Adolescent Mental Health Guide

During adolescence, teenagers go through numerous changes. While many of these are physical in nature, mental health changes can also occur. How a person feels emotionally and how they handle stress or relate to the people around them are all a part of mental health. When an adolescent has a mental health disorder, their behavior, mood, and ability to think are affected in a way that can be disruptive and even dangerous. Adolescents are susceptible to mental health issues, as their minds are still in a state of development. As such, they can be vulnerable to the hormonal changes that occur within the body as well as outside influences such as their environment or social group. Many mental health issues can affect a person during adolescence. Mental health disorders that often appear during this time can range from depression to anxiety to behavioral problems. Statistically, as 20 percent of teens have a diagnosable mental health disorder. If not treated, mental health issues can affect a teenager at school, at home, with friends, and even in future endeavors.

Anxiety

When a person has an anxiety disorder, they are overcome by extreme feelings of worry, stress, and fear. While some anxiety is normal and even healthy, a person who suffers from this disorder will feel disabled by it, as it is constant, will likely interfere with day-to-day activities, and may worsen rather than lessen with time. Generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder are just a few of the different types of anxiety disorders that one may suffer from. Typically, girls are more susceptible to this type of mental illness, although both genders may be affected.

Eating Disorders

Bulimia and anorexia are two common types of eating disorders. With eating disorders, an adolescent develops unhealthy behavior and thoughts toward food and their body. The sufferer may see themselves as overweight even if they are actually at a normal body weight. This causes them to resort to extreme behavior such as binging and then vomiting up food, eating less than healthy amounts of food, exercising excessively, or taking laxatives to rid themselves of what they have eaten. Eating disorders can cause a number of health problems, such as dental erosion, bone thinning, low blood pressure, kidney, heart, or brain damage, and even death. Although eating disorders are most frequently associated with girls, adolescent boys are also susceptible to them.

Depression

When a teenager regularly expresses feelings of sadness, despair, or hopelessness, it is important for parents, teachers, or other guardians to take notice. Although feelings of sadness can be normal at times, depression is so much more. It is categorized as a type of mood disorder and is characterized by emotions that are severe and negative. With depression, the brain is unable to properly regulate emotion, which allows a low mood to reach intense levels. As a result, it begins to affect how a teen thinks, their actions, and how they feel. An adolescent who suffers from depression may have the desire to self-harm or may even become suicidal. It can affect both boys and girls and is a condition that may run in some families.

Drug Abuse

Adolescent drug abuse involves the use of prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal drugs to the point that it begins to interfere with one's ability or desire to function normally. It can interfere with school, family and social relationships, and participation in activities. In some cases, it may also lead to problems with law enforcement, or it may cause behavior that is reckless. Drug abuse is not yet addiction, but it can lead to addiction. With drug abuse, a person will continue using the drug despite the negative effects that it is having on their life. Additionally, drug abuse can interfere with the normal development of the adolescent mind. The abuse of drugs can lead to violence, car accidents, unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, and death.

Behavioral Disorders

Behavioral disorders affect how adolescents interact with others and respond to situations. They can cause problems in school, at home, or at play. Teenagers who suffer from a behavioral disorder may regularly be argumentative or difficult to handle or throw temper tantrums. They may become physically aggressive or prone to outbursts or experience difficulties in social settings. While some of these traits may seem like normal adolescent behavior, a teen with a behavioral disorder will behave this way regularly and to an extreme extent. There are several types of behavioral disorders, with the most common being conduct disorders, ADHD, and oppositional defiant disorder. These disorders typically occur in children and teenagers; however, they may extend to adulthood, when they may impact a person's livelihood and relationships.

General Health

Because adolescents are in an overall state of growth and development, it is important for them to maintain good general health. To help teenagers obtain and maintain a strong body and mind, it is important that they eat properly, cutting back on sweets, fats, and processed foods. Staying physically fit and active builds strong muscles, strengthens bones, and helps keep the mind active and sharp. Brushing and flossing regularly helps maintain a healthy mouth, which also contributes to good health.

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