Based on statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health, 31.9% of teens have an anxiety disorder.
Teens may struggle with OCD, PTSD, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, or other conditions that make it hard to focus and function.
Anxiety disorders also go hand-in-hand with other mental health struggles. 4.1 million teens have had at least one major depressive episode.
The young adult mental health crisis may seem impossible to combat, and parents may despair if their teens are part of these statistics. Read on to learn the major signs of depression and anxiety in teens and how to help them combat them.
Signs of Anxiety and Depression in Teens
There are many reasons for the link between teens and anxiety and depression. They deal with hormonal changes, difficulties at school, and other triggers for these mental health struggles every day.
If you want to help, you need to look for signals that tell you when typical teenage angst develops into a full-blown mental health condition.
Signs of depression in teens include:
- Withdrawal
- Anhedonia or a lack of interest in activities
- Mood changes
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Decreased energy
- Changing sleep patterns
Many of these also serve as signs of anxiety, and the conditions tend to occur together. Both may cause changes in mood or behavior and trouble sleeping.
What makes anxiety different is that it creates a general sense of unease. Your teen may have seemingly unreasonable fears or reactions to minor stressors.
Helping Teens Overcome Anxiety and Depression
At least 20% of Americans use some form of therapy. It’s one of the most common treatment methods for any mental health condition. There are several types, and it’s important to find the best one for your teen.
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, involves speaking with a qualified professional about your psychological distress. They’ll help you determine what’s causing it and offer strategies to help overcome it.
There are several forms of talk therapy, including:
- CBD or cognitive behavioral therapy
- Behavioral
- Humanistic
- Psychodynamic
- Holistic
Therapy for teens has several benefits. It gives them permanent methods to deal with their struggles and can even relieve physical symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, and heart problems.
Counseling for teens is an effective treatment method, but it’s not always enough. They may also need medications such as SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Parents should enact simple changes to improve their teen’s mental health.
Give them a routine to make them feel less overwhelmed. Make sure it includes exercise to give them the benefits of movement.
The most important thing is to speak to them about their struggles. Ask open-ended questions about how they’re feeling and try not to judge their reactions.
Where to Find Help
Levels of anxiety and depression in teens are higher than ever. They feel powerless to find relief, and so do their families.
The truth is that there are plenty of ways for parents to help a teen overcome mental health issues.
It starts with noticing the signs. The next step is to seek out treatments such as therapy and medication. The most important part is speaking to them openly about their feelings.
Honor Your Emotions offers therapy for every age group. Contact us for a free 15-minute consultation today.
Honor Your Emotions is a therapy practice in Dublin, CA serving the East Bay Area including Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore and Danville.
Call (925) 577-4732 today for a free consultation!
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