Summer is often imagined as a time when things get lighter. School steps aside, routines loosen, and the usual pressures fade into the background. For many teens, that shift can feel like a welcome breath of fresh air.
But for some teens, especially those already struggling, summer can be unsettling. Without the rhythm of the school day or the familiar faces that come with it, the days can start to feel long, unstructured, and lonely. Instead of feeling carefree, they’re left feeling unmoored.
When school ends, so does the structure that holds many kids together. The daily routine, the presence of safe and containing adults, and the steady stream of peer interaction all quietly help them stay grounded. Without those anchors, teens who are already struggling can begin to lose their footing.
When school ends, the symptoms “emerge”
Parents often begin to notice that something feels different in the summer. It’s harder to ignore when your child is “having issues” in the seemingly endless summer. Home from college or summer vacation in high school - problems become even more apparent. Any social opportunities that existed - suddenly disappear. Any semblance of structure no longer exists. There are long stretches of time alone, mood swings become more pronounced, and behavior becomes harder to interpret.
It’s easy to chalk it up to decompressing from the school year, especially at first. But when the summer days start to pile up and things seem to get worse instead of better, it’s time to pay attention.
Mental health symptoms often surface during transitions, and that includes the transition into summer. With less environmental structure, the brain can wander. And for some kids, that lack of structure may allow for symptoms that have been simmering just beneath the surface to become more visible, or worsen.
The pain of being left behind
The social landscape of summer can make things even harder. Camp invites, beach trips, and group hangouts flood social media. But not every teen is part of it. Some are at home, watching it all unfold from the outside. FOMO isn’t just a buzzword: it's real, and can be a painful experience of exclusion.
Even for kids who weren’t struggling during the school year, this shift can be hard. But for those already dealing with anxiety, depression, or emerging symptoms of psychosis, it can deepen the sense of isolation. It’s not just that they’re not invited, it’s that they start to believe they never will be.
When solitude isn’t a choice
Parents may assume their child is choosing to be alone. Maybe they’re introverted, maybe they’re just tired. But in some cases, that solitude isn’t a preference, it’s a sign.
A teen who pulls away from friends, stops texting back, or seems disinterested in everything might be grappling with something they can’t explain. They might be hearing things; they may have a heightened suspiciousness or paranoia; they might be confused by their own thoughts. They may not even know how to ask for help.
This is what early psychosis can look like. It rarely announces itself loudly. More often, it shows up as a slow unraveling of the teen you thought you knew.
Not just a rough patch
It’s easy to mistake the early signs of psychosis for stress or typical teen moodiness. But when shifts in behavior start to linger—or take on a tone that feels unfamiliar…it’s important to take notice.
You might see your teen withdraw more than usual, struggle to express themselves clearly, or start reacting in ways that feel out of step with the moment. They may seem jumpy, guarded, or convinced something is wrong - even when it’s not.
These signs don’t always mean psychosis. But they do mean something’s going on. And when you catch changes early, you have a much better chance of helping before things get worse.
Why summer can be a tipping point
Summer creates conditions where early signs are easier to miss but harder to recover from if left unaddressed. With no school staff checking in and less casual observation from peers, changes can go unnoticed for weeks.
And because everything else in the world looks calm, from vacations to cookouts and lazy afternoons, it can be even harder for a parent to believe that something serious might be unfolding in their own home.
What to do if something feels off
You don’t have to wait for certainty. In fact, waiting is the one thing you can’t afford to do.
Start by writing down what you’re noticing. Keep track of changes in sleep, behavior, mood, and communication. Talk to your teen without jumping to conclusions. Ask questions. Create space for them to share, even if they can’t explain everything.
And if that voice in your head keeps whispering that something isn’t right, listen to it.
There’s help. Even now.
In our California OnTrack program, we specialize in treating teens aged 13 to 17 who are showing early signs of psychosis. Our team understands how these symptoms start, how they escalate, and how to intervene in a way that actually helps.
We’re here for the parents who are noticing concerns, even in the quiet weeks of summer. Especially in those weeks.
If you’re unsure what’s going on with your teen, you’re not alone. You don’t need a diagnosis to reach out. You just need the courage to say, “I think something’s going on.”
Even in the sunniest season of the year, it’s okay to ask for help.
If something about the behavior of your teen or young adult child has you concerned, even if you’re not sure what it means, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Reach out to California OnTrack at Pand Health to connect with a clinician who understands early psychosis in teens and young adults. Whether you’re looking for answers, want to ask questions, or are ready to schedule a confidential evaluation, we’re here to help.
