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Parenting Young Adults Assessments
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Stress
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| Does my teenager have symptoms of stress? |
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Teenagers face stress for different reasons than adults. Teens may be stressed about things at home, like blended family issues, divorced parents, siblings, an alcoholic parent, an abusive home, or pressures from home. Teens also experience stress from school, like pressure from teachers, parents, or friends to to do well or peer pressure. Other teen stress factors may be worry about how to pay for college, how to afford to live on their own, or whether or not they can get a job after college. Whatever the reason, teen stress is real; in fact, many teens are under more stress than at any other stage of life. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the symptoms of teenage stress and help you determine whether or not your teen might be stressed out.
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Depression
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| Does my teenager have symptoms of depression? |
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Early symptoms of adolescent depression can be difficult to diagnose because they appear to be so normal for teenagers. Teenage depression isn't just bad moods and occasional melancholy. Depression limits a teenager's ability to function normally. Depression symptoms in teenagers may include a persistent sad mood, irritability, feelings of hopelessness, or the inability to be happy for a period of weeks, months, or even years. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the symptoms of teenage depression and help you determine whether or not your teen might suffer from depression.
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Suicide
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| Is my teenager a suicide risk? |
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Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5 to 14 year olds. Teenagers feel tremendous stress, pressure, confusion, fear, and self-doubt, perhaps more than at any other stage of life. For some teens, suicide may appear to be the only solution to their problems. Some typical teenage behaviors (spending a lot of time in their room, moody, loses interest in hobbies or sports) are also warning signs of depression. And depression, if undetected or untreated, may lead to suicide. It is critical that parents take seriously any comment about suicide from a child or teenager (get a professional evaluation immediately, and begin talking with your child about their feelings). Take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs of teenage suicide and help you determine whether or not your teenager may be a suicide risk.
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Alcohol Hangover
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| Does my teenager have a hangover from using alcohol? |
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Your teenager seems tired and sick a lot on the weekends. You're beginning to wonder if they're drinking the night before, but they tell you it's just from staying up too late. Frequent hangovers are a sign of alcohol abuse or alcoholism. (See our Teen Binge Drinking Assessment, our Teen Alcohol Abuse Assessment, or our Teen Alcoholism Assessment to learn more about teenagers and alcohol.) A teenager's brain is still developing rapidly, making them more susceptible to alcoholism than adults. It is important to identify teenage drinkers as early as possible and begin treatment so they will not have to struggle with alcohol problems their entire life. Take this quick assessment to learn the warning signs of an alcohol hangover and help you determine if your teenager may be drinking.
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Binge Drinking
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| Is my teenager a binge drinker? |
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Binge drinking is defined as having 4 (for women) or 5 (for men) drinks at one occasion. Drinking so much in such a short time creates a high concentration of alcohol in the body. When the blood-alcohol level becomes dangerously high it leads to alcohol poisoning, one of the most dangerous consequences of binge drinking. Alcohol poisoning can lead to brain damage or even death. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs of teenage binge drinking and alcohol poisoning and help you determine whether or not your teenager may have a problem with binge drinking and/or alcohol poisoning.
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Alcohol Abuse
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| Is my teenager using alcohol? |
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Teenagers will abuse alcohol for many different reasons, but they all tend to exhibit many similar warning signs. It is important to identify teenager alocohol abusers early since alcohol abuse by teens quickly turns to binge drinking or alcoholism. (If your teen has many alcohol abuse warning signs, see our Teen Binge Drinking Assessment and Teen Alcoholism Assessment.) Take this quick assessment to learn the warning signs of teen alcohol abuse and help you distinguish between normal teen behavior and a possible problem with alcohol abuse.
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Alcoholism
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| Is my teenager addicted to alcohol? |
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Alcoholism is different than alcohol abuse. Drinking occasionally and the ability to contol drinking may indicate alcohol abuse but not alcoholism. Alcohol abuse turns to alcoholism when a person drinks so much that physical and mental functions are impaired and the person needs more and more alcohol to get the same effect. As the body develops a physical dependence to the alcohol the person will experience withdrawal symptoms (nausea, sweating, anxiety) when they try to stop drinking alcohol. Approximately 40% of teens who start drinking before age 15 will develop alcoholism at some point in their lives. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs of teenage alcoholism and help you determine whether or not your child may have a problem with alcoholism.
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Drug Abuse
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| Is my teenager using drugs? |
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Some typical teenage behaviors (spending a lot of time in their room, moody, loses interest in hobbies or sports) are also warning signs of drug abuse. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs of teenage drug abuse and help you determine whether or not your child may have a drug abuse problem.
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Steroid Abuse
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| Is my teenager using steroids? |
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Anabolic steroids (also known as roids, juice, hype, or pump) are man-made substances used to build muscle. They are legally available only by prescription and would be prescribed for low testerone production or loss of lean muscle mass. People are abusing steroids to enhance performance, especially for sports, and to improve physique and appearance. Recent headlines about steroid abuse have focused on professional and Olympic athletes. But the most vulnerable abusers are probably our high school teens, trying to achieve the 'look' of their favorite athlete or actor. Americans are obsessed with body image, which leads teens to eating disorders, steroid abuse, and a lifelong struggle with low self-esteem. The side effects are numerous, including acne, depression, aggressive behavior ('roid rage'), stunted growth, liver damage or cancer, cardiovascular damage, and reproductive system damage. Boys who abuse steroids may also experience baldness, shrinking testicles, impotence, and irreversible breast enlargement. Girls abusing steroids is a growing problem. Female abusers develop more masculine characteristics including decreased breast size, deepened voice, excessive body hair growth, and loss of scalp hair. Anabolic steroids may be taken orally or injected, usually in on/off cycles of week or months. Steroids are easily found on the internet and, unfortunately, in some gyms. Your kids may get them from friends or even an obsessive coach. As if the dangers of anabolic steroid use are not enough, the danger is increased when many substances sold as anabolic steroids are contaminated, diluted, or simply fake. Answer these few questions to learn more about the signs of steroid abuse and help you determine if your teenager may be using steroids.
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Anorexia
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| How can I tell if I, my child, or someone I know might have anorexia? |
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Messages are all around us of the benefits of a healthy diet and regular exercise. Advice on how to do that is also readily available. However, an obsession with losing weight and exercising can lead to anorexia. The emotional and physical consequences are serious. A person with anorexia does not realize the dangers (including hair loss, fatigue and weakness, dehydration, weakened immune system, heart trouble, even death) of denying food to their body. It's also important to know that about 50% of people with anorexia also develop bulimia. (See our Bulimia Assessment for help if you think you or a loved one may have bulimia.) Answer these few questions to learn more about the signs of anorexia and help you determine if your child or someone you know may have anorexia.
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Bulimia
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| How can I tell if my child or someone I know might have bulimia? |
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Purging seems like an easy way to control weight. 'Eat anything you want, as much as you want, and never gain an ounce! Just get rid of the calories consumed.' Unfortunately, more than just calories are expelled during purging. The loss of potassium and other necessary minerals from purging can lead to dehyration, bowel problems, fatigue, ulcers, heart problems and even death. Purging (by self-induced vomiting, or using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas) begins as a way to control weight but becomes an uncontrollable habit. Bulimia suffers are very secretive and some of the symptoms are very subtle. Unlike anorexia sufferers, people with bulimia are more often normal weight or even overweight because they eat so much. It is important to know that 80% of bulimia patients are female and about 50% of people with anorexia also develop bulimia. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the signs of bulimia and help you determine if your child or someone you know may need professional help.
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Binge Eating
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| How can I tell if I or my child might be a binge eater? |
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Binge eating is a newly recognized eating disorder in which the sufferer has frequent episodes of compulsive overeating. Unlike anorexia and bulimia, binge eating disorder occurs almost as often in men as in women. Binge eating disorder can cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatigue, joint pain, Type II diabetes, gallbladder disease, and heart disease. Do you think you may be or know a binge eater? Take this quick assessment to learn more about the symptoms of binge eating and help you determine whether you or your child might be a binge eater.
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Eating Disorder
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| How can I tell if my child or someone I know might have an eating disorder? |
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An unhealthy relationship with food can lead to eating disorders, which have serious emotional and physical effects. Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating are fairly well-known eating disorders, but some eating disorders don't fit into one of those categories. Some people severely restrict food intake without developing other symptoms of anorexia, some binge and purge on an irregular basis so it doesn't fit the symptoms of bulimia, and others may chew food then spit it out without swallowing. This assessment can help if your child or someone you know has suspicious eating behaviors, but they don't seem to have anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating or you're not sure which it may be. Answer these questions to learn more about the symptoms of eating disorders in general and help you determine whether your child or someone you know might suffer from an eating disorder.
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Eating Disorder Contributor
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| Am I contributing to my child's risk of developing an eating disorder? |
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As a parent, you may be contributing to your child's risk of developing an eating disorder. Answer these few questions to learn more about how parents may unknowingly contribute to a child's eating disorder and help you evaluate if you may need to modify some of your behaviors.
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Healthy Body Image
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| Do I have a healthy view of my body? |
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Girls as young as 9 years old report some dissatisfaction with their bodies and their body image tends to grow steadily worse as they get older. Girls tend to struggle with body image far more than boys. Most body image feelings will stay with a girl into womanhood. A girl's body image is influenced by peers, media, coaches, parents, siblings, or other family members. Parents influence their daughter's self-image when they comment on their own or someone else's body shape or size. This quick assessment can help you understand what it takes to have a healthy body image.
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Cell Phone Addict
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| Is my teenager addicted to a cell phone? |
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Addiction is evident when an obsession with something disrupts the more important things in life, like personal relationships, schooling, or jobs. People can become addicted to pretty much anything, and teens are especially vulnerable to addictions, whether behavior or substance addictions. Teenagers who are shy and have low self-esteem are more likely to become cellular addicts because, with text messaging, you can make 'texting friends' that you never actually have to meet, very much like internet chatting. The cell phone has been dubbed 'the new cigarette' and 'one of the biggest non-drug addictions of the 21st century.' Mobile phones are a status symbol for teenagers, where the person who gets the most messages is the most popular. The good news is that as teen cell phone use has increased, teen smoking has decreased. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs of mobile phone addiction and help you determine whether or not your teenager may be a cell phone addict.
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Internet Addict
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| Is my teenager addicted to the internet? |
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Addiction is evident when an obsession with something disrupts the more important things in life, like personal relationships, schooling, or jobs. People can become addicted to pretty much anything, and teens are especially vulnerable to addictions, whether behavior or substance addictions. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs of internet addiction and help you determine whether or not your teenager may be addicted to the internet.
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Tanning Addict
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| Am I addicted to tanning? |
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Love that 'healthy' glow that a tan gives you? Research proves that there is nothing healthy about that tan that looks so good. A recent study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of the World Health Organization (WHO), leaves no doubt about the dangers of tanning. People who first use sunbeds in their teens or twenties increase their risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer by an astounding 75 percent! The study also shows youth who tan also increase their risk of squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common skin cancer. Other health problems associated with tanning include a decrease in the skin's immune response, an increase in eye cataracts and cancers, and the premature aging of the skin. Skin aging caused by sun exposure or tanning beds can be seen in tanners in their 20's, including wrinkles and age spots (dark patches of skin). According to Peter Boyle, MD, Director of the IARC, the study found no positive health effects from sunbed tanning, contradicting what the $5 billion tanning salon industry has used as its main selling point. Dr. Boyle recommends, and some communities are taking action, restricting access to tanning salons by minors and young adults. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs of tanning addiction and help you determine if you or someone you care about may be a tanning addict.
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Stalking
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| I'm nervous about the way this person acts, am I being stalked? |
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Stalking is a form of harassment where a victim fears for their safety because someone haunts them physically or emotionally. Stalking is repetitive and devious in nature and the victim usually feels threatened. Stalking can take place in person, by phone, or online (see our Cyberstalking Assessment for more specific signs). The victim may never see the stalker or they may seem to be present almost everywhere the victim goes. Stalking is unpredictable and should always be considered dangerous. If you are concerned that someone may be stalking you, take this quick assessment to learn more about the signs of stalking and help you determine if you may be a victim of stalking.
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CyberStalking
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| I'm uncomfortable about the internet communications from someone, am I being cyberstalked? |
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Cyberstalkers use internet, email, instant messaging, or text messaging to stalk another person. Cyberstalking is serious even if there is no physical stalking. Laws regarding cyberstalking are usually weak, so you must take precautions to protect yourself. The best way to protect against cyberstalking is to ignore any communications from the stalker. Cyberstalking sometimes advances to physical stalking and violence, so be extra cautious to protect your identity while online. If you are concerned about a potential cyberstalker, take this quick assessment to learn more about the signs of cyberstalking and help you determine if you may be a victim.
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Gang Involvement
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| Is my teenager involved with a gang? |
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A gang is a group of teens and young adults that hang out together and initiate violent, illegal, or criminal activity. They usually have a name and/or symbol. They often choose to wear a certain style or color of clothing. Many people think of gangs as just an inner-city problem. That is clearly not the case any more, with more than 24,500 different youth gangs around the country, counting more than 772,500 teens and young adults as members. In the 1970’s, gangs were active in less than half the states, but now every state reports youth gang activity, including smaller cities, towns, and rural areas. Youth gangs are responsible for much of the serious violence in the United States and pose one of the greatest threats to the safety and security of average Americans. Teen gang members are much more likely to commit serious and violent crimes than other teens. A survey in Denver found that while only 14% of teens were gang members, they were responsible for committing 89% of the serious violent crimes. Teens join gangs for a number of reasons (excitement, money, prestige, protection, or acceptance) but joining a gang is dangerous. Violence between gangs is common, and gang members are at least 60 times more likely to be killed than the rest of the population. Few teens are forced to join gangs; teens can usually refuse to join without fear of retaliation. For most teens, gang membership is a brief phase. One-half to two-thirds of teen gang members leave the gang by the end of their first year. You can help slow the spread of gang violence by learning what a gang is, what the signs of gang involvement and gang activity are. If you are concerned that your teenager may be involved with a gang, take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs and help you determine if your child may truly be getting into gang activity.
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Daughter's Abusive Relationship
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| Is my daughter in an abusive relationship? |
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Teenage abusive relationships are on the rise. Many teenager girls are finding themselves in relationships that are controlling, manipulative, or even physicially abusive. And some research shows that as many as 98% of these teenage girls continue to date their abuser. If you are concerned about your daughter's relationship, take this short assessment to learn more about the signs of an abusive relationship and help you determine if your daughter's relationship may be abusive.
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College Readiness
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| Is my teen or young adult ready for college? |
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Is your teenager or young adult ready for college? What skills are necessary to make the college experience more enjoyable and more successful? Take this quick assessment to learn the skills your young adult will need to easily make the transition to college.
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Helicopter Parent
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| Am I a 'helicopter' parent, hovering too much and not letting my young adult child grow up? |
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Helicopter parents hover, helping their young adult children too much. They may clean up after them still, help them with their school work, decide their major and help them with their class schedule. They will intervene to solve minor problems with roommates or professors. More and more colleges report that helicopter parents are making their presence felt on campus. Some even show up for college job fairs to help their child interview! Hovering parents have negative effects on themselves, their child, and the schools. Helicopter parents suffer more anxiety and less satisfaction with life. Children of these overly involved parents are arriving at colleges without basic social skills and the knowledge they need to solve their own problems. Colleges have to spend money on the resources required to deal with the phone calls and emails, contributing to increased tuition costs. Answer the questions in this quick assessment to see if you might be a helicopter parent, so you can begin to allow your young adult to become independent and assume the responsibilities that will lead to successful adulthood. Remember, the mistakes your children make along the way are some of the most valuable lessons they will ever learn.
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Student Credit Card Debt
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| Are my financial habits jeopardizing my college career and my future? |
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College students in credit card debt and declaring bankruptcy is a growing problem. In fact, college students are among the fastest growing group of bankruptcy filers. The average student graduates with between $3,000 and $4,000 in credit card debt, and many owe much more! Endless credit card offers seems to begin the day they turn 18 and many college students are managing their money completely on their own for the first time. Careful with those credit cards! Students with high credit card debt are more likely to work longer hours and have lower grades. And running up credit card debt and not making payments on time can impact your life for many years to come. Negative credit items stay on your report for 7 years. This negative credit can limit or prevent you from renting an apartment, buying a home or car, completing your education, and even finding a job, since many employers now review credit reports before hiring. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs of students headed for credit card trouble and help you determine if you should change your spending habits.
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Early Pregnancy
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| Could I be pregnant? |
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Wondering if you're pregnant? The symptoms of pregnancy are not the same for every woman. In fact, your own symptoms may be different from one pregnancy to another. Pregnancy symptoms can also vary in their intensity, frequency and duration. Many of the earliest pregnancy symptoms are very similar to routine pre-menstrual discomforts. The symptoms in this assessment are in no particular order, but answer these few questions to learn more about what to expect very early during pregnancy and help you determine if you may be pregnant.
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