The physical, emotional, and cognitive development during adolescence is usually the most significant any of us will experience. While some teens and adolescents may live through these years with little or slight impact, many others experience substantial mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders. Early identification can allow for timely support and interventions, which gives teens and adolescents a better chance of long-term wellness. This blog post will identify some of the more common mental health disorders in adolescence and their symptoms.
Anxiety Disorders
The most common mental health disorders in adolescence are anxiety disorders. Data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) showed that 31.9% of adolescents aged 13 to 18 had “any anxiety disorder” in the past year. “Any anxiety disorder” encompasses several disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia (the fear of public places), social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The prevalence of anxiety disorders in the NIMH study was higher in females (38%) than males (26%).
While this is not an exhaustive list, some common signs and symptoms of anxiety include:
- Excessive worrying about everyday things
- Trouble falling asleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of restlessness and trouble relaxing
- Awareness of a person that they are worrying more than they should
- Difficulty swallowing
- Feelings of irritability
- Excessive worry around performance in school, sports, or other activities
- Excessive worry about war, natural disasters, and catastrophic events
- Excessive worry about the health of family members
Depression
In 2021, more than 1 in 5 adolescents (20.1%) aged 12 to 17 had a major depressive episode. The National Institute of Mental Health defines a major depressive episode as “a period of at least two weeks when a person experienced a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities, and had a majority of specified symptoms, such as problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration, or self-worth.” The prevalence of major depressive episodes was again greater in females (29.2%) than males (11.5%).
Some common signs and symptoms of depression include:
- Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- Physical aches and pains, such as headaches or digestive problems
- Thoughts of suicide
Eating Disorders
The NIMH also conducted a three-year study on the prevalence of eating disorders among adolescents, which included anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. This study included adolescents aged 13 to 18. They found the “lifetime prevalence,” or the proportion of the population that experienced it, was 2.7%. Eating disorders occurred in females (3.8%) more than twice as often as males (1.5%).
Some common symptoms of anorexia nervosa include:
- Extremely restricted eating
- Intense and excessive exercise
- A relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a healthy weight
- Distorted body image or self-image
Some common symptoms of bulimia nervosa include:
- Throwing up or fasting
- Taking laxatives
- Exercising excessively
Some common symptoms of binge eating disorder include:
- Eating unusually large amounts of food in a short amount of time
- Eating rapidly during binge episodes
- Eating alone or in secret
- Feeling distressed, ashamed, or guilty about eating
Early Intervention for Common Mental Health Disorders in Adolescence
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of any of these mental health disorders can be a critical step in helping teens and adolescents overcome them. Left untreated, many of these mental health disorders can lead to physical health issues, emotional distress, social withdrawal, and worse. If possible, try to create safe spaces to have open conversations with the adolescents in your life, and when necessary, seek professional help for additional support.
Willow Hills Wellness Can Help
Watching your teen or adolescent struggle with a mental health disorder can be overwhelming and heartbreaking. It may be one of the most difficult experiences a parent will endure. Our team of licensed therapists, counselors, and medical staff have extensive experience working with adolescents and teens. We have created treatment options that are comprehensive and highly personalized, delivered in a nurturing and supportive environment. If your family is looking for answers and you think your adolescent might benefit from professional help, we hope you will contact us today to discuss what treatment could look like. Together, we can give your child the bright future they deserve.
