Why Teens Feel Lost | Psychotherapist Deirdre Mellet Explains

📝 Episode Description

In this powerful episode of The Laura Dowling Experience, Laura sits down with advanced nurse practitioner and child psychotherapist Deirdre Mellet to unpack what’s really going on for teenagers today.

From self-harm and emotional dysregulation to ADHD, anxiety, and the pressure of living in an overwhelming world, Dearbhla brings deep professional insight — and a lot of heart — to the conversation.

This episode is essential listening for parents, caregivers, teachers, and anyone who wants to better understand and support young people.

🧠 Key Points

• Why there’s no such thing as “normal” in mental health
• Why teens are feeling increasingly lost and overwhelmed
• Understanding self-harm and emotional dysregulation
• How to help teens regulate their emotions
• ADHD medication: what parents should know
• The impact of global stress and social media on teen mental health
• How to find qualified therapists and build trust with young people
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🛠️ Actionable Tips

• Lead with empathy, not solutions — acknowledge feelings before fixing.
• Watch for triggers and early signs of overwhelm in teens.
• Use metaphor (like “being a lighthouse”) to reframe parenting approaches.
• Explore practical supports such as Jigsaw, CAMHS, and occupational therapy.
• Prioritise finding the right therapist, not just the first available one.

🕛 Timestamps

00:00 — “There’s no such thing as normal” — Why we need to rethink mental health

02:05 — Why so many young people are struggling today

03:30 — Understanding self-harm and emotional overwhelm

05:45 — Getting into CAMHS: criteria, challenges & real experiences

08:00 — Girls vs boys: how ADHD can present differently

10:00 — What anxiety really feels like for young people

12:00 — Accessing services: what parents can do while waiting for support

13:45 — How to teach emotional regulation (and why “fixing” doesn’t work)

17:00 — What’s really behind teen anger and emotional outbursts

23:00 — “Be the lighthouse, not the anchor” — A powerful parenting metaphor

29:00 — Why ADHD medication isn’t a quick fix (finding the sweet spot)

36:00 — Tools like ear loops & OT support that can make a difference

40:00 — Motivation struggles in teens with ADD/ADHD

42:00 — How to respond if your child shares or writes about dark thoughts

44:00 — The emotional weight of the world on young people

47:00 — How to find a qualified therapist you can trust

50:00 — Why therapist fit matters more than people think

53:00 — Misconceptions around “lack of empathy” in young people

55:00 — Sextortion & online risks: what parents need to know

58:00 — Final reflections: why connection is everything

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

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