Anxiety is a normal and
often healthy emotion. However, when a person regularly feels disproportionate
levels of anxiety, it might become a medical disorder. Anxiety disorders
form a category of mental health diagnoses that lead to
excessive nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worry. These disorders alter how
a person processes emotions and behave, also causing physical symptoms. Mild
anxiety might be vague and unsettling, while severe anxiety may seriously
affect day-to-day living.
Signs of anxiety can include:
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Recurring
fears and worries about routine parts of everyday life
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Changes
in behavior, such as irritability
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Avoiding
activities, school, or social interactions
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Dropping
grades or school avoidance
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Trouble
sleeping or concentrating
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Substance
use or other risky behaviors
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Chronic
physical complaints, such as fatigue, headaches, or stomachaches.
What can parents,
teachers, and anyone else who interacts with children and teens do?
Talk with kids about potential stressors: Try to see the world the way they do—and help them to keep perspective and find ways to cope.
Be mindful of the expectations you set for children and teens: High expectations can help children reach their potential, but they need to be realistic ones. Not only that, remember that kids need time to relax, play, and be with friends—all of which are crucial for their mental and physical health.
Talk with kids about their social media use: Help them take breaks—and help them think critically and rationally about the effect of social media on their lives.
Teen depression is a serious mental health problem that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how your teenager thinks, feels and behaves, and it can cause emotional, functional and physical problems. Teen depression isn't a weakness or something that can be overcome with willpower — it can have serious consequences and requires long-term treatment. For most teens, depression symptoms ease with treatment such as medication and psychological counseling.
Symptoms
Teen depression signs and symptoms include a change from the teenager's previous attitude and behavior that can cause significant distress and problems at school or home, in social activities, or in other areas of life. Depression symptoms can vary in severity, but changes in your teen's emotions and behavior may include the examples below.
Emotional
changes
Be alert for emotional changes, such as
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Feelings of sadness, which can include crying spells for no
apparent reason
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Frustration or feelings of anger, even over small matters
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Feeling hopeless or empty
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Irritable or annoyed mood
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Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
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Loss of interest in, or conflict with, family and friends
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Low self-esteem
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Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
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Fixation on past failures or exaggerated self-blame or
self-criticism
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Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure, and the need for
excessive reassurance
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Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and
remembering things
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Ongoing sense that life and the future are grim and bleak
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Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide
Behavioral
changes
Watch for changes in
behavior, such as:
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Tiredness and loss of energy
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Insomnia or sleeping too much
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Changes in appetite
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Use of alcohol or drugs
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Agitation or restlessness
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Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
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Frequent complaints of unexplained body aches and headaches,
which may include frequent visits to the school nurse
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Social isolation
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Poor school performance or frequent absences from school
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Less attention to personal hygiene or appearance
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Angry outbursts, disruptive or risky behavior, or other
acting-out behaviors
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Self-harm — for example, cutting, burning, or excessive piercing or tattooing
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Making a suicide plan or a suicide attempt
Depression symptoms likely won't get better on their own — and they may get worse or lead to other problems if untreated. Depressed teenagers may be at risk of suicide, even if signs and symptoms don't appear to be severe. If you're a teen and you think you may be depressed — or you have a friend who may be depressed — don't wait to get help. Talk to a health care provider such as your doctor or school nurse. Share your concerns with a parent, a close friend, a spiritual leader, a teacher or someone else you trust.