Learn how to identify anxiety and depression in teens and support their mental health with strategies for open conversation, healthy habits, and professional help.
“The challenges today’s generation of young people face are unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate. And the effect these challenges have had on their mental health is devastating.” Dr. Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General
Key Concepts:
● Anxiety is more than just feeling worried. It's a normal human emotion that becomes a disorder when it's excessive, persistent, and interferes with daily life. For teens, this might look like extreme fear of social situations, panic attacks, or obsessive thoughts.
● Depression isn't just feeling sad. It's a serious mood disorder that affects how a teen thinks, feels, and acts. It can cause persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed, changes in sleep or appetite, and even thoughts of self-harm.
● Research shows that anxiety disorders and depression are the most common mental health concerns in adolescents. 49.5 percent of teens in the US have been diagnosed or struggled with a mental health concern in their lifetime. Things were bad before the pandemic, but since, a mental health emergency has been declared by both the US Surgeon General and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
● Female adolescents are more than twice as likely as their male peers to report feelings of anxiety and depression. Rates are even higher among LGBTQ+ adolescents, with 43% reporting anxiety symptoms and 37% reporting depression symptoms.
● Teens face unique challenges that can make them more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. These include biological, psychological, social and environmental factors. More specifically, hormonal changes and brain development play a role.
● Distinguishing between routine stress and a larger mental health concern is an important role parents can play.
● Early identification of anxiety and/or depression is important for getting children appropriate assistance. The signs of anxiety and depression in adolescents can be subtle and vary from person to person. There are, however, some common emotional, physical and behavioral symptoms of both anxiety and depression.
What to do:
● What feels like “drama” to you, is real for your tween or teen. Though you have the benefit of context, and a long life that proves “it could be worse,” your child does not. Whenever possible, don’t dismiss their real feelings, and don’t judge.
● Start the conversation. Let your teen know you're concerned and you're there to listen without judgment. Be a good listener, give them space to share when they are ready, and help create an open and curious atmosphere in conversation.
● Make sure you don’t contribute pressure. Asking constantly about stressors can compound the problem for your child. Instead of bringing your own stress and anxiety to the party and reflecting it in your questions and topics of conversation, try asking low-stakes questions, spending time talking about other subjects, and connecting with your child outside of stressful situations.
● Seek professional help if needed. A therapist can provide diagnosis, treatment, and coping skills. Don't hesitate to reach out to your child's school counselor or pediatrician for referrals.
● Encourage healthy habits. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep can have a positive impact on mental health.
● Consider the risks and benefits of medication use in conjunction with therapy and lifestyle changes.