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Take Control of your Teenager | No Thanks |
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| Troubled teens dealing with feelings of shame from mental disorders |
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Once your troubled teen has been diagnosed with a mental disorder, he/she may have difficulties coming to terms with the label that he/she may feel is placed on him/her because of it. Your teenager may feel ashamed of his/her diagnosis. High school is definitely a time which is known for its labels. Teens stick labels on one another according to a variety of different things, sicknesses included. The first step toward wellness is recognition He/she should be aware that the first step toward wellness is the recognition that something is wrong in the first place. Keep reminding your teen that feelings of shame may be normal but continually feeling ashamed of him/herself because of his/her sickness is not right. People go through physical sicknesses in life because it is a part of our existence, and mental sicknesses should not be given additional stigma. As long as your teen is aware of his/her disorder and is willing to work towards wellness, he/she should not be ashamed. One can actually view achieving wellness from a mental disorder as a mountain to climb and conquer. Once you have reached the top, the cuts, bruises, or scratches that you may have acquired along the way are not marks to be ashamed of. In fact, one may even take pride in them. Once your troubled teen has overcome a mental disorder, he/she need not be ashamed of the past if it is brought up for several reasons in the future, but be focused on the wellness that he/she has achieved. Tumbling and falling, does make standing on one’s own two feet even more beautiful an achievement. The beauty of acceptance Your teenager should be aware that trying to hide one’s past is a difficult task to take on. Hiding one’s past sickness can indeed grow tiring and weary on one’s spirit. The calming release that being true to one’s self can offer your teen once he/she accepts his/her condition is beautiful. It will take work to get to this stage of wellness, but the journey there is the crowning glory of a troubled teenager who is struggling with any sort of mental disorder. Initial feelings of shame may be a part of the process but these feelings are not meant to stay within one forever. They may be acknowledged and let go to pass in order for one to make room for the beauty of acceptance. |
