Adolescent mental health issues have been on the rise since the pandemic, with more cases diagnosed regularly. At Pediatric Associates, we believe that physical health and mental health are equally important. Learn the warning signs of mental disorders and when to seek help if your child or teen is struggling.
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Adolescent mental health is a global crisis
Adolescence is a unique and formative time that comes with many challenges. According to the World Health Organization, one of every seven 10 to 19-year-olds experiences some type of mental disorder. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental disorders affecting this age group.
The consequences of not addressing adolescent mental health issues often extend to adulthood, limiting their ability to lead fulfilling lives as adults. Thankfully, there are many treatment options available that can help children and teens – and their families – cope with mental health concerns and protect their futures.
What is adolescent psychology?
Adolescent psychology is the study of the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social changes that occur during the teenage years. As their brains mature, children at this age seek increased independence and search for their identity. At the same time, they experience emotional volatility and engage in more risk-taking behaviors. Their friends become a major influence as they seek to fit in and solidify their place in the world.
The combination of these brain changes and developmental pressures can lead to issues like:
Poor decision-making
Body image issues
Relationship conflicts
Problems at school
And of course, they often lead to increased anxiety and depression. Let’s take a closer look at these mental health conditions and others that impact this vulnerable age group.
Common mental disorders that affect adolescents
The most common mental disorders in adolescents are anxiety, mood, attention, and behavior disorders.
Anxiety
Feeling anxious is a normal response to stress – but for some, these feelings become more persistent and intense over time. Anxiety can happen to anyone and is characterized by excessive worry, fear, and nervousness that interfere with your daily life.
When your child is younger, they may worry about things like the dark, monsters, and something bad happening to Mom or Dad. Teens, on the other hand, are more likely to be worried about themselves – their performance at school or in sports, their bodies, and what others think or say about them.
As these feelings get worse and happen more frequently, your child or teen may experience both physical and emotional symptoms, such as:
Excessive worry, especially at school or in social situations
Irritability, anger, or frustration
Difficulty concentrating
Avoiding people or activities they once enjoyed
Frequent crying
Feeling tense or fidgety
Sleep disturbances
Headaches
Stomach aches
Changes in appetite
Intense fear of weight gain or concern about appearance
Some children show signs of anxiety for years, while other children who were never anxious before suddenly start becoming anxious as teens. Teens especially may begin using alcohol and/or drugs to feel less anxious, which provides temporary relief but can lead to dependence on these substances. As children and teens with anxiety cope with their symptoms, it can lead to depression as well.
Depression
Like adults, depression plays a significant role in child and teen mental health. Your child or teen may feel sad for a period of time, perhaps after getting a bad grade or having a falling-out with a friend – but after a while, they begin to feel better again. Depression is different.
Depression in children and teens is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Issues such as peer pressure, puberty, and academic expectations can cause a lot of emotional ups and downs, especially for teens. But for some, the lows are more than just temporary feelings. They are symptoms of a mental health condition that requires professional care.
Common signs of depression in teens and adolescents include:
Feeling sad or hopeless
Crying spells
Irritability, anger, or frustration
Social isolation
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
Low self-esteem
Loss of energy
Less attention to personal hygiene or appearance
Sleeping too much or too little
Changes in appetite
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
If your child or teen has symptoms of depression that last two weeks or longer, contact their pediatrician or primary care provider.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is a lifelong disorder that affects millions of children and teens. Teachers are usually the first to identify ADHD symptoms, as school and other learning environments can be especially challenging for children and teens who have the disorder. Common ADHD symptoms include:
Difficulty paying attention
Difficulty sitting still
Being easily distracted
Losing track of conversations
Struggling to wait
Interrupting others
Impulsive decisions or behaviors
Acting impulsive
Many of these sound like typical adolescent behavior, but an important difference is the frequency and severity of these symptoms, especially if they occur at home and in public as well. ADHD evaluations are available at most Pediatric Associates locations.
Schizophrenia
While schizophrenia is more common in adulthood, childhood schizophrenia symptoms can begin before the age of 13. Childhood schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that can cause a mix of symptoms, from hallucinations to social withdrawal. These symptoms are often classified as positive or negative.
Examples of positive vs. negative symptoms of schizophrenia include:
Positive symptoms – Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), delusions (false beliefs not based on reality), and disorganized thinking
Negative symptoms – Flat affect (lack of emotional expression), withdrawal from social interactions, apathy, and difficulty concentrating
Adolescents with childhood schizophrenia may also have difficulty with memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Although there is no cure for this medical condition, early diagnosis and treatment are key to improving the child’s quality of life.
Available treatment options
Seeking treatment is one of the best things you can do if you suspect that your child or teen has a mental disorder. Mental health is a priority, and there is no stigma or shame in getting help.
Mental health treatment for adolescents often uses a combination of approaches tailored specifically to the child or teen’s needs, such as:
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a goal-oriented talk therapy that helps children and teens identify the unhealthy thoughts and behaviors that are contributing to their troubles and adopt positive thoughts and behaviors in their place.
Family therapy
Family therapy is another kind of talk therapy that involves the child or teen and their family members. Together, they address mental health issues within the context of the family system, working to identify unhealthy dynamics, resolve conflicts, and improve communication.
Group therapy
Group therapy provides a supportive environment where adolescents can discuss specific issues like anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-esteem with others who are facing similar challenges.
Interpersonal therapy
Interpersonal therapy focuses on how the child or teen’s relationships affect their mental health, particularly depression. By identifying interpersonal problem areas and learning how to resolve them, they can improve their emotional awareness and social functioning.
Medication
Using medication to help with mental disorders is becoming more common. Many children and teens now take medication for anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other mental health conditions, often in combination with some form of therapy.
Finding the right medication and determining how much an adolescent should take requires specialized expertise. Parents should notify their child or teen’s provider immediately if there are any signs of an allergy or adverse side effects. If the child or teen shows only partial improvement, contact your provider as well. The medication is likely a good choice, but a higher dose may be necessary.
Types of mental health medications include:
Antidepressants – SSRIs like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro), SNRIs like venlafaxine (Effexor), and NDRIs like bupropion (Wellbutrin) are used to treat depression and anxiety.
Anti-anxiety medications – While SSRIs are preferred for long-term anxiety, benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax) can help treat severe short-term symptoms.
ADHD medications – Stimulants like dextroamphetamine (Adderall/Vyvanse) and methylphenidate (Ritalin/Concerta) and non-stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera) and guanfacine (Intuniv) can improve attention and focus.
Mood stabilizers – Mood stabilizers like lithium (Eskalith) and valproic acid (Depakote) may be prescribed for significant mood swings and impulse control issues.
Antipsychotic medications – Aripiprazole (Abilify) and risperidone (Risperdal) can help manage schizophrenia symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.
Lifestyle changes
A balanced diet, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep are also beneficial to your mental health at any age.
The importance of early screenings
At Pediatric Associates, we place a special focus on behavioral health, which combines mental health with diet, exercise, sleeping habits, and other factors that contribute to your child’s overall health and well-being.
Behavioral health screenings are an important part of well visits at Pediatric Associates for all adolescents. These screenings are integrated into routine check-ups at an early age, so we can identify potential issues like anxiety and depression as soon as possible.
During well visits, your pediatrician will also observe your child’s behavior and how they interact with others, including eye contact and body language. We may ask you or your child to fill out a mental health questionnaire. Your pediatrician will also ask carefully crafted open-ended questions that help assess your child’s well-being.
If your child needs specialty care, we can connect you with trusted mental health providers in your community. You can also visit with behavioral health consultants and licensed clinical social workers at select Pediatric Associates locations. Ask your pediatrician to learn more.
Other resources
988 Lifeline – A free, confidential, 24/7 hotline for anyone facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, or suicidal thoughts
Brightline – An app that provides virtual mental and behavioral health support for children, teens, parents, and caregivers (including live video visits and coaching sessions)
Live Beyond – Learn how to overcome adverse childhood experiences that cause lasting trauma and stress
Soluna – A free, confidential well-being app for teens and young adults that provides one-on-one peer and professional support
Teen Line – Anonymous peer-to-peer support from highly trained teens supervised by adult mental health professionals
Teen Line for Parents and Caregivers – Information and resources to help understand and support your teen’s mental health
