Most Common Mental Health Issues In Young Adults
The rapidly evolving area of mental health presents challenging obstacles for young individuals. Often, when we think back on our teenage years and the early years of adulthood, we imagine "easier" days. Parents often believe that their adolescents are enjoying their life, carefree and worry-free. Regretfully, this isn't how things always turn out. Teens are experiencing mental health problems at an increasing rate, and COVID-19 has contributed to this trend. Numerous elements that affect their psychological well-being come together to make the transition from childhood to maturity challenging. The road to adulthood is paved with both great opportunities and formidable obstacles, from social expectations and identity exploration to employment insecurity and academic limitations.
Common Mental Health Warning Signs
Having or not having symptoms is not the only indicator of mental health. The identification and diagnosis of mental health issues might be complicated by the differences in symptom experiences across teenagers. A teenager may require assistance, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), if they
- Lose interest in past hobbies or pastimes
- Having low energy
- Struggle to eat or sleep
- Avoid social interactions and spend more time alone.
- Excessive exercising, dieting, and/or binge eating
- Hurt oneself by, for example, burning or slashing their skin
- Consume tobacco, alcohol, or other substances.
- Take part in hazardous or harmful activities
- Have suicidal thoughts
- Believe their thoughts are being manipulated, are uncontrollable, or hear things that other people are not able to hear
Top 5 Mental Health Issues in Adulthood
Below is a summary of some of the most common mental health issues affecting teens and young adults, to better support you and your adolescent.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorder among teenagers today. According to data from the World Health Organization, 4% of children aged 10 to 14 and 5% of those aged 15 to 19 suffer from an anxiety condition. Anxiety disorder symptoms often appear before the age of 21.
Anxiety disorders impact a person's daily life and go beyond isolated episodes of distress. They are distinguished by persistent, overwhelming dread or worry in settings that are not dangerous. Anxiety in teenagers may appear as:
- Feelings of fear or nervousness all the time
- Restlessness and impatience
- Anticipating the worst potential results.
- Breathlessness and a racing pulse
- bloated stomach and tiredness
- Chronic insomnia or difficulty falling asleep
- The sensation of tension or jitters
If you are suffering from anxiety, you can be diagnosed with one of the following specific anxiety disorders:
- General anxiety disorder(GAD) – Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) as a chronic or persistent state of a shift back and forth anxiety that is related to a failure to control indications of uneasiness, anxiety, and stress.
- Social anxiety disorder – The hallmark of social anxiety disorder is an extreme, illogical dread of being seen or judged by others due to feelings of embarrassment or being made to look foolish. The generalized type of social anxiety disorder refers to cases in which fears relate to most social situations (e.g., fear of general social interactions, speaking to people, attending social gatherings), whereas the non-generalized type involves more specific phobias.
- Phobias – In specific phobias, marked and persistent apprehension is present that is over the top or unreasonable, encouraged by the presence (or expectation) of a particular article or circumstance (for example flying, arachnids).
- Body dysmorphic disorder – having a distorted view of your body, believing that some portions of it are "bigger," "wrong," or "ugly" than they are.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) manifests chronic obsessions or compulsions. Obsessions and compulsions can be disabling and usually consume at least an hour a day. For example, checking to see if doors are locked or concerned that someone is in danger.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder occur in persons who have experienced a severely distressing traumatic event. Re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance, emotional numbing, and autonomic hyperarousal cause considerable psychological distress, as well as impairment in occupational functioning and personal relationships in PTSD.
There are many types of anxiety disorders, so if you think your kid may be developing one of these mental health issues, it's crucial to get in touch with your doctor. For any of the aforementioned conditions, seeking expert care is advised, especially in teens. Since teens' brains are still developing, it's critical to treat mental health issues as soon as they're identified.
Eating Disorders
An unhealthy focus on food and eating, as well as a relationship with it, are common features of eating disorders. Because there are few large-scale population research programs and differing diagnostic standards, it is difficult to quantify the prevalence of eating disorders. Additionally, numbers differ according to the type of disease. It's critical to understand that eating disorders can occur in the absence of weight reduction.
A person suffering from bulimia may appear to be of normal weight, but they may be secretly purging and bingeing. The most common symptoms of eating disorders are,
Rapid weight loss, food avoidance, excessive exercise or dieting, a strong fear of gaining weight, dishonest behavior around food, strict eating routines, and sleep disturbance are some of the warning indicators.
Depression
Depression is the second most frequent mental health illness in teenagers, affecting 3% of 15 to 19-year-olds worldwide. Depression is a disorder marked by frequent, severe episodes of depressive mood swings, altered cognitive patterns, and decreased motivation. Depression in teens and young adults frequently leaves them feeling helpless, alone, and lack of motivation or energy. Common symptoms of depression consist of:
- Alterations in sleep or appetite
- Lack of motivation or energy
- Lack of concentration
- Loss of interest in activities or friendships
- A sense of hopelessness
- Aches, pains, and general illnesses of the body
- Thoughts of suicide
Adolescent depression can impact relationships, academic attendance, and overall performance. Teenage depression symptoms can be made worse by social withdrawal, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years. Parents must intervene when their adolescent exhibits signs of depression and assist them in seeing a specialist. If depression is not addressed, it can persist into adulthood, cause substance addiction problems, or even spark suicidal thoughts.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
The impact of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on behavior and learning makes it a frequent disorder in teenagers that is usually diagnosed at an early age. Current estimates place the prevalence of ADHD in children between the ages of 4 and 17 at about 9%. These kids might have trouble focusing, get quickly sidetracked, and act impulsively or hyperactively.
The following are typical indicators of ADHD in kids and teens:
- Hopping around between tasks
- Easily become bored with an assignment
- inability to concentrate on a task or pay attention to other people
- Difficulty finishing assignments
- Having trouble rapidly digesting information
- Difficulty remaining still for a while
- Interacting or having fun with everything
- Acting without thinking through the repercussions
- Talking a lot and interrupting other people off
ADHD impairs a child's capacity for learning and frequently necessitates originality in both the home and school. Consequently, treating and diagnosing this illness may be essential to your teen's success in the future. It's also critical for parents to understand that almost two-thirds of kids with ADHD also struggle with another illness. A learning handicap, behavioral problem, or another mental health issue like depression or anxiety are a few examples of these. It is advised that patients with co-occurring or multiple mental health issues get integrated dual-diagnosis therapy.
Substance Use Disorders
Adolescence is a time when risk-taking is more prevalent, and this frequently results in teenagers attempting drugs and alcohol for the first time. Regretfully, though, this isn't always an experimental phase. Substance use disorders are common among teenagers and young adults who acquire drug or alcohol addictions.
Substance use disorders may take many various forms, depending on the drug of choice for the individual. A drug use disorder's symptoms may also coincide with those of other mental health conditions. Nonetheless, the following are typical indicators of a teen substance use disorder:
- Retraction from acquaintances or relatives
- Abrupt behavioral shifts
- Taking part in riskier activities including fighting, having sex, and drunk driving
- Gaining an excessive tolerance to alcohol and drugs
- Having withdrawal symptoms when not intoxicated or high
- Feeling that they are dependent on a chemical to function
Parents must understand that drug abuse and mental health illnesses such as sadness and anxiety frequently coexist. We refer to this as co-occurring disorders. An individual is about twice as likely to develop a drug use problem if they are also dealing with a mental health issue, such as depression.
How Can We Encourage Kids to Ask For Help?
Research indicates that teenagers who are struggling are less likely to seek treatment than those who are not experiencing psychological distress, which is concerning.
The main excuses given by young adults for not getting treatment were lack of support, fear, shame, and humiliation.
There are ways to interact with your teen without coming across as intrusive or awkward if you find it difficult to connect with them. According to a teen communication specialist, "We can work harder to listen more than we talk and to give our kids the time and attention they crave from us." "We can create a relationship where our children feel at ease confiding in us about their errors and poor decisions, and we can refrain from passing judgment on them when they make mistakes." Here are some tips for discussing mental health with your adolescent:
- "I've noticed you're...[spending more time alone/sleeping more or less/teary or angry]," is a good way to start a discussion. I would like to schedule a time to discuss this as I'm worried.
- Deciding on a convenient time and location for your conversation, as well as scheduling your conversations at times when no obligations to your family or other distractions will need you to finish the session early.
- Accepting when you don't know what to say and practicing the art of simply being together in quiet. Honesty occasionally finds a way to surface from silence.
Common FAQs About Mental Health Issues In Young Adults
What are the Most Common Mental Health Challenges in Adulthood?
Anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders are the most common adult mental health issues. These issues can fundamentally influence day-to-day working, connections, and general prosperity. For managing these difficulties and enhancing quality of life, it is essential to seek treatment and support promptly.
How Can Individuals Support Themselves or Loved Ones Facing These mental health challenges?
Seeking professional help, fostering open communication, practicing self-care, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, offering support and understanding, and educating oneself about mental health are all important ways to support oneself or loved ones facing mental health challenges in adulthood.
What Treatment Options Are Available for These Mental Health Issues?
Treatment options may include therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy), medication, lifestyle changes (such as exercise and stress management techniques), support groups, and in severe cases, hospitalization or residential treatment programs.