The number of youths struggling with mental illness is on the rise with a 1.24% increase in youth who have experienced a major depressive episode in the past year. In many cases, youth do not have access to the care that they need nor understand the extent of their feelings. Mental health is extremely important for children and adolescents because their brains are still developing. By understanding the signs of youth mental illness, you can help guide your child to grow and adapt to new challenges along the way.
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What is Youth Mental Illness?
Youth mental illness is a health condition that affects children and youth (ages 13-17) emotions, thinking, or behavior. It can prevent an individual from being able to perform daily tasks. Mental illness comes in many forms, with types of mental illnesses, which include, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and addictive behaviors. Children and youth can have mental health concerns from time to time, however, it becomes a concern when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affects their ability to function, which in turn causes youth mental illness.
What Causes Youth Mental Illness?
Mental illness can affect anyone at any age, however there are certain factors which can make youth more prone to mental illness. Many young children and youth face tough situations which pushes them towards mental illness. The causes can be separated into three categories: genetic, biological, and environmental.
- Genetic Factors – If a relative suffers from mental illness, you have a higher chance of having a mental illness.
- Biological Factors – An error in the brain chemistry, including the neurons and neurotransmitters in your brain, could be responsible for causing mental illness.
- Environmental Factors – Exposure to unsafe substances, like drugs or alcohol, could result in depression. In addition, the issues the youth face in their lives, like abuse or the death of a loved one, could trigger a mental illness.
Signs of Mental Illness
Most adolescents in youth react in different ways when they have mental illness. You may find adolescents prefer to sit alone or struggle to connect with the world. Some become more aggressive than usual and have trouble concentrating. They may feel excess sadness, hopelessness, irritability, or anxiety. They can experience a loss of interest in spending time with friends or activities they used to enjoy. They can also start to have major changes in sleep and eating habits.
If there is concern that a teen or child may be experiencing a mental illness problem, it is important for adults to seek help from a doctor or mental health professional. Treating mental illness problems early may help prevent a more serious illness from developing in the future.
How Modern Psychology and Wellness Can Help
A person’s youth is a formative time, and their experiences have a lasting impact on their development and who they become. Mental illness can have a detrimental influence on their health. With early detection and treatment, youths’ mental health can prevent serious outcomes, which is why it is important to recognize the signs of youth mental illness.
Youth mental illness is a serious issue, and we want to do our part to reach out to those who are struggling. We are now offering youth mental health services for individuals ages 13-17. Our intake hours extend from 9 am to 3 pm at our West Chester Office. We offer assessments to measure the extent of the mental illness and offer group, individual, or family therapy. Modern Psychiatry and Wellness offers personalized treatment plans for all ages, please reach out by filling out our website contact phone, call us at 513-440-5117 or email us at mpwyouth@modernpsych.com.
