Table of Contents
Teenagers are in a sensitive stage of development, facing many changes both socially and biologically. Teens also go through several challenges that can cause stress and increase the risk of developing mental health problems.
Today’s teens are growing up in a fast-paced digital world where social media, technology, violent content and hypersexuality play a big role in teen culture. This can lower their self-esteem, increasing the risk of depression or anxiety.
Understanding the common issues faced by teens and how it affects their lives can help parents better support them.
Common Teen Issues
Sometimes adults think teens have nothing to worry about, however they face many challenges that can increase their stress levels and the risk of mental health problems. It’s important for parents to be mindful of these to provide intervention and support.
Academic Pressure
Teens have cited academic pressure as the number one trigger of their anxiety. School is a large part of the lives of teens’ and having an effective education system with mental health services can help with the extra academic pressure they face. Keeping up with homework, studying for exams, the pressure to get good grades and preparing for college are all some of the factors that impact teen mental health and academics.
Changes in The Brain
Teens are still going through puberty and being hit with several changes in the brain and body. Parts of the brain that control emotional regulation, stress tolerance, impulsivity and motivation are still growing. This can make teens more vulnerable to stress, anxiety and other mental health issues. Brain regions that control pleasure and reward mature faster than parts that control logic and decision-making. This may explain why teens are more impulsive or participate in reckless behaviors.
Substance Abuse
Teens are at a higher risk of taking drugs or alcohol. This can be caused by peer pressure, a way to cope or simple teen curiosity. Alcohol is by far the most common substance teens use. This can be due to its availability and portrayal in the media. While it is normal for teens to experiment with a drink or two in their teenage years, ongoing drinking or binge drinking can be debilitating to their health. The risks of developing an alcohol abuse disorder is also associated with drinking at an earlier age. Research shows about 5 million teens in the US report drinking alcohol.
Puberty and Hormones
As teens go through puberty and hormonal fluctuations, they will begin to develop changes in the body and their physical features. This can be overwhelming and sometimes cause them to be more self-aware. Normal parts of teenage development include developing acne, body hair, breasts, facial hair and body odor. Although these are typical for teens, they can cause some to be uncomfortable or insecure. Increased hormones can also make teens more moody, aggressive or depressed.
Uncertainty of the Future
Teens today face higher rates of economic, political and climate instability. With growing threats of climate change, and economic problems it’s normal for teens to have higher rates of anxiety about their future.
Isolation
Teens are one of the most isolated demographics. Society often caters to children or adults, but not the transitional age in between. Teens may lack community spaces to meet others their own age. For teens who struggle with mental health problems these feelings of isolation increase even further. The pandemic has made this problem worse by increasing remote learning, taking many teens out of school.
Low Self-Esteem
Teens tend to struggle with negative self-esteem more than other age demographics. This can be from hormonal and physical changes that cause them to become more self-aware of their bodies. Teens are also more influenced by the media and what they see online, which can play a large role in their self-esteem.
Social Media
Social media plays a large role in the lives of today’s teens with 95% of teens reporting they use it. While it can be helpful to connect with others, learn new information and express themselves creatively, it can also negatively impact their mental health. If their feeds are filled with influencers, models or edited photos this can damage their self-esteem and set unrealistic expectations for how their own lives should look. It’s important for parents to remind their teens social media only shows a small glimpse into someone’s life.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you identify warning signs of mental health problems in your teen, reach out for professional support to help find the best plan of treatment. At Clearfork Academy our team of compassionate, licensed therapists understands the complex nature of teenage mental health disorders. Reach out to our Admissions team to learn more.
Sources
Statistics on Underage Drinking. 2023 National Survey on Drug Use & Drinking. Responsibility.Org.
Mike grew up on a dairy farm in Parker County, Texas. At the age of 59, he went back to college and graduated 41 years after his first graduation from Weatherford College. God placed on his heart at that time the passion to begin to help others as they walked from addictions, alcoholism, and abuse of substances. He is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and in the past few years he has worn many hats, from intake and assessment, group counseling, individual and family counseling, intensive outpatient and now he is working with clients, therapist, and families on discharge planning and aftercare. He also coordinates our Alumni Outreach Program.
