In a new episode of the Dads Save America podcast, Dr. Drew talked about how important it is for parents to know the difference between “parenting problems” and “mental health” problems.
“If a kid stays out too late it’s a parenting problem or if they talk back to you that’s a parenting problem,” the 64-year-old addiction medicine specialist said.
But if you start finding drugs in their backpack or notice their sleeping habits have changed drastically or they’re hanging out with an entirely new group of friends, that might be a sign of a mental health problem.
If you detect behaviors that you’re worried about that are problematic … whatever you have access to, trust me, that is just the tip of the iceberg. They always hide it. No kid is 15 and totally forthcoming. It just isn’t the way we’re constructed. If you’re seeing stuff that feels like a mood disorder — changes in their clothing, changes in their fingernail color, changes in the kids they’re hanging out with, the sleep-wake cycles are off — this is a mental health issue.
Dr. Drew says once you’ve detected a mental health problem, then it’s time to contact a doctor. Though, he notes some people are skeptical if “treatment really works” because sometimes kids don’t actively participate.
That’s really the challenging part of all of this, but boy if you have a kid that’s participating in any kind of mental health service, just count your blessings. It will get better.
Basically, it’s better to try than to not try at all. Another solid point is that you shouldn’t fight these “mental health” problem signs with typical parenting techniques, like grounding them or taking away their electronics. It could just make the situation worse.
Phew. Parenting. It’s tough work, huh?
