One of the major barriers preventing teenagers from receiving treatment is society’s lack of understanding. It is no secret that mental health has been stigmatized for decades leading up to recent years. People with mental illnesses ended up in asylums, or they were shunned from the rest of society. Even today, parents may not take their teenagers mental problems seriously. Many parents feel that their children are merely feeling sad or nervous–common human emotions– but the reality is that mental illness affects one in every five adolescents. Mental illnesses occur when the normal feelings do not disappear on their own.
Feelings of sadness are different from depressive disorders; depression is long-lasting, creates feelings of hopelessness, and it usually produces physical symptoms. Sadness results from loss, disappointment, or genuinely difficult circumstances. It can easily be dealt with by venting or crying, and it appears in isolated time periods. Depression is a mental disorder that encompasses sadness, but it lasts more than two weeks. The most common types of depression are clinical depression, major depressive disorder, and major depression. When someone is struggling with depression, they may feel worthless, guilty, or experience irritability without reason. Loss of appetite, problems with sleeping, trouble concentrating, and unexpected aches are common physical symptoms of depression. More often than not, teenagers with depression struggle to function on a basic level. Their depression is overwhelming, and the sadness does not disappear by simple means.
Similarly, anxiety disorders disrupt daily life and result in distress or meltdowns. Feeling anxious is merely the human “fight or flight” response. Many teenagers feel nervous about upcoming tests or talking to someone new, and they may be reluctant to take the risk, However, these nervous episodes last a short period of time, and they can be cared for with a little reassurance. Anxiety disorders occur when either the mind cannot overcome the “fight or flight” response, or it remains constantly on-edge. Generalized anxiety disorder (G.A.D.) is the most common diagnosis among teens, but Panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety, PTSD, and OCD are also classified as anxiety disorders. Symptoms may include irritability, headaches, nausea, difficulty sleeping, fidgeting, or loss of consciousness. While social anxiety may seem like a fear everyone has at some point, teens diagnosed with social anxiety often display severe physical reactions to crowds and public attention. Anxiety is a normal human reaction, but anxiety disorders dramatically disrupt a teenager’s lifestyle.
Depression and anxiety disorders are the two most common mental illnesses facing teenagers today. These illnesses disrupt lifestyles, leading teenagers to struggle in crucial developmental years. If left untreated, many teenagers will resort to self-harm or suicide. Being able to see the signs and differentiate between normal reactions and developing illnesses is essential to ending the mental health crisis.
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