The journey through childhood and adolescence can be a difficult one, paved with physical and emotional twists and turns. Oftentimes, it's normal for young people to experience shifts in their physical and emotional behavior, but sometimes, these changes can signal a mental health problem.

Teens and kids experience the same mental health issues adults do, including anxiety, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder. However, they may not experience the same signs as adults, and sometimes the symptoms aren’t as obvious, either.

Teens and children often struggle to rationalize and vocalize their feelings, so parents should watch out for even subtle changes. A physician’s evaluation may also be extremely important, since some mental illness are more severe than others. Acute mental illness, like schizophrenia, characterized by psychotic episodes, and some forms of depression can be debilitating and need immediate medical attention. It can be tough for a parent to determine the severity of a condition. Spotting the signs of any disorder and making an appointment quickly can be important, since swift treatment is typically more effective.

These seven indicators can point to a number of different conditions, and should not be ignored. A doctor or other mental health professional can best identify the problem and get your child the help he or she needs.