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:

• 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.