What are the Signs of a Troubled Teenager?

Check Each Symptom Your Teenager Now Exhibits (then see the total at the bottom):

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  Overall Behavioral Changes: Your teen shows drastic changes—disrupted sleep, declining grades, loss of motivation, mood swings, or shifting interests—accompanied by sadness, anxiety, blame, irregular eating, late nights, or even binging and purging (always visits the restroom immediately after eating).
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  Emotionally Detached or Uncaring: Your teen has begun showing indifference, defiance, or hostility toward family; rejecting affection or guidance; an unexplained departure from activities that were once positive (reading, clubs, sports, youth group).
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  Open Defiance & Boundary Pushing: Your teen is challenging rules, boundaries, and family values; there are daily power struggles (well beyond typical teenage struggles for independence); missing established curfews; troubles at school (slipping grades, unexplained absences, fights).
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  Self-Destructive or Dangerous Behavior: Your teen talks of self-harm, harming others, or running away; cutting; dangerous substance use; reckless choices without regard for safety, including promiscuity; loss of care for preparing for their future — grades are slipping.
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  Extreme Disrespect: Your teen has begun showing verbal (and possibly physical) aggression; harming property or pets; stealing from family or elsewhere; lying and deceit; escalating disrespect or anger that disrupts peace at home; exhibits hatred for family, teachers, or authorities.
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  Entitlement & Self-Centeredness: Your teen expects constant parental focus on their needs, lashing out when denied, disregarding the family’s time and resources, and displaying an ‘all about me’ mindset that strains the household.
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  Failed Attempts at Intervention: Counseling, consequences, and boundaries haven’t helped. Things are getting worse, not better; short-term behavioral health programs worked for a time, but no more.
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  Distancing from the Family: Your child has withdrawn from the family — refusing to participate in family meals and activities, always fighting with parents or siblings, and isolates during important moments; family in constant turmoil and tension, as if every word or action might set off conflict with the child.
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  Negative Peer Influence: Your teen has replaced positive friendships with a new crowd that carries negative influences and risky behaviors. They mimic the group’s attitudes, language, and style, show signs of possible substance abuse, and push to spend nearly all their time with them, leaving family and healthy peers behind.

If your teen exhibits 5 or more of these signs, a therapeutic boarding school may be worth serious consideration—address issues while you still legally can.