Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems in teenagers, yet only a minority access professional help. The new findings emphasize the need for interventions that target teenagers and reach their families, schools, and society as a whole. They also show how working with teenagers could ensure that new interventions in mental health and help-seeking are meaningful for this age group.
It’s natural to assume that anxiety and depression are very different. The sadness and lethargy typical of depression seem nothing like the fearful agitation associated with anxiety disorders. Indeed, they appear in separate chapters of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities. It can affect how you think, feel, and handle daily activities, and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. Symptoms may include changes in appetite or weight, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and difficulty concentrating. Depression is a complex condition with various potential causes, including genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.
Perhaps this scenario sounds familiar: An anxious teen avoids a challenging assignment or an interaction with a new group of peers. Before long, they face a mountain of missing work or find themselves left out of social opportunities. They become overwhelmed by despair and shut down in a state of depression. Or it might go the other way—over time, the effects of depression (such as social isolation or being bullied) turn into a source of anxiety.
These examples illustrate two of how these seemingly different disorders of depression and anxiety can be interrelated. And when they occur together, which is known as “comorbid” depression & anxiety, they are far more difficult to treat than either condition on its own.
Shame, stigma, and a lack of knowledge about mental health problems are some of the barriers that prevent young people from seeking professional help for anxiety and depression. New research has identified many of these barriers.
Some, such as a lack of trust in professionals, or limited support from their families, could also affect other groups. But others were specific to teenagers, such as a growing need for autonomy and independence.
Adolescence is a vulnerable time for teens emotionally and psychologically. This is particularly true because teens are pulling away from their parents. They are also seeking their sense of self through friends and social groups. Despite moving closer to friends and pulling away from parents and family, teens continue to need parental love and acceptance. And while making this transition, teens may become vulnerable to depression and other forms of mental illness.
Chronic feelings of hopelessness and sadness lasting for at least two weeks may indicate that a teen is experiencing a major depressive episode. When determining if your teen daughter or son is experiencing depression, it is essential to consider how long they have been exhibiting symptoms, how different they are acting, and how severe the symptoms are. Many signs of depression can be explained by hormones and stress – but some cannot, and it is crucial to know the difference.
There are many potential causes of depression and many factors affecting the mental health of teens, like:
- Difficult family situations, such as domestic abuse or violence, poverty, or other family and social problems.
- Genetic predisposition, however, not all teens who are predisposed will develop the condition, and some with no family history of teen depression can develop it.
- Medical conditions, including hypothyroidism.
- Substance abuse may also lead to depression.
- Traumatic life events, defined as any event that causes distress or trauma or a significant lifestyle change, can contribute to depression.
Other signs of depression in teenagers may include:
- Anger, hostility, or irritability
- Changes in eating habits (eating disorders)
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Fatigue, lack of energy or lethargy
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Frequent crying
- Hopelessness or sadness
- Lack of motivation
- Loss of interest in extracurricular activities
- Low self-esteem
- Poor school performance
- Restlessness
- Self-harm or thoughts of self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts
- Withdrawal from family, friends, and social circles
Depression and anxiety are serious mental health issues that can affect teens. Dealing with depression and anxiety in teens can be challenging, but several strategies can help. It’s important to remember that every teenager is unique, so the approach may vary depending on their specific needs. These are some strategies for dealing with depression and anxiety in teens:
- Limit exposure to triggers: Identify and minimize triggers that may exacerbate a teen’s depression or anxiety. This could include setting boundaries with certain people or limiting exposure to stressful situations and dangerous risks.
- Support healthy coping mechanisms: Encourage your teen to develop healthy coping mechanisms for managing their emotions. This could include journaling, creative outlets, listening to music, or finding a physical activity they enjoy.
- Social support: Encourage teenagers to maintain healthy relationships and engage in activities with friends or family members. Social support can be crucial in managing depression and anxiety.
- Encourage self-care: Help in teen prioritize self-care activities such as engaging in hobbies, practicing relaxation techniques, or setting aside time for themselves. Self-care is essential for maintaining good mental health.
- Stress reduction techniques: Teach teenagers various stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or engaging in activities they enjoy. These can help them manage their anxiety and calm their minds.
- Love teenagers unconditionally: The relationship between child and parent is essential during adolescence. As described above, teenagers is going to want to pull away. Nonetheless, showing that you are there for your teen, making sure that you have a relationship that is open and honest can create a feeling that your teen can come to you when he or she needs to. Some ways to do this is to Set aside each day to talk. Find out what your teen is excited about. Praise his or her achievements. Offer positive feedback. Respond to your child’s anger with calm assurance versus more aggression.
- Be ready to listen: When they do start to open up, use active listening to help them feel heard. Wrap up what you’re doing — work, meal planning, or getting other kids ready for bed as soon as you can and try not to let the moment pass.
Depression sometimes makes people feel as if they’re burdening loved ones. That means they might take a completely reasonable, “Just 5 minutes!” as a rejection and hesitate to “bother” you again.
If you can’t stop what you’re doing, take a moment to explain. “I want to give you my full attention, but I need to take care of this first. I’ll be done in about 45 minutes, and then I can focus on you completely.”
- Open communication: Encourage teenagers to talk about their feelings and concerns. Provide a safe, non-judgmental space where they feel comfortable expressing themselves.
Conclusion
Shame, stigma, and a lack of knowledge about mental health problems, are some of the barriers that prevent young people from seeking professional help for anxiety and depression. New research has identified many of these barriers. Some, such as a lack of trust in professionals, or limited support from their families, could also affect other groups. But others were specific to teenagers, such as a growing need for autonomy and independence.
