Mental illness affects people of every age group, but it seems to be a growing problem especially for teens. There are several unique conditions that can affect teenagers and parents should be able to identify the signs of the most common conditions, so they can efficiently help their children.
Anxiety:
While most teens feel a certain amount of anxiety, it becomes a problem when the teen experiences long-lasting bouts of anxiety. Additionally, feelings of anxiety may worsen with time. The teen may feel severe uneasiness, may worry more than normal, and may experience frequent feelings of fear or dread. Approximately 32% of teens between the ages of 13 and 18 develop anxiety disorders. By taking your child to a doctor for teens, you can discover what type of anxiety disorder is affecting your son or daughter. In addition to general anxiety, possible conditions include PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), social anxiety disorder, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), and phobias.
Depression:
Another common mental illness to affect teenagers is depression and, among 12 to 17-year-olds, it affects up to 13% of teenagers. Depression can become severe enough to invade the individual’s daily thoughts and affect their feelings. If it worsens, it can affect the individual’s ability to eat, work, and sleep. Seasonal affective disorder is one type of depression. Additionally, depressive disorder and postpartum depression can also affect certain teens.
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD):
Approximately 9% of teenagers from the ages of 13 through 18 are affected by ADHD. The condition causes issues that may seem like behavioral problems, such as an inability to pay attention or of hyperactive nature. They may have difficulty controlling impulses as well. The condition can become severe enough to inhibit the teen’s development and may affect their ability to function.
Eating Disorders:
There are a number of eating disorders that are common among teens, including anorexia (eating too little) and bulimia (binge eating followed by vomiting). Eating disorders affect as many as 3% of 13 to 18-year-olds. Although classified as a mental illness, these conditions can also cause extensive physical harm. For this reason, if you suspect your teenager suffers from an eating disorder, it’s important to seek out a doctor for teens near you as soon as possible.
In many cases, teens suffer from a mental illness develop what’s called a co-occurring disorder, which simply means that they have a substance abuse problem on top of the pre-existing mental illness. Alternatively, the individual may suffer from two or more mental illnesses simultaneously. While these situations create a more complex medical problem, the best thing you can do for your son or daughter is to make an appointment with a pediatrician in Lubbock. Together, you can determine the best course of treatment, which may include therapy, medication, or a more integrated approach.
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