SOCIAL ANXIETY
Social Anxiety Disorder is defined as fear or anxiety concerning social situations as well as feeling judgment by others. This negatively impacts a persons functioning. While each individual is different, social anxiety disorder may be more noticeable in kids and/or teenagers that are between the ages of eight and fifteen. Social anxiety among teenagers may negatively impact their social high school experience and/or prevent them from interacting with their peers. One major symptom that an individual with social anxiety may experience is anticipating an event weeks before that event is set to occur. This can lead to further stress and contemplating over what one is to expect while at the event. It is important to understand that social anxiety occurs in kids, teenagers, and adults. This disorder can happen in many different circumstances, so it is good to be aware that a number of individuals may be experiencing social anxiety.
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
Major Depressive Disorder (commonly known as Depression or MDD), appears when an individual is experiencing frequent or daily low mood. Depression can also cause someone to be less interested in preferred activities. Some symptoms of this disorder include a change in sleep, appetite, and/or energy levels. While major depressive disorder can occur at any age, kids and/or teenagers that are experiencing puberty may be more subject to this disorder. An individual with underlying personality or anxiety disorders may also be more likely to experience Depression. If a teenager is undergoing a physical or mental change, this may lead to depressive symptoms. Major depressive disorder, like social anxiety, can halt a student or teenager from wanting to involve themselves in group or peer activities. This disorder can be common among teenagers due to life changes and stressors. The severity of Depression can range from person to person.
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)
ADHD can defined as difficult within inattention and hyperactivity. An individual can be diagnosed with one or both categories. If one has been diagnosed with predominately inattentive type ADHD, that person may fail to give close attention to details or make careless mistakes in schoolwork. They may also have difficult sustaining attention in everyday/in class tasks. On the contrary, one diagnosed with predominately hyperactive/impulsive type ADHD, may constantly fidget or always be on the go. Predominately hyperactive/impulsive ADHD may cause an individual to be unable to participate in activities quietly. Although these are just some of the symptoms that are involved in ADHD, there are certainly others that may interrupt the success of a student. Staying concentrated in class can be challenging to students with ADHD. It is important for parents and teachers to look out for signs of ADHD within a kid or teenager. ADHD is most usually diagnosed prior to the age of 12. However, ADHD can be diagnosed after age 12 with a specifier of late onset. It should be noted that in the United States the estimated prevalence of diagnosed ADHD in kids and young adults increased from 6.1% in 1997 to 10.2% in 2016. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder impact a students life and it is important to understand symptoms and treatments.
ANOREXIA/BULIMIA NERVOSA
While there are different types of eating disorders, data has shown that anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the most prevalent among young adults as well as younger teenagers. It is important to note the differences between the two eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa consists of an individual who fears gaining weight and continuously attempts to become thinner even though they are underweight. This person may begin to restrict themselves of certain food intake which leads to low body weight. It should be known that this disorder has the highest mortality psychiatric illness with a mortality rate of 10%. Although Anorexia nervosa mostly affects females, men can also be affected by this illness. While some cases of anorexia nervosa experience a recovery after a single episode, others experience a chronic course over many years. Prior symptoms of anxiety and obsession can trigger anorexia nervosa as well as stressful life events.
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by episodes of binge eating, compensatory behaviors, and self-evaluation that is influenced by body shape and weight. Compensatory behaviors can include purging, use of laxatives/diuretics, and/or excessive exercise in fear of gaining weight. This mental illness most commonly affects young adults and may begin with an episode of dieting in order to lose weight. Unlike anorexia nervosa, individuals with bulimia nervosa are not severely underweight. The eating disorders described above can also initiate depressive episodes resulting from lack of self-esteem. These eating disorders can distract students from school social activities due to the obsessive preoccupation with one's body image. This struggle can be detrimental to any teenager and is a sensitive topic for some.
GENDER DYSPHORIA
Gender Dysphoria refers to an individual under physiological distress. This distress is caused by the inconsistence between one's biological sex and one's gender. Commonly, gender dysphoria begins during childhood, but can be experienced during puberty or later. Gender dysphoria is associated with a desire to be of a different gender. In today's world, there is a wide spectrum of genders. The mismatch between one's biological sex and gender identity may lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Gender dysphoria can also cause an impairment or distress in social, occupational, or other functioning areas. It is important to be supportive of students with gender dysphoria and/or those that are transitioning throughout high school. Students with gender dysphoria may feel nervous about the feelings they are having and have difficulty in social situations.
ADJUSTMENT DISORDER
Adjustment disorder is an out of proportion reaction to a stressor. Emotional and behavioral symptoms may occur in response to an identifiable stressor. Adjustment disorder can affect the success of a students social, occupational, and/or academic life. Adjustment disorders have specifiers which include depressed mood, anxiety, mixed anxiety and depressed mood, disturbance of conduct, and disturbance of emotions and conduct. If one is experiencing distress that is out of proportion to the intensity of the stressor that is occurring within three months, adjustment disorder can be diagnosed. There are also external factors and cultural situations that may affect the severity of adjustment disorder. It may be difficult for a student to succeed and concentrate on schoolwork as that individual may be experiencing a difficult situation outside of school.
What health issues do teens struggle with most?
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WHY IS THIS INFORMATION IMPORTANT?
Staying informed about mental health illnesses is important for all people, no matter age, gender, or life situation. We are living in a changing world and keeping up-to-date with new and evolving mental health information is important and imperative for future generations. Sometimes schoolwork and social lives cause stress or anxiety and by staying informed, we can lighten that stress. By raising awareness for different types of mental health issues, people can be informed, thus continuing to decline the stigma of mental health disorders. I hope that I am able to share some helpful information to keep others and myself up to date on important mental health issues. For myself as well as many others it can be difficult to accept and understand mental health issues, but it is essential to help those around us and push past our fears.