higher degree of educational intervention, as well as guidance for behavior modification.

What Exactly Is Down Syndrome?

Down Syndrome occurs when extra genetic material is present on the 21st chromosome, and is represented through specific characteristics. According to various internet resources about Downs Syndrome, the chances of having a child born with the disorder increases with maternal age, especially age 35 and older. Screening for Down Syndrome is recommended for all women who have had a previous child born with the disorder, or a variation thereof, and for all women over the age of 35 years. Amniocentesis is the preferred method to sample fetal cells, and is the most definitive way to see if the fetus is affected with any disorder or abnormality. There are other aspects about Downs Syndrome that can also be detected if the disorder is present. If the fetus is found to have a more severe form, called Trisomy 21, the pregnancy usually will prove to not be viable and will miscarry. If carried to term, the fetus usually does not live, and if it does, it will have an array of debilitating physical and medical issues that will limit the life span of the infant.

Children With Down Syndrome Have Certain Physical Features

We have all seen children with the characteristic features of this disorder. Most children that have Down Syndrome have certain physical features such as, decreased muscle tone, a singular crease on each palm of the hand, flattened bridge of the nose, and epicanthal folds over each eye. Developmental delays and varying degrees of mental retardation are also present, requiring these children to have some type of special education if feasible, and physical therapy, in addition to prescribed medical treatments and intervention. There is much to learn about Downs Syndrome, and couples that are thinking about having children should be aware of all the risk factors, incidence rates, characteristics, and what is involved in caring for a child with Down Syndrome.  If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, learn all you can about Downs Syndrome.

In summary, if a woman is over 35 or has already has a child with Down Syndrome, she should have Amniocentesis testing. A child born with Downs Syndrome will have a normal quality of life but will require special care.

Technorati Tags: birth defects, down syndrome, downs syndrome, Family, family planning, Parenting, parents