Growth and Development,Ages 15 to 18 Years - When to Call a Doctor
Talk to your teen's doctor if you are concerned about your teen's health or other issues. For example:
- A significant delay in physical or sexual development-for example, if sexual development has not begun by age 15.
- Becoming sexually active. Teens who are sexually active need to be educated about birth control and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Being overweight. A doctor can help guide weight loss and proper nutrition.
- Severe acne.
- Problems with attention or learning.
Call the doctor or a mental health professional if your teen develops behavioral problems or signs of mental health problems. These may include:
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- Expressing a lack of self-worth or talking about suicide.
- Acting physically aggressive.
- Regularly experiencing severe mood swings, such as being happy and excited one minute and sad and depressed the next.
- A significant change in appetite, weight, or eating behaviors. These may signal an eating disorder.
- Dropping out of school or failing classes.
- Having serious relationship problems with friends and family that affect home or school life.
- Showing a lack of interest in normal activities and withdrawing from other people.
- Seeking or having sex with multiple partners.
For more information, see the topics Depression in Children and Teens, Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Infections, and/or Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
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