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Anxiety & Depression

Celina City Schools

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Anxiety & Depression

Celina High School
715 E. Wayne Street
Celina, OH 45822
Phone: 419.586.8300
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:
  • Recurring fears and worries about routine parts of everyday life
  • Changes in behavior, such as irritability  
  • Avoiding activities, school, or social interactions
  • Dropping grades or school avoidance
  • Trouble sleeping or concentrating
  • Substance use or other risky behaviors
  • Chronic physical complaints, such as fatigue, headaches, or stomachaches.

What can parents, teachers, and others who interact 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
  • Feelings of sadness, which can include crying spells for no apparent reason
  • Frustration or feelings of anger, even over small matters Feeling hopeless or empty
  • Irritable or annoyed mood
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
  • Loss of interest in, or conflict with, family and friends
  • Low self-esteem
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Fixation on past failures or exaggerated self-blame or self-criticism
  • Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure, and the need for excessive reassurance
  • Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
  • Ongoing sense that life and the future are grim and bleak
  • Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide
Behavioral changes - Watch for changes in behavior, such as:
  • Tiredness and loss of energy
  • Insomnia or sleeping too much
  • Changes in appetite
  • Use of alcohol or drugs
  • Agitation or restlessness
  • Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
  • Frequent complaints of unexplained body aches and headaches, which may include frequent visits to the school nurse
  • Social isolation
  • Poor school performance or frequent absences from school
  • Less attention to personal hygiene or appearance
  • Angry outbursts, disruptive or risky behavior, or other acting-out behaviors
  • Self-harm — for example, cutting, burning, or excessive piercing or tattooing

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.
 

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WHEN TO GET EMERGENCY HELP

If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Also consider these options if you're having suicidal thoughts:

- Call your mental health professional.

- Call a suicide hotline. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

- Seek help from your primary care doctor or other health care provider.

If a loved one or friend is in danger of attempting suicide or has made an attempt:

- Make sure someone stays with that person.

- Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

- Or, if you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Never ignore comments or concerns about suicide. Always take action to get help.
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