“Trust your instincts,” recommend adolescent counselors at the Elk River Treatment Program. A parent's first responsibility is to keep their children safe - sometimes that means they must become an investigator, counselors advise. Not all negative behaviors define troubled teens. A certain amount of rebellion may mean your adolescent is trying new identities to see which one fits. Absence or distance may be a sign of independence, which should be the ultimate goal of a parent.

Extreme behaviors that suggest your child may need intervention include:

• Sadness, withdrawal, or severe mood changes at home and/or school. Crying spells, anger outbursts, or sudden disinterest in things they used to care about and enjoy are other warning signs.
• Behavior changes that include physical fighting, unusual interest in weapons, running away from home, or expressing a desire to hurt others are warning signs.
• School problems such as dropping grades, excessive delinquency, truancy, and other disciplinary actions are often seen.
• Physical harm, including suicidal thoughts or actions to self-harm. Watch for lacerations, especially on arms and legs.
• Substance abuse: Often, alcohol or drugs (over-the-counter, prescribed, or illegal) are used by teens and adults alike to numb their feelings or escape reality.
• Secretiveness: Red flags should go up if your child suddenly starts to keep information from you or evade questioning about what they do daily.

Elk River professionals can arm your family with the tools to address and often reverse maladaptive behaviors. For over a decade, ERTP has successfully treated troubled teens who have struggled with behavior problems, mental health challenges, learning differences, and/or substance abuse.

Call one of our admission counselors today at 866-906-TEEN (8336) or complete the confidential inquiry form on this web page.

Helping Troubled Teens Recover

Attention Deficit Disorder (​ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

There has been a long-running debate concerning Attention Deficit (ADD) or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Some argue that it is an over diagnosed condition. Others say that it is often misdiagnosed. Others are split on whether to use or halt medications in the summer months. But if your teen suffers from ADD or ADHD, you will feel its effects. These children may present with difficulty sustaining attention in class and may have problems with short-term memory function. Others will be in constant motion, unable to sit for a significant amount of time. They will talk out in class and exhibit impulsive behaviors. Most children with an ADHD diagnosis will demonstrate both inattentiveness and hyperactive-impulsive behaviors. ADHD has been shown to be a risk factor for the development of poor academic functioning, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, substance use, and a myriad of other behavioral problems.

​Abandonment and Adoption

Many adopted children have a fear of rejection resulting from the separation from their birth parents. They may lack a sense of security and place that would provide them with more self-confidence. Abandonment fears typically stem from a loss in childhood, such as the loss of a parent through death or divorce, but they can also result from inadequate physical or emotional care. Early childhood experiences result in fear of being abandoned by the significant people in one’s life. While some degree of abandonment fear may be a normal part of being human, when the fear of abandonment is severe, frequent, and impossible to comfort, it can cause significant impairment, particularly with regard to developing healthy relationships.

​Divorce and Family Issues

Adding a divorce to the existing roller coaster of emotions that a teenager is experiencing can lay the track for a series of negative behaviors. Anger is one of the most common emotions a teen will experience from divorce. They may begin to lash out at family members, friends, or teachers. Or they may start to withdraw from those same people. Often children feel partially responsible for their parent's divorce. Overcompensating at home or school is another negative effect on teens. They think their parents will get back together if they only try harder. When they realize that their efforts aren’t practical, they often become depressed and begin to self-medicate.

​Anger & Defiance

Erratic teenage behavior is an age-old concern for parents. But many parents take their teen's dark moods very seriously in the wake of violent events such as theater or club massacres or school shootings. Is this “normal” teenage behavior or a sign of a problem with depression or anger?

When a teen is experiencing out-of-control anger or rage that escalates to violence, it is a cause for concern. Anger is not the answer to life’s challenges. Sometimes it is necessary to remove a teen from his or her comfort zone – away from family and friends and the fear of being judged if they reveal what is genuinely angering or frightening them. Teens soon discover that Elk River is a safe place to work with others in group settings or individual counseling sessions to uncover the source of their negative behavior. With 24/7 supervision, ERTP’s residential setting allows professionals to get a precise diagnosis and help families begin the healing process.

​Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal part of childhood, and every child goes through phases, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. A phase is temporary and usually harmless. But children who suffer from an anxiety disorder experience fear, nervousness, and shyness and start avoiding places and activities. Anxiety disorders affect one in eight children. Research shows that untreated children with anxiety disorders are at higher risk of performing poorly in school, missing out on meaningful social experiences, and engaging in substance abuse.

​Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects a child's behavior and ability to communicate. The symptoms generally appear within the first two years. Individuals with ASD may be very bright and capable. Still, they may also have severe difficulties with social interaction or unusually low tolerance for loud noise, bright lights, crowds, etc. As indicated in its name, Autism Spectrum Disorder, the symptoms may range from mild to severe. Elk River Treatment Program has successfully treated boys and girls with mild ASD (formerly referred to as Aspergers). Generally, these clients have experienced difficulty communicating, recognizing social cues, and handling disappointments. The mental health professionals at Elk River Treatment Program can develop an individualized treatment plan to meet the needs of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

​Bipolar Disorder

One of the most misunderstood syndromes in child mental health is Bipolar Disorder. Traditionally, Bipolar Disorder or Manic-Depressive Illness is considered a mood disorder with alternating episodes of extreme euphoria/mania and dysphoria/depression. These moods cycle unpredictably and often abruptly, with no apparent cause discernible to the client’s life. Bipolar Disorder is poorly defined in children and adolescents. Often, clients with extreme examples of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder are misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder. The mental health professionals at Elk River Treatment Program can assess, evaluate and develop an individualized treatment plan for children with a Bipolar Disorder diagnosis.

​Conduct Disorder

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), conduct disorder is a group of behavioral and emotional problems in youngsters. Children and adolescents with this disorder have great difficulty following rules and behaving in a socially acceptable way. Other children, adults, and social agencies often view them as “bad” or delinquent rather than mentally ill. Many factors may contribute to a child developing conduct disorder, including brain damage, child abuse or neglect, genetic vulnerability, school failure, and traumatic life experiences.

Children or adolescents with conduct disorder may exhibit some of the following behaviors: Aggression to people and animals (bullies, physical fights, cruelty to animals); Destruction of property (fire setting, destroys property); Deceitful, lying or stealing; Serious violations of rules (ignores curfew, runs away from home, truant).

Upon admission, all Elk River Treatment Program (ERTP) clients receive a comprehensive evaluation by an experienced mental health professional. Many children with a conduct disorder may have coexisting conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, ADHD, learning problems, or thought disorders, which can also be treated at ERTP.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Oppositional Defiant Disorder is characterized by a pattern of negative, hostile, and defiant behavior lasting at least six months. ODD is an externalizing behavior problem, i.e., it affects parents and others by making them uncomfortable. Most often, the teen with ODD feels that these externalizing behaviors are normal and acceptable; everyone else is out of line. Essentially, an ODD adolescent will present with non-compliance to adult requests, disrespect of adults and peers, anger management problems, and a failure to accept responsibility for these behaviors.

​Depression

Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts that affect how a person eats and sleeps, how one feels about oneself, and how one thinks about things. The signs and symptoms of depression include loss of interest in activities; loss of appetite with weight loss or overeating with weight gain; loss of emotional expression; a persistently sad or anxious mood; feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, social withdrawal; low energy level; trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions; unusual restlessness or irritability. Alcohol or drug abuse may also be signs of depression.

​Disrespect Towards Parents, Siblings and Peers

Disrespect can range from mild to severe. Mild behaviors may include eye rolling or saying, “Whatever Mom!” when reprimanded. More serious disrespectful behaviors include things such as total disregard for rules, name-calling, and even physical violence. Sometimes even when parents address disrespectful behavior, it may worsen over time. Disrespect is frequently a partner to other negative behaviors.

Teenage ​Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Many of our clients are admitted by their parents after discoveries of drug or alcohol abuse. The staff at ERTP recognizes that substance abuse is a symptom of another problem. Treating negative behaviors is important, but uncovering the source of negative behavior is the key to recovery.

Dual Diagnosis in Teens

Dual Diagnosis is a diagnosis of an emotional disorder and a developmental delay, drug and alcohol use or a mental illness in the same person. The professional Treatment Team at Elk River Treatment Program specializes in treating the symptom and identifying and treating the source.

​Impulsiveness and Recklessness

Teenagers react more impulsively to threatening situations than children or adults, likely because their brains must work harder to rein in their behavior. Research reveals that adolescents gravitate toward risk-taking and exhilarating experiences due to an enhanced release of dopamine that starts in early adolescence. The improved natural dopamine release can give adolescents a powerful sense of being alive when engaged. It can also lead them to focus solely on the positive rewards they are sure are in store for them while failing to notice or give value to the potential risks and downsides. ERTP uses a positive peer culture and group therapy to imitate real-life situations that clients will likely experience when they return home. Every day that passes while in a safe environment allows your child’s brain to mature further – and allows for better decisions at home.

Learning Differences

Learning Differences refer to several disorders which may affect the acquisition, organization, retention, understanding, or use of verbal or nonverbal information. These disorders affect learning in individuals who otherwise demonstrate at least average abilities essential for thinking and/or reasoning. Examples are ADD or ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Low Self Esteem

Low Self Esteem is often a symptom of depression. Teens may assume blame for negative events or circumstances like their parents’ divorce. Teens with low self-esteem may feel like they are never “good enough.”

Teen Obesity

Obesity is the state of being far above one’s normal weight. A person has traditionally been considered to be obese if they are more than 20 percent over their ideal weight. That ideal weight must consider the person’s height, age, sex, and build.

Online Gaming Addiction

Online gaming addiction is an addiction to online video games, role-playing games, or any interactive gaming environment. This addiction has increased dramatically in the U.S. Gaming stimulates the brain’s “reward centers,” which produces the same high a drug addict or alcoholic feels. Signs and symptoms include: restless and irritable when doing other activities, eating meals at the computer while gaming, inability to keep track of time spent gaming, increasing defensive about game-playing habits, declining school performance, skipping class to continue gameplay, defiant, isolation from family and friends.

Poor Peer Relationships

Teens have a strong need for acceptance, approval, and belonging. Teenagers who feel isolated or rejected by their peers are more likely to engage in harmful behaviors to fit into any group. Peer pressure can impair good judgment. Teens who already struggle with learning differences are often rejected by their peers due to their age-inappropriate behavior. Clients of ERTP practice a positive peer culture and learn to interpret verbal and non-verbal communication better.

​Reactive Attachment Disorder

Reactive Attachment Disorder is a rare mental health condition in which infants and young children cannot establish healthy bonds with parents or caregivers. Basic needs for comfort, affection, nurturing, and stimulation that weren’t met resulted in children who never learned how to create loving and caring attachments with other people. They are unable to give or receive affection.