In many ways, mental health is just like physical health: everybody has it and we need to take care of it. Undiagnosed or untreated mental health disorders in adolescents can cause a range of problems that persist into adulthood. These problems can impact school performance or physical health. They may even lead to addictive behaviors.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the mind and body’s reaction to stressful, dangerous, or unfamiliar situations. It’s the sense of uneasiness, distress, or dread you feel before a significant event. A certain level of Anxiety helps us stay alert and aware; this disorder can cause children to be extremely scared of daily life. They can affect kids of all types. Teen anxiety can have many causes:

•High expectations and pressure to succeed

•Watching the news

•School safety drills and lockdowns

•Interactions on social media 

Three kinds of anxiety disorder are common among teenagers:

•Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): The person is excessively worried about many things that cannot be controlled. GAD is typically diagnosed when a person cannot control their worry for a number of consecutive days.

•Panic attack disorder: People with panic attack disorder have sudden and repeated attacks of unreasonable fear that last several minutes or longer. During a panic attack, the person has a fear of disaster or of losing control when there is no real danger.

•Social anxiety disorder: This condition is a chronic form of irrational anxiety related to social interactions. The individual may have a fear of being judged or may worry about embarrassment or humiliation.

People with anxiety disorders often avoid talking about their problems. They feel that other people would not understand. Scientists are still unsure of the causes of anxiety disorders. However, there are treatments and coping mechanisms that can help a teen living with anxiety:

•Counselling sessions can help a teen understand why they are feeling anxiety

•Breathing techniques can help ground a person and bring them back to the present

•Eating well-balanced meals can improve general health

•Getting enough sleep allows body and mind to rest

•Taking a break from a stressful situation can allow the person to relax

•Talking about symptoms may destigmatize anxiety

•Avoiding or limiting alcohol and caffeine may help to prevent anxiety

Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.

More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness and you can’t simply “snap out” of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don’t get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both. Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders. An estimated 3.2 million young adults have had at least one depressive episode, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). A major depressive episode is a period of at least 2 weeks where the person had a depressed mood along with most of the following symptoms:

• Loss of appetite
• Problems in sleeping
• A loss of interest in daily activities
• Lack of self-worth
• Trouble in concentrating

Studies from Harvard have shown that there are many possible causes of depression, including:

• Faulty mood regulation by the brain
• Genetics
• Stressful life events
• Medications
• And medical problems

Depression can be hard to treat, as it can severely affect energy levels and mood. However, there are many treatments and coping mechanisms that are proven to be helpful, like:

• Staying connected with friends and family
• Participating in activities that are enjoyable
• Moving or being active
• Talking with a mental health professional
• Walking in nature
• Challenging negative thoughts

Substance use disorder 

In 2017, 9% of high school students admitted that they smoked at least one cigarette a day. The same study also stated that 30% of high schoolers reported they had had at least one drink within the past 30 days. Unhealthy patterns of substance use can include using illegal substances or using legal substances in harmful ways (e.g., too much or too often). The substances most commonly used among teenagers include the following:

•Alcohol

•Prescription drugs

•Tobacco

•Illegal drugs including marijuana

Substance use disorder can have major effects on a teen’s body and brain, such as:

•Affecting growth and development;

•Initiating other risky behaviour, like drunk driving;

•Contributing to problems later in life, like heart disease or high blood pressure.

Teens hide their substance use from their parents and paediatricians. This makes substance use hard to diagnose and harder to treat. Teens experiment with drugs mostly in social settings, when their parents are not watching. However, parents can often notice signs that could suggest a possible substance use disorder:

•Difficulties at school and declining grades

•Poor performance

•Changes in physical appearance

•Altered behaviour, such as an increased desire for privacy

•Drastic changes in relationships

•A lack of energy during daily activities

•Spending more money than usual or requesting to borrow money

•Changes in appetite

•Bloodshot eyes, poor skin tone, and appearing tired

•Defensiveness when asked about substance use

If you or your teen is suffering from substance, use disorder, it is important to contact a doctor to discuss rehabilitative treatment options.

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