According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 49.5% of adolescents aged 13-18 have a mental illness, with 3.2 million suffering from depression and about twice that suffering from anxiety.
We all remember how stressful and draining being a teenager could be, and with social media placing high expectations on teens, as well as pressure to get into a good college, and day-to-day stressors, being a teenager today is as hard as ever.
In this article, we will talk about what to look for when it comes to mental illness in teenagers and how as adults we can offer our support and help them through this tumultuous time.
What does depression and anxiety look like in teens
Something that is true of teenagers is that their emotions can be all over the place. It can be tricky to differentiate between depression and anxiety and just a regular hormonal mood swing. Thankfully, there are signs to look for in your teen’s behavior that are indicative of an underlying mental illness.
One of the biggest tells of depression in teenagers is a sudden habit of problems in school. Lack of interest in school, dropping grades, and poor attendance, can all be symptoms of depression, anxiety, or school phobia (school refusal).
Teens who feel hopeless from depression may also act out in other ways such as running away from home or talking about running away, abusing alcohol or other substances, and reckless behavior like reckless driving, binge drinking, and having unsafe sex.
Phobias, separation anxiety, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorder also present symptoms in teenagers. With anxiety-based disorders, many of the symptoms overlap with depression.
Anxiety can present itself as irritability, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating emotionally in teenagers. There are also social changes to look out for such as isolating themselves from friends, spending more time alone, and avoiding extra-curricular activities.
Physical symptoms of anxiety and depression such as GI issues, excessive fatigue, headaches, and changes in eating patterns may also be present.
What causes depression and anxiety in teens
Now that we know how depression and anxiety present themselves in teens, being aware of the causes of these illnesses can help you figure out the best course of action for helping your teen.
A misconception about mental illness is that in order for it to occur, one must have gone through what therapists refer to as a “capital ‘T’ Trauma.” Abuse, life-threatening injuries, natural disasters are all Traumas with a capital T, but mental illness can be triggered by smaller stressors as well. Divorce, moving towns or changing schools, the pressure of academic success. These factors can all contribute to depression and anxiety in teenagers.
We are also living in a world that grows more and more frightening each year. On top of regular hormonal changes and the stress of growing up, generationally teenagers are dealing with a rise in school shootings, regular instances of terrorism and hate crimes, and even the ever-present pressures of social media are more common causes of mental illness as the years go by.
How adults can help teens with depression and anxiety
There are many things an adult can do to help a teen suffering from depression or anxiety. Being aware of the signs and symptoms is a good first step.
If you think you recognize the symptoms of a mental illness in your teenager, don’t wait for them to get worse before helping them. If you think they’re struggling with anxiety or depression, have a talk with them in a non-judgmental way with no shame about the symptoms they are expressing.
Keep your focus on listening rather than lecturing them. You’ve lived a longer life than they have and are wiser for it, but what your teenager needs now is someone to empathetically listen to their problems. There’s a chance they won’t want to talk to you right away, but be persistent. Building trust takes time.
Help create a plan with your child to make their mental illness easier to handle. Socializing, exercise, and having a good diet won’t cure depression or anxiety, but they can help make the illness smaller and more manageable. Offering to help them find extracurricular activities to join, keeping them active in a way that they enjoy, and making sure they get good sleep every night will ease their struggle with mental illness.
Know when to seek help. You may do everything right and put in every effort to help your teenager, but sometimes we need help from someone trained in adolescent mental health. Centers like Elevations RTC offer assessments for teens so you can all know the level of help your teen needs. There are many options for teenagers struggling with depression and anxiety such as cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, art therapy, and sometimes medication.
Conclusion
It is hard to see someone you love struggle with anxiety or depression, but knowing what to look for and the best ways to help them, even if it means sending them to a professional, is the best thing to do for a loved one.
If you or a loved one is experiencing depression or anxiety SAMHSA offers 24/7 confidential information services.
More information on treatment for depression and anxiety can be found on Elevations RTC website.
