3 Myths Associated With Teen Suicide

From teaching manners and implementing rules to providing them with proper education and a healthy, happy home, it is easy to see the challenges of being a parent. While most teenagers will experience mood swings at times, some parents may need to deal with thoughts, attempts, and actual suicides due to a teen's mental health disorder. Thankfully, proper understanding of the signs and symptoms of potential suicide can help you protect your teenager. By understanding the truth behind these common myths associated with teen suicide, you will have the knowledge and tools needed to help your child.

Depression Causes All Suicides

Teenagers with a mental health disorder, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and insomnia, may have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts, but these disorders do not cause them to have thoughts or make attempts to take their own life. In fact, most teenagers are able to treat their disorder in effective manners.

Both prescription medications and therapy have enormous benefits for teenagers living with depression and other mental health disorders, but you must learn the signs to ensure they receive an efficient diagnosis. Here are a few common signs of depression and other conditions that could affect your teen's emotional wellness:

• Severe changes in mood
• Behavior changes
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Inability to concentrate
• Inability to sleep OR sleeping excessively
• No longer participating in sports/hobbies/interests
• Substance abuse

Discussing Suicide Will Make Teens More Susceptible

One of the most common misconceptions is that talking about suicide with your teen will give them the idea to take their own life. Fortunately, this is not true, since opening up this communication is important for allowing your teen to ask questions and share their feelings.

Whether talking with you, another trusted individual, or a licensed therapist, teens who are able to communicate their feelings will be less likely to act on their thoughts.

Teens Who Talk About Suicide Are Only Seeking Attention

Most teenagers prefer to hide their feelings, choosing to note share their secrets and emotions with friends or family. Unfortunately, some people believe these comments are only threats from a teenager searching for attention, but that is not true. If your teen or another individual has made comments about wanting to die or killing themselves, please take the comment seriously.

Talks of suicide and wanting to die deserve immediate attention from professionals.

Understanding these myths associated with suicide may mean the difference between life and death for your teenager. For more information, contact companies like Park Center Inc.