Mental health is common with children and teens as it is common with adults, and the experiences are same, yet, many children and teens go undiagnosed and untreated.
One minute, there were kids and the next minutes they are teens and then adults. Kids and teen are constantly growing and hormones are changing. From one energetic toddler to a teen that sleep till noon. Mental health illness can have huge impact on teen’s development.
Mental health illnesses, if not treated early, can disrupt a teen normal development which can affect them for the rest of their lives. Some common mental illnesses that affect children and teens include;
1).DEPRESSION AS A COMMON MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN TEENS
Depression can show up during teenage years and can affect a child or teen’s attitudes and emotions, making them feel unusually sad, crying, or irritated for more than two weeks at a time. The good thing is that depression is usually quite treatable. Sometimes therapy alone is helpful, and sometimes a combination of therapy and medication can offer the best symptom relief. But if left untreated, depression can get worse.
2). ANIXETY AS A COMMON MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN TEENS
Anxiety is very a common mental health illness that affects children and teens. Anxiety disorders can cause teens to be extremely afraid of, worry a lot, and fearful things or situations that it affects with daily life. It can also affect with a teen’s ability to go out with friends, education, relationship, etc. Talk therapy is usually the preferred form of treatment for anxiety. Teens may benefit from learning skills to manage their symptoms and face their fears.
3). ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVE DISORDER AS A COMMON MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN TEENS
ADHD makes it difficult for children and teen to focus their attention. Symptoms of ADHD may become obvious by age 4 but sometimes those symptoms don’t become problematic until the teen years. Teens may experience academic problems when the work is difficult or during high school years. Some teen with this mental health illness may struggle to complete a project, lack focus, and get easily distracted. ADHD is frequently treated with both therapy and medication. Also, parent training may also be part of treatment to help the family manage symptoms in the home.
4). OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER AS A COMMON MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN TEENS
Oppositional defiant disorder leads to a teens being verbal and physical aggressive to people and sometimes could be destructive. Teen with ODD tend to struggle to maintain healthy relationships and often their behavior interferes with their education. Treatment for ODD may include parent training programs and therapy.
5). EATING DISORDER AS A COMMON MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN TEENS
Eating disorders can take a serious toll on a teen’s physical health. Eating disorders involve a distorted body image along with really harmful behaviours to manage food and weight, making it difficult to nourish oneself properly. Treatment often requires both physical health monitoring and intensive therapy.
Nonetheless, there are other mental health illnesses that are not on this list. If you observe any of this problem in your child or teen reach out and seek professional help.
Emem Iniobong, CCC-Q is a Canadian Certified Counsellor in Brandon, Manitoba. She specializes in working with children and adolescents through various mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Passionate about helping children and teens find their unique strengths, she develop skills so they can overcome whatever challenges they face and bravely navigate the world around them. Emem owns Bliss Counselling and Wellness Centre whose mission is to help you find your bliss and live confidently.
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