Teenagers and young people are no different than anyone else when it comes to mental health. The reality is that the global pandemic has caused a massive increase in the number of people experiencing signs and symptoms of anxiety, depression, feelings of hopelessness, and more. If you’re a parent to a teenager or a teen yourself, you may already know just how difficult feeling hopeful can be during these unconventional times. The good news is that you aren’t alone and there are people out there who can help. For a closer look at three common teen mental health disorders that are being specifically aggravated by current times, read on.
1. Depression
Today’s teens are under a lot of pressure. Many are struggling with isolation due to the pandemic. Others have missed out on major milestones and are having trouble with grief, sadness, and a loss of interest in things they once enjoyed. These teens can get help through family therapy where a licensed therapist can work with the teen and their family members to get to the core issues and help build back relationships that may be suffering due to these challenging times. If you’re a teen who’s lost hope, it’s important to remember you’re not alone. Even telling a friend about the symptoms you’re experiencing could be a great place to start when it comes to addressing sadness or even clinical depression.
2. Anxiety
With the pressures of being a teen these days from social media to getting the perfect national honors society scholarship that will mean great things for those college essays, it’s no surprise that many teens feel anxious about the future. If you or the teen you care about is spending time worrying, having trouble sleeping, or feeling paralyzed when it comes to decision making, it might be a good idea to reach out for help with anxiety, an entirely common and treatable mental disorder.
3. Behavioral Disorders
Impulse control issues can range from pathological gambling, excessive use of alcohol, overspending or shopping, dangerous sexual behaviors, and drug use. Often mistaken for mania in people who have bipolar disorder, impulse control issues are different in that people who experience them regularly can’t control compulsions or temptations that provide instant gratification. While impulse control issues often have a genetic factor tied to them, they are also behavioral disorders that can be treated.
Impulsive behaviors, while serious, are treatable with cognitive behavioral therapy. For example, if you have a compulsive gambling problem but have never been diagnosed with any other mental health conditions, it’s possible to seek help for only your impulse control disorder and be able to change your behaviors. That is, you don’t have to have other disorders to suffer from this one even though impulse control issues could be a sign of another problem, too. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that young people today often suffer from behavioral and impulse disorders and that mental health in young people is important to address as soon as possible.
The great news is that being your best self and feel like you again can begin with reaching out for help regardless of what you or the teen you love is struggling with. In the end, if you or the teenager you love are feeling stressed out, experiencing behavior changes, or have lost hope, there are people out there who can help. Doing what you can to reach out to trusted family, friends, and a licensed professional is a great first step in feeling better soon. You’re far from alone and deserve to feel like the best version of yourself. Best of luck to you and the people you care about as you work together to get help for the teen in your life.
