The teen years come with a lot of change—emotionally, socially, and physically. It’s normal for teens to have ups and downs as they grow. But sometimes, what looks like a typical mood shift might actually be a moment when extra support could help them thrive. Knowing how to spot red flags in teenage behavior—or what we might reframe as early signals for support—can help parents step in with care before small struggles grow bigger.
Understanding Teen Behavior Patterns
About half of all teens face mental health challenges by age 18. This is often just part of growing up and building emotional strength.
Unlike adults, teens may show emotional struggles through changes in:
- How they act
- How they do in school
- How they connect with friends
Mental health experts at SummitStone point out that teens are still learning how to talk about feelings. Sometimes their behavior tells us more than their words when they’re dealing with problems we treat.
When looking at teen behavior, think about:
- How strong are the changes?
- How long have they lasted? (More than two weeks?)
- Where do they happen? (At home, school, and with friends?)
If changes are strong, last a while, and show up in different places, your teen might benefit from extra support.
Signs Your Teen Might Need Help
1. School Problems
What you might see: Falling grades, less interest in subjects they used to like, or not wanting to go to school.
The opportunity: This is a chance to find out what’s affecting their focus or motivation. It could be learning issues or feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or depression.
2. Friend Changes
What you might see: Pulling away from friends and family or suddenly changing friend groups.
The opportunity: Changing friends can be normal, but if your teen becomes very isolated, they might be dealing with depression or social anxiety.
3. Sleep or Eating Changes
What you might see: Sleeping much more or less than usual, or big changes in eating habits.
The opportunity: These physical changes often show how they’re feeling emotionally and can be good starting points for supportive talks.
4. Anger or Strong Feelings
What you might see: Getting angry often or having emotional reactions that seem too big for the situation.
The opportunity: Strong emotions often signal important needs that aren’t being met. Meeting these needs can help teens grow emotionally.
5. Taking Risks
What you might see: Using substances, acting recklessly, or doing things that aren’t safe.
The opportunity: These behaviors often show teens trying to cope with hard feelings. This points to areas where they can learn healthier ways to cope.
6. Worry or Perfectionism
What you might see: Too much worry about mistakes, strict routines, or trouble handling change.
The opportunity: Spotting high-functioning anxiety, even in teens who do well in school, helps them develop more balanced views and healthier approaches to success.
7. Feeling Hopeless
What you might see: Comments like “What’s the point?” or saying they feel worthless.
The opportunity: Always take these comments seriously. They may show your teen is in emotional pain that can be helped with the right support.
How to Support Your Teen
Notice Patterns with Care
Watch changes over time with curiosity, not alarm. Focus on what you see, not why you think it’s happening. This information can help health professionals if you decide to get extra support.
Make Space for Open Talks
Teens share more when they don’t feel judged. Try saying, “I’ve noticed you seem to have a lot on your mind lately. I’m here to listen whenever you want to talk.” Building trust takes time—being there consistently matters more than saying the perfect thing.
Focus on Strengths
Even during hard times, point out what your teen does well. Research shows that noticing strengths helps build more of them. You might say, “I notice how you keep trying even when things get hard” or “I see how much you care about your friends.”
Get Help Together
Asking for help shows strength, not weakness. SummitStone offers many services that can help your teen, including:
- Same-day mental health help
- One-on-one, group, and family therapy
- Peer support from people who understand
- Medication help when needed
Growing Stronger Together
Remember that not all teen behavior changes mean there’s a problem—many are just normal growth. But when patterns last a long time and affect many parts of life, extra support can make a big difference.
SummitStone is here to help your family with care, skill, and quick access to services. We believe in the strength of young people and their ability to bounce back when they have the right support.
Connect with SummitStone today for same-day support for your teen’s wellbeing.
Sources
- Colorado Health Institute. (2023). Colorado Health Access Survey: Youth Mental Health
- Forward Together Colorado. (2024). Navigating Mental Health Challenges with Your Child
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Mental Illness
- Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. (2023). Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Explore Other Mental Health Resources from Summitstone: