Teenage is one of the most critical phases of life.
The human body undergoes the various transformations during this phase. So many physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral changes occur simultaneously in young boys and girls reaching their adulthood. These changes often lead to different mental health issues if not handled appropriately. These issues include depression, anxiety, panic attacks and phobias.
At present anxiety is the most prevailing psychological problem in the teens. According to a survey, 25 to 30 percent of teens are suffering from anxiety. Depression is the second largest mental health issue among the teens and approx. 20 percent of the teens are experiencing different levels of depression.
Another study states depression as the prevailing issue in the US and around the world. Besides these two major issues, some individuals also develop various phobias in their teenage.
Eating disorders are also common among teens.
Some teens do develop bipolar disorder but it’s quite rare.
Factors Responsible for Mental Health Issues in Teens:
Various factors contribute towards the possibility of developing mental health issues in teenagers. Some of them are discussed here:
CONSIDER READING: How Successful Men Stay Mentally Strong in Tough Times.
Development of Brain:
According to various scientific studies, the teen brain experiences a significant growth of neurons and many modifications in the interconnectivity between their neurons and other parts of the brain. The major revolution occurs at the prefrontal cortex of the brain.
This region of the brain controls the cognitive development and problem-solving skills. While the brain is developing at a faster pace often teens are unable to comprehend their thought process and are more likely to develop anxiety and panic attacks.
Emotional Transformations:
Once a child becomes a teenager, they undergo several emotional transformations that occur simultaneously.
In one instance, they believe they know everything, and on the next moment, they start feeling insecure. They want to fly high and break the chains and they also want to be praised and loved by their family.
They want to explore the world all alone but at the same time, they find them lacking in required skills and cognitive abilities. They assume themselves as powerful yet they have fear of getting bullied and rejected. These contradictory emotions often lead to psychological issues in youngsters, which eventually develop depression and anxiety.
CONSIDER READING: Is Frenemies The New Poison Causing Mental And Emotional Stress.
Social Pressure and the Role of Parents:
The social pressure also plays a crucial role in leading teens towards mental health issues.
Often expectations from parents, teachers and other adults restrict teens from following their own dreams and choose their own paths.
Teenagers certainly desire freedom and autonomy but they are often controlled by their adults who might not be ready to untie the knots. This dominant role of parents and adults often hurt the ego and self-confidence of the growing youth.
Besides the overpowering parental factor, peer pressure is also there. The natural desire of being prominent and socially acceptable is at its peak in this critical phase of life. In case of failure to achieve the required social attention, often teens develop severe mental health issues.
CONSIDER READING: Women And Depression.
Conclusion:
Mental health issues are natural and can occur at any phase of life. They are often treatable if diagnosed on time. There is no shame in it and it’s always better to seek professional guidance if someone suffers from any such issue. The unfortunate thing is that 80% of kids with depression and a diagnosable anxiety disorder do not get any treatment. Be sure to talk to your teen and seek medical assistance if you notice anything wrong.
