Mental health in teenagers

Mental health problems affect around one in six children. They include depression, anxiety and conduct disorder (a type of behavioural problem), and are often a direct response to what is happening in their lives.

It’s normal for teenagers to be moody at times. But when are an adolescent’s mood swings a sign of something more—like mental illness?

Mental illness is more common in teens than you think. But many types of mental illness are treatable, and it’s just a matter of pinpointing the diagnosis. 

A bad mental health is a sign of not in a good condition kind of situation where teenagers don’t interact with anyone and stays quiet. 

Mental pressure could be due to any reason it could be due to expectations, due to peer pressure , study pressure, goals in life ,relationships friends etc. 

There are a few common types of mental illness in teens

The most common mental illnesses in teens are:

•Generalised anxiety—Excessive worry about everyday matters

•Social phobias—Severe feelings of self-consciousness and insecurity in social settings

•Depression—Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, and/or emptiness

More than 1 in 10 children between 12 and 17 years old experienced an episode of major depression in 2014. That means for at least 2 weeks, the teen:

Was depressed or lost interest or pleasure in other activities could not function normally, having trouble with things like sleep, energy, or concentration.

Warning signs of mental illness in teens vary depending on the condition

For most kids, one of the telltale signs is going to be a decline in grades, but there are other warning signs, as well.

Changes in social habits including pulling away from school, friends, and activities that your child has enjoyed participating in in the past could be another warning sign. 

Generalized anxiety, social phobias, and depression also have their own unique symptoms.

Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include:

• Feeling restless, wound up, or on edge

• Becoming fatigued easily

• Struggling with concentration

• Experiencing irritability

• Feeling muscle tension

• Having difficulty keeping worry levels under control

• Struggling with sleep, such as difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep, or not feeling well-rested

• Social anxiety disorder symptoms include

• Feeling very anxious at the thought of being around others, and struggling to talk to other people

• Experiencing extreme self-consciousness and fear of humiliation, embarrassment, rejection, or offending people

• Worrying about being judged

• Feeling anxious days or even weeks ahead of a social event

• Avoiding places where other people will be

• Struggling to make and keep friends

• Blushing, sweating, or trembling around others

• Experiencing nausea around other Social anxiety disorder symptoms include:

• Most of the teenagers are into relationship as well which they kind of don’t understand so they feel pressurised under this situation. 

• They don’t know how to tackle the situations correctly so rather than focusing on their studies they are focusing on these which is problematic. 

Mental health is just as important as physical health

First and foremost, we must understand that. If a child has a fever or a persistent cough, parents react — they pay attention and reach out for help. But if a child seems sad or irritable, or less interested in activities they used to enjoy, they tend to think of it as a phase, or teen angst, or something else that can be ignored. The mental health of our children is crucial. Not only does mental health affect physical health, but untreated mental health problems interfere with learning, socialization, self-esteem, and other important aspects of child development that can have lifelong repercussions. And for some children, untreated mental health problems lead to suicide.

• So pay attention, and take what you see seriously. If your child is showing signs of anxiety or depression, call your doctor. Don’t put it off. If your child talks about harming themself or others, get help immediately, such as by going to your local emergency room. In this situation, it’s better to overreact than underreact.

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• Mental illness in teens is more common than people think—but also very treatable

  Mental illness is preventable. However, in most cases, parents don't bring the child in until after issues have been going on for months and months because they are in denial. Most parents feel that, "It can’t possibly be what’s happening to my child."

  You should talk to your teen if you’re concerned.

  And if you are a teenager then please do talk about your problems!!