Adolescence can be a tough period for every human being. Remember when you were a teen in your high school, and try jotting down instances when you were in an emotional turmoil. Several occurrences – bullying, fights, low grades, competition, partiality – can lead to mental illnesses
like depression, anxiety, insecurity, emptiness, and more. In this article, we’ll be addressing the topic of mental health for teens, why it is so mercurial, and how to manage it effortlessly.
Why is mental health a big concern in teens?
With one in every six people aged 10-19 years, teens make a substantial part of the human race. Sadly, depression is among the leading causes of illness and disability in adolescents, and suicide is the primary cause of death in 15-19-year-olds. Teen mental health, if not addressed early, can lead to irreversible mental health conditions that can extend to adulthood and can impede both psychological and physical opportunities.
Why are teens more likely to get affected by mental illness?
As discussed before, teenage is a mercurial period. The mind is fully developed but not matured enough to accept, analyze, and differ the emotions based on their consequences. A bad breakup in youth can lead to chronic depression and even suicidal thoughts, whereas, when adults break up, they tend to handle the situation with more sophistication.
Similarly, when a kid or a teen loses a loved one, they might get more affected and find it difficult to overcome the loss. Contrarily, adults learn to embrace the loss and move forward. In a nutshell, adults are better at accepting and responding to situations, whereas, teens are more likely to react without considering the consequences.
Common mental health problems in teens
Although there exist tons of psychological issues, there are some key mental health issues most adolescents suffer from. These include:
Depression
While everybody suffers from acute depression, clinical depression can be a serious medical
condition. Watch for the following symptoms:
Altered sleep patterns
Excessive sadness or moodiness
Excessive secrecy or paranoia
Body image concerns
Self-isolation
Eating disorders
Most teens tend to fill up their emotional void with food, either binge-eating or not eating at all.
Look for these symptoms.
Anorexia: Trying to avoid eating food
Bulimia: Forced vomiting (purging) after eating
Binge-eating: Overeating all-day
Drug abuse
Substance abuse is another rising issue among teens. In high school and college, youths get acquainted with alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs. It might initially begin as a recreational practice, but in times of stress and depression, adolescents tend to use them for ‘self-medication.’ And, we all know what consequences can drug abuse have on the brain and body of an individual.
Tips for teens
If you are a teenager in your high school or college, this is for you. Regardless of whether you are psychological turmoil or not, it is essential to prepare yourself for the namesake of hard times. Firstly, be mindful that nothing is more important than your life – your pride, body image,reputation, popularity, self-esteem – none of it.
Secondly, learn to respond rather than react. Just because a girl bitched about you to your crush, that doesn’t mean you end up pulling her hair in front of the class, get suspended, and spend a week in your bed crying and gobbling chocolates all day. Learn to differentiate what instances need you to act furiously and which ones require no entertaining whatsoever.
Lastly, and most importantly, involve your parents. The feeling of being ‘grown-up’ can be so predominant in teens that they prefer handling things themselves. Although taking responsibility is a good thing, it doesn’t hurt to seek some love and support from your parents.
Tips for parents
If your kid is not willing to share their problems, as a parent you must get involved. Whether your kid is 13, 15, or 19, and no matter how mature or intellectually developed they are, they need you by their side. Here’s what you should be doing as a parent.
Establish constant, open, friendly communication: Your children should know that they can talk to you about anything openly and honestly.
Understand mental disorders are treatable: Learn about mental disorders in teens, and figure out ways to cure them.
Pay attention to your child’s behavior: Adolescence is a time of transition, and you should be attentive to your child’s behavioral changes.
Conclusion
Psychological problems in teens are prevalent, and if not addressed in time, they can develop into life-long impediments. Luckily, they are treatable with some love, support, and care. Want to know more about how you can get rid of adolescent mental disorders and other emotional and psychological challenges?
Check out The Mind Game on Google Books.
