Blog - Family Resources & Help - Polaris Teen Center

When to Choose Residential Treatment Over Other Treatment Programs

April 16, 2019April 17, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

What is A Residential Treatment Center? Residential treatment centers, sometimes called rehabs, provide treatment for a wide-range of issues, including mental disorders, behavioral issues, and substance abuse and addiction problems. Residential treatment centers are clinically focused, intensive, live-in facilities where…

Does Insurance Cover Residential Treatment?

April 5, 2019April 5, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Resources, Treatment

How Much Does Residential Treatment Cost? Cost of Residential Treatment The cost of residential treatment varies between each Residential Treatment Center (RTC). The spectrum of cost may range anywhere from free (this is very uncommon) to tens of thousands of…

3% of Teens Identify as Transgender or Gender Nonconforming in America

March 27, 2019March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Resources, Transgender, Treatment

How Many Transgender Teens Are There? Approximately 150,000 American teens (ages 13 to 17) identify as transgender in the United States today. Of course there is no general age in which people typically “discover” or “come out” as transgender. Nonetheless,…

How To Treat Teen Depression (A Guide for Parents)

March 22, 2019April 3, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Depression, Resources, Treatment

It is very common for young people to experience occasional moodiness or periods of sadness. Yet with depression rates on the rise amongst adolescents and teenagers (approximately 12.5% of youth today have experience at least one major depressive episode), it is…

Distinguishing Between Signs of Depression or “Moodiness” in Teens

February 27, 2019March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Depression, Parenting Tips, Resources

Parents often wonder how to distinguish normal teenage mood swings and rebellions from actual symptoms of depression. Fortunately, there are several ways to tell. As many as 1 in 5 teenagers will experience depression at some point during adolescence. Unfortunately,…

Social Anxiety in Teens: Signs, Symptoms, and How to Help

February 27, 2019March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Anxiety, Parenting Tips, Resources, Treatment

What is Social Anxiety? Social anxiety disorder (SAD) affects 1 out of 3 adolescents between 13 and 18 years old. Over 19 million people across America suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD) today. It is the most common anxiety disorder and…

Prevention of Teen Depression: Parent, Friend, and Support Tips

February 15, 2019March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Depression, Parenting Tips, Resources, Treatment

At any given time, one out of every five teenagers is experiencing major depression. If you are a parent to an adolescent or teenager, you are likely familiar with the moodiness inherent to this age group. Mood swings are common, as…

How to Talk to Your Teen About Depression

February 8, 2019March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Depression, Parenting Tips, Resources

Talking to your teen about depression can be a difficult and intimidating task. The adolescent and teenage years are some of the most difficult, due to the immense amount of changes going on in both the brain and the body. …

Managing Expectations With Your Adolescent

January 21, 2019March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Depression, Parenting Tips, Resources

As a parent of an adolescent, your attitudes, actions, and beliefs can have a tremendous impact on your child’s well-being. Your teen is experiencing the challenging process of transitioning from childhood to adulthood and, as someone who has gone through…

How to Know If Your Child Is Transgender

December 28, 2018March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Parenting Tips, Resources, Transgender

There is no simple test to tell if a child is transgender. Experts often refer to the idea of insistence, consistency, and persistence in terms of gauging whether a child is just going through a phase or not. This means…

What is A Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility?

December 28, 2018March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Parenting Tips, Resources, Treatment

A psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) provides out-of-home psychiatric care to children, adolescents, and young adults in a non-hospital, highly structured setting. PRTF’s serve clients whose mental health needs require more intensive treatment than can be provided in a community…

What Causes Eating Disorders in Teenagers?

December 28, 2018March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Eating Disorders, Resources

Identifying the Risk Factors: Causes, Signs & Symptoms of Teen Eating Disorders Eating disorders are complex and affect all different kinds of people. Although, adolescents and teenagers are more at risk. There is no one identified cause of teen eating…

What Causes Mental Illness in Adolescence

November 15, 2018March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Mental Health, Resources, Treatment

Although it is often assumed that young people are more carefree than adults, their lives are full of emotional ups and downs. This is hugely evident in the statistics regarding adolescent and teen mental health, with as many as one…

What Causes Thoughts of Self-Harm in Teens

October 16, 2018March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Parenting Tips, Resources, Self Harm

What Is Self-Harm? Self-harm (sometimes called self-injury or self-mutilation) is the act of intentionally harming oneself in a physical manner. Self-harm is an expression of personal distress and often a coping mechanism. Self-harm is not a mental illness itself (but…

What to Pack for Residential Treatment

September 27, 2018March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Mental Health, Resources, Treatment

Entering residential treatment can be a difficult, confusing, and stressful time for both the parents and the adolescent or teenager going to treatment. Before physically entering a residential treatment program, patients will learn what to expect from their stay in…

Can Anxiety Cause Depression in Teens?

September 10, 2018March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Anxiety, Parenting Tips, Resources

When a person suffers from two or more mental health conditions, they are referred to as “comorbid” or co-occurring disorders. Anxiety and depression are the two diagnoses most closely related, and for adolescents and teenagers, the two mental health disorders…

Teens and Mental Health: Common Problems, Issues, Disorders and What You Can Do To Help

September 10, 2018March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Mental Health, Resources, Treatment

Mental illness is hugely common in adolescents and teenagers. In fact, approximately one in five young people meet criteria for at least one mental illness. Mental health issues can affect all areas of a teen’s life, from school performance to…

Treatment for Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Adolescence

September 7, 2018April 30, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Mental Health, Parenting Tips, Resources

Oppositional defiant disorder in teens (ODD) is one of the more common mental health disorders and falls under the umbrella of disruptive behavior disorders. Adolescents with oppositional defiant disorder demonstrate disobedient, defiant and/or hostile behavior, often when interacting with authority…

When to Seek Residential Treatment for Your Teen

September 5, 2018March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Mental Health, Parenting Tips, Resources, Treatment

Residential treatment centers provide individualized mental and behavioral health care for youth struggling with a variety of issues and struggles. Residential treatment often addresses the following: Trauma and abuse Depression and/or anxiety Eating disorder(s) Personality and mental disorders Low…

Important Teen Mental Health Statistics for Parents

August 23, 2018April 17, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Mental Health, Resources, Treatment

TEENAGE MENTAL HEALTH STATISTICS Mental illness is a disorder of brain function. There are many different classes and categories of mental health disorders, and those who suffer from mental illness do not do so by choice. Various factors can cause…

ADD in Teenage Girls

August 23, 2018March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

ADD, Parenting Tips, Resources

Symptoms of ADD in Teenage Girls Images of boys being impatient, loud, or climbing on things often come to mind for many when talking about attention-deficit issues in youth. Because attention-deficit disorders are frequently associated with males, girls with attention…

How Many Teens Suffer With Depression?

August 14, 2018March 27, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Depression, Parenting Tips, Resources

Why Today’s Teens Are More Depressed. Depression is a serious mental illness that can affect anyone. Depression causes ongoing sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest, and in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. Adolescents and teenagers are one of the populations most affected…

Depression and Substance Abuse: Which Comes First?

August 14, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Depression, Resources, Substance Abuse

According to popular belief, depression is one of the main causes of substance abuse and addiction in teenagers. It is thought that depressed youth tend to self-medicate with things such as drugs and alcohol, which, over time, leads them to…

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Teens

August 14, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Mental Health, OCD, Resources

The adolescent and teenage years are a challenging phase of life. During this time, it is fairly common for youth to develop certain habits and quirks in an attempt to manage the various stressors. Yet for some, these individual “quirks”…

Six Symptoms of PTSD in Teenagers

July 18, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Mental Health, PTSD, Resources

Post-traumatic stress disorder (or PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop following a traumatic event. PTSD can occur in teens who experience a traumatic event personally, are witness to a traumatic event, or in rare cases, hear about a…

Panic Attacks in Teens – A Guide for Parents

July 18, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Anxiety, Mental Health, Resources

As human beings, our bodies have a natural, built in “fight-or-flight” response when danger is sensed. The brain activates adrenaline in the body to trigger the response to either “fight” the danger or to escape (the “flight”). Although this “fight-or-flight”…

Borderline Personality Disorder in Teens: What You Need to Know

June 14, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Parenting Tips, Personality Disorder, Resources

What is Borderline Personality Disorder? Teens with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have particularly negative and distorted views of themselves, including a lack of self-worth. This contributes to feelings of inadequacy, and makes it difficult to create and maintain relationships with…

Impacts of Social Media on Teen Health

June 12, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Depression, Mental Health, Resources

Social media is a constant in life for most people, especially teenagers. According to the research, 90% of teenagers are on at least one social media site. Adolescents and teens today are the first generation to have grown up with…

10 Statistics of Teenage Eating Disorders

June 12, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Eating Disorders, Resources, Treatment

The adolescent and teenage years are a time of growth and transformation, physically, mentally and biologically. In moving towards adulthood, young people begin to discover who they are. Independent of parents, they begin to establish friendships and go through puberty.…

The Relationship between Technology and Teenage Depression

June 6, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Depression, Mental Health, Resources

Excessive use of social media, smartphones, and other technologies has had a demonstrably negative impact on the mental health of America’s teenagers. For better or for worse, many of these technologies seem to have established themselves as a permanent component…

A Guide for Parents: Supporting Transgender Teens

June 6, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Parenting Tips, Resources, Transgender

This article will attempt to answer common questions that parents may have about teen transgenderism. Though the subject of being transgender has recently gained increased attention due to various social movements and media coverage, transgenderism is something that has existed…

A Guide for Parents of Teens with Gender Dysphoria

June 6, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Gender Dysphoria, Parenting Tips, Resources

Being a parent of a teenager with gender dysphoria brings many challenges. Not only is it difficult to watch your child struggle with their identity, but it is often hard to know how to best support them. What is Gender…

Teen Self Harm – Warning Signs and Common Methods

May 30, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Depression, Resources, Self Harm

Self-harm affects millions of people in this country. Yet the population with the highest number of self-harmers is adolescents and teenagers. Sadly, the topic of self-injury continues to be a carry a stigma, and thus, is rarely talked about. This…

Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Teens

May 24, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Anxiety, Resources

Worrying from time to time is a natural part of life. Yet, if the worry feels out of control, unmanageable, or negatively impacts your overall health and wellness, it is likely you are experiencing a more significant anxiety disorder. Anxiety…

LGBTQ Youth and Mental Health

May 1, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

LGBTQ, Mental Health, Resources

LGBTQ Youth Today, adolescents are coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) at higher rates than ever before, and at younger ages. With this trend, public awareness and therapeutic services for LGBTQ individuals have significantly increased. Nonetheless,…

Parenting Guide – Teens and Bipolar

April 10, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Bipolar Disorder, Parenting Tips, Resources

What is Bipolar? Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by dramatic or abnormal mood changes (or swings). The estimated number of teenagers with bipolar disorder is currently 2-3%. The mood changes typically fluctuate between major depression and extreme elation, or mania. The…

How to Help a Teen With Depression

March 14, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Depression, Parenting Tips, Resources, Treatment

Depression is a very real condition and it is something that is uniquely likely to have an impact on teenagers. If you are a parent who believes that your teenager may be suffering from depression, it is important to get…

Discussing the Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic

February 5, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Mental Health, Resources, Substance Abuse

When most people hear the term “drug abuse”, they immediately think of substances that can be bought on the street. Most of our educational and national dialogue efforts are focused on these drugs, and these are the drugs you hear…

Effectively Treating Eating Disorders in Teens

January 9, 2018March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Eating Disorders, Resources, Treatment

According to some recent studies, as many as 20 million American women and 10 million American men have suffered from some sort of clinically diagnosable eating disorder in their lifetime. Though many of these individuals have recovered, the fact…

Teen Depression Guide: Symptoms, Signs & Causes

November 15, 2017March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Depression, Mental Health, Resources

No matter who you might be, the teenage years are inevitably a difficult time. You are constantly feeling the pressures of the outside world demanding you to form an identity, figure out your life, and conform to your surroundings while…

Your Guide to Understanding Teen Rehabilitation

November 15, 2017April 8, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Parenting Tips, Resources, Treatment

The topic of residential treatment is something few parents talk about with any sense of enthusiasm. But when teens are struggling with various psychological conditions, residential treatment programs can be the most valuable experience for long-term healing. If you are…

Warning Signs of Bulimia in Teens

November 15, 2017March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Eating Disorders, Parenting Tips, Resources

Statistically, the teenage years are the time in people’s lives that they are most likely to suffer from an eating disorder. These years are characterized by a tremendous amount of change. As teenagers struggle to establish their sense of self…

Eating Disorder Recovery Tips

November 10, 2017April 8, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Eating Disorders, Parenting Tips, Resources

Eating disorders are amongst the most common forms of teenage mental health disorders. The constant stress of establishing one’s identity, the external pressures to satisfy an impossible beauty standard, and the hormonal changes associated with puberty are all possible factors…

Transgender Identity Affirmation and Mental Health

September 29, 2017March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Mental Health, Resources, Transgender

The Relationship Between Transgender Identity Affirmation & Mental Health Whether we are willing to admit it as parents or not, gender and sex can both be very complicated subjects. Both gender and sex can complicate the life of a teenager,…

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Teens

September 29, 2017March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Bipolar Disorder, Resources

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder in teens? Bipolar disorder is a condition that can impact both the individual who is diagnosed and their families. In fact, as many as 3% of all Americans will experience symptoms of bipolar…

Why Surgery Can Be the Gateway to Teen Opioid Addiction

September 20, 2017March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Resources, Substance Abuse

Naturally, getting any sort of surgery is a complicated process that carries with it a unique risk of further complications. But one common complication that is often overlooked by many individuals in the medical field doesn’t come from the actual…

The Risky Combination of Mental Health Conditions and Substance Abuse

September 20, 2017March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Mental Health, Resources, Substance Abuse

There is no denying the fact that mental health conditions are present in a significant number of American teenagers. But while some teenagers are able to find healthy ways to cope with their condition—whether it is with counseling, meditation,…

What is Evidence-Based Treatment and Why Does It Work for Teens?

September 11, 2017March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Mental Health, Resources, Treatment

Psychology is a field of study that is constantly changing. Over the past century, the relentless research efforts of psychologists around the world have transformed the discipline from one that was once largely based on subjective analytics to one…

Building a Community Around Mental Health – Finding a Support System for Your Teen

September 8, 2017March 28, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Mental Health, Parenting Tips, Resources

For anyone, having access to a community of supportive people and environments are crucial aspects of healthy living. This is especially true when it comes to teenagers. This is because adolescence is a crucial time in development in terms daily…

What Does Teenage Depression Feel Like?

September 7, 2017April 8, 2019

Polaris Teen Center

Depression, Resources

Today, more and more teenagers are suffering from depression. It is estimated that, at any time, between 10-15% of teens encounter some level of depression. Many parents have teens that struggle with depression, and if you are one of them,…