Adolescence is a critical period when health behaviors and habits are established that influence mental well-being throughout adulthood. Learn about health risks like substance use, violence and higher risk sexual behaviors that lead to HIV and STDs.
National trends indicate that the mental health of adolescents and teens has been getting worse for over a decade. Find out what you can do to help.
Depression
Depression affects people of all ages, but it’s especially common in teenagers. Teens can feel down or “blue” after things like arguments with friends or family members, exams or moving house but if these feelings are persistent and interfere with everyday life, they may be experiencing depression.
Depression can lead to a variety of problems including trouble performing at school, social withdrawal and increased risk-taking behaviours. This can increase the risk of suicide, which is a major concern for teenagers.
Encourage young people to talk about how they’re feeling with someone they trust, like a parent, teacher, school counsellor or friend. They can also visit Kids Helpline or headspace for support. They can also speak to a crisis support worker by texting Lifeline on 13 11 14. Black Dog Institute has digital tools & apps for mental health and wellbeing.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects people of all ages. But teens have unique challenges when it comes to identifying and treating anxiety disorders.
Symptoms of anxiety are often confused with symptoms of other conditions. For example, the explosive outbursts associated with anxiety can look like symptoms of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder or bipolar disorder. And the argumentative and avoidance behavior used to facilitate anxiety-provoking situations can appear like oppositional defiant disorder.
In addition, fear is a normal developmental process and can be difficult to distinguish from anxiety symptoms. However, recognizing a pattern of hypervigilance, reactivity to change or novel stimuli, sensitivity to threat, avoidant coping, somatic complaints and parental overaccommodation can be helpful clues that anxiety is the underlying issue.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
People with ADHD have trouble paying attention, staying organized and acting appropriately in social situations. They may be more likely to have problems with friendships or even be bullied by peers, often because they don’t pick up on social cues. They may have trouble with work or other activities and are at higher risk of car accidents, substance abuse and poor school performance.
A doctor can diagnose ADHD by asking questions and reviewing a person’s history. They can also use standardized tools like checklists or questionnaires that have ratings for the most common symptoms of ADHD. Common medicines include stimulants such as dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate and non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, clonidine and guanfacine.
Therapy can help children and teens learn better ways to cope with their ADHD symptoms, such as by improving their listening skills or learning how to stay focused. Therapy can also teach parents how to support their child and improve their family dynamics.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that causes severe, unwanted and repetitive thoughts or impulses (obsessions) that trigger the person to perform rituals or behaviors (compulsions) in an attempt to control them. Examples of compulsions include excessive hand washing or flipping a light switch a certain number of times. These obsessions and compulsions are time consuming, cause distress or anxiety, and interfere with day-to-day functioning.
Families often have difficulty recognizing the severity of their child or teen’s symptoms, and they may “give in” to their loved one’s demands to avoid distress, known as accommodation. This can have a negative impact on their functioning, social relationships and quality of life. This disorder is best treated with psychotherapy, such as cognitive behaviour therapy and medication.
Trauma
Trauma is an emotional reaction to a frightening or upsetting event, including natural disasters, violent acts of violence, sexual assault, childhood abuse, the death of a loved one, war, or any situation that threatens life or safety. It can affect the way people feel, think, and behave and may cause problems with their relationships, work, school, physical health and the appearance of psychiatric symptoms.
Trauma can also make it hard to talk about the experiences that caused it, and you might find yourself avoiding places or activities that remind you of it. These responses can cause distress and lead to other mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, substance abuse or trauma-related disorders. This is known as toxic stress. Symptoms can be mild or severe.