When a young person is in the throes of a mental health crisis, timely and proactive treatment is crucial. Yet, in the tumultuous phase of young adulthood, recognizing and addressing these crises can be challenging. Unlike their adolescent years, young adults may live away from family or are not closely monitored in educational environments, making it easier for warning signs to be missed. Data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reveals that 75% of mental health conditions begin by age 24. This means that during young adulthood, the risk of developing significant mental health issues is at its peak and the sooner a young person can be connected to intervention, the better the chances of long-term positive outcomes.
In this article, we spoke with The Dorm’s Partner & Chief Clinical Officer, Amanda Fialk, PhD, LCSW, who shares the most common (and sometimes overlooked) “red flags” families and loved ones need to look out for.
6 Mental Health Warning Signs in Young Adults
- Withdrawal and Isolation
According to the American Psychological Association, 60% of young adults feel more isolated now than before the pandemic. While it might be difficult at this age to identify isolating tendencies, any time an individual starts withdrawing from social activities, extracurriculars or hobbies that they once loved, or everyday interactions, it could be a sign of underlying struggles. If a young adult is not at home, this may take the shape of:
Reduced or Changes in Overall Communication
“An example may be that a young adult used to check-in by text or call every day or every week, and now that frequency has become more erratic or stopped altogether,” explains Dr. Fialk. “They may cancel plans to visit or see family or friends, preferring to be alone”.
Minimized or Altered Online Activity If a young adult used to be active on social media posting updates and personal news and is now doing so infrequently, suddenly over posting or content is taking a very different tone (negative, pessimistic, sarcastic or sad content), this is worthy of further investigation.
- Changes in Behavior and Mood
Noticeable changes in behavior such as anger, irritability, mood swings, sudden outbursts, or unexplained anger could indicate internal struggles. This may also take the shape of:
Shifts in eating or sleeping habits, such as overeating or insomnia, which could be manifestations of stress or emotional distress. Data from The Sleep Foundation found that 50% of young adults experiencing social withdrawal also reported increasing incidences of sleep disturbances.
Changes in Spending Patterns. “Into the young adult years, parents/family members may be managing big purchases and family spending. If a young adult is suddenly not spending on things they used to enjoy, or is spending erratically, this is something to watch out for,” warns Dr. Fialk.
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- Academic or Work Performance Decline
According to The National Center for Education Statistics, a 25% decline in academic performance is linked to social withdrawal and patterns of isolation and mental health issues can also increase levels of absenteeism by 20%. This points to the strong correlation between academic and work performance and potential underlying challenges for students and young people. “Difficulties concentrating and diminished motivation is often connected to mental health struggles,” explains Dr. Fialk. Parents and family members should pay special attention to:
- A sudden drop in grades
- Missed deadlines
- Increased/unexplained absences
- Avoidance talking about school/work
- Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms like weight changes, fatigue, headaches, stomach aches, or other unexplained pains can sometimes be manifestations of an underlying mental health issue. While these symptoms could be caused by various factors, persistent physical discomfort alongside other signs of struggle should not be overlooked.
- Expressing Negative Thoughts or Feelings
Pay attention if a young adult expresses feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, or if they talk about feeling trapped or overwhelmed. They might also express thoughts of self-harm or suicide. These verbal cues shouldn’t be ignored and should be taken seriously, even if they are sometimes dismissed as “just joking.” This is a strong signal that professional help is immediately necessary.
- Trust Your Gut! Ultimately, as the parents and/or primary family members, you know your child/loved one best. We always recommend that it is better to err on the side of caution when it comes to seeking out professional mental health support.
How The Dorm Supports Young Adults in Need of Mental Health Treatment
Once a family has identified that help is necessary they’ll begin the process of researching supports and treatment options that can best meet the needs of their loved one. “Our admissions specialists are experts at supporting families as they navigate these discussions, regardless of whether The Dorm is the right choice for them or not,” highlights Dr. Fialk. Outside of financial and logistical considerations, it’s important that families explore if a program has:
Expertise in Treating the Young Adult Developmental Phase
Every phase of life requires nuanced levels of support. Young adults, for example, may not find connection and rapport within a therapeutic milieu made of individuals in their teens or those in their 40s or 50s. Age-specific programming and treatment environments can offer significant benefits and improve outcomes. At The Dorm, we exclusively offer treatment that is tailored to young adults with an emphasis on treatment services and fostering a supportive peer-to-peer community that is relevant to this time of life and developmental phase. This specialization extends to our expert team, who specialize in working with this population.
Evidence-based Approaches
While treatment is a highly individualized process, knowing that a therapeutic approach is vetted and evidence-based provides confidence that clinical gains are not being left to chance. At The Dorm, we exclusively offer evidence-based treatment and therapeutic modalities such as DBT, CBT and structured group therapy to deliver outcomes that have lasting, sustained impact.
Family involvement
“When choosing a treatment program, families might not initially consider how parents and family members are integrated into the treatment process or whether the program adopts a family systems approach. However, these factors are crucial,” points out Dr. Fialk. Research shows that family involvement in treatment can significantly improve outcomes with one study finding that family therapy led to better outcomes for substance abuse treatment compared to individual therapy alone. At The Dorm we take a family-centered approach with an emphasis on enhancing communication dynamics and offering robust emotional support, psycho-education and skill development.
Flexibility and Community Integration
Young adulthood is a busy time when connection to social networks and community is important to well-being. Having treatment available in the settings where a young person wants to build a life long-term is important. It’s also helpful when individuals can receive help while they begin or continue to pursue important life goals, be that higher education, volunteering or a job. At The Dorm, our city-based treatment helps young people connect with a life that feels meaningful without the need to press pause or relocate after their care. At the end of their treatment journey with us, young adult clients are independently functioning on all levels and equipped for whatever’s next. Today, 87% of our alumni are in school full-time or gainfully employed, living out their dreams and thriving.
Thank you, Dr. Fialk, for your insight on this important topic. To learn more about The Dorm’s approach and our intensive outpatient programming at The Dorm, reach out to our admission specialist today.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be regarded as medical advice or replace the advice of a clinician/physician.
