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Medically reviewed by: Leah J. Orchinik, PhD Most of us know that some teens cut. But cutting — using a sharp object like a razorblade, knife, or scissors to make marks, cuts, or scratches on one's own body — is just one form of self-injury. Teens who self-in...

Medically reviewed by: Allison T. Dovi, PhD Parents do everything they can to protect their children. But sadly, many kids have gone through trauma. A trauma is any event that is deeply upsetting, scary, or harmful. Things like abuse, violence, accidents, or...

Medically reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD Everyone feels lonely at times. Loneliness is feeling alone, distant, or separate from others when you want to feel close or included. Kids and teens might feel lonely when they: feel left out or don’t have friend...

Medically reviewed by: KidsHealth Medical Experts Who Do Some Kids Bang Their Head? Head banging can be upsetting for parents to see. But in most cases, occasional head banging is a form of self-stimulation, self-comfort, or a way to release frustration. It'...

Medically reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD Smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States. It can also cause many diseases. But many young people pick up a smoking habit every year. In fact, 90% of adult smokers sta...

Medically reviewed by: KidsHealth Behavioral Health Experts Eating disorders control thoughts and feelings, which make it hard for people to make healthy choices when eating. You can help your child develop a healthier relationship with food by working with t...

Medically reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD What Is OCD? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) causes upsetting thoughts called obsessions. It also causes the urge to do behaviors called compulsions (also called rituals). Kids and teens with OCD get stuck in a s...

Medically reviewed by: Shirin Hasan, MD How ADHD Affects Kids ADHD causes kids to be more inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive than is normal for their age. ADHD makes it harder for kids to develop the skills that control attention, behavior, emotions, an...

Medically reviewed by: Shirin Hasan, MD Do these sound like your teen? easily distracted never seems to listen can't sit still disorganized or messy acts without thinking has emotional outbursts Even if you know that these behaviors stem from your ...

Medically reviewed by: Yamini Durani, MD What Is Pica? Pica is an eating disorder in which a person eats things not usually considered food. Young kids often put non-food items (like grass or toys) in their mouths because they're curious about the world arou...

Medically reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD What Is Sexting? Sexting (or "sex texting") is sending or getting sexually explicit or suggestive images, messages, or video on a smartphone, computer, tablet, or other device. Sexting includes sending or re...

Medically reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD What Is Encopresis? If your child has bowel movements (BMs) in places other than the toilet, you know how frustrating it can be. Parents might assume that kids who soil their pants are misbehaving or too lazy to use ...

Medically reviewed by: Rupal Christine Gupta, MD It's important to understand the facts about steroids, their side effects, and what can drive kids and teens to try them. Being aware of the kinds of pressures kids deal with in sports can help you make sure th...

Medically reviewed by: Julia K. Hartnett, MS, CCC-SLP What Is Stuttering? Many young kids go through a stage between the ages of 2 and 5 when they stutter. This might make them: repeat certain syllables, words, or phrases prolong them stop, making no so...

Medically reviewed by: Amy W. Anzilotti, MD Many kids and teens try alcohol during their high school and college years, before it's legal for them to drink it. Parents have a big effect on their child’s choices about drinking. So talk about alcohol use with y...