Five percent of Spanish teenagers suffer from a depressive disorder, and 20 percent have anxiety. These are the data that emerge from the "VI Course of Comprehensive Health in Adolescence", organized by the Spanish Society of Adolescent Medicine (SEMA) at the University Hospital of La Paz, in Madrid.
Recently, WHO warned about the importance of preventing the onset of mental illness in adolescence. Not in vain, half of the mental health disorders suffered by the population, begin before age 14.
The main pressures of teenagers
"Teenagers ... my mother!", "They are in the age of the turkey. Everything happens." "I can't with them"… These types of comments are often heard frequently when talking about teenagers.
And although it is true that it may be a difficult stage (due to the many changes that it entails), experts insist on the importance of don't reduce your behaviors to stereotypes, and know how to identify the existence of a problem.
"Usually they are accused of being at a complicated age, in which they undergo many changes in the personal and social field, instead of identifying the existence of a serious problem "- warned Dr. Felix Notary, pediatrician of the Rosario Clinic (HLA Hospital Group) and member of the SEMA.
In Babies and more "Most teenagers are fantastic boys, but they don't go out on the news," we talked to psychologist Silvia ÁlavaAdolescence is a period of biological maturation that takes place approximately between the ages of 12 and 17. In this phase, the child begins to experience a series of physical changes, he has to begin to assume important responsibilities, and his life is usually influenced by various factors (environmental, cultural, social ...).
For many it is an exciting time, but so many changes can also be a great stress on the teenager. In fact, according to the data exposed during the "VI Course of Comprehensive Health in Adolescence", the competitive society and the pressure exerted by the Internet causes "that the comparison is continuous in an age in which one learns to be", may cause anxiety, insecurity and low self-esteem.
If we look at the latest research on adolescents conducted by the Pew Research Center in the United States, the main pressures that young people between 13 and 17 are subjected to are:
Obtaining good grades (61%)
The physical aspect (29%)
Fit socially (28%)
Signs of depression and anxiety in adolescents
According to the Mental Health America organization, depression is a disease that can affect both physically and mentally, because influences our way of living, feeling and thinking. Among the most characteristic symptoms is the need for social isolation, sleep disorders, loss of appetite and lack of interest or pleasure in performing various activities.
In Babies and more Anxiety, depression and other psychological problems in childhood: when children go to therapyOn the other hand, an anxiety disorder is characterized by a persistent alertness and fear mental state and for no apparent reason. Among its many symptoms are tremors or tics, difficulty breathing, palpitations, eating and sleeping disorders, headaches, and loss of self-esteem.
What to do if we believe that our teenage son suffers from stress or anxiety?
Any problem, disgust or circumstance in a person's life can lead to a feeling of sadness, dejection or stress that does not necessarily imply depression or anxiety disorder.
But if the signs we perceive in our teenage son appear all together or almost every day for a certain period of time, it is very important to take urgent measures.
"We must take into account, in the first place, hereditary factors that, if they exist, can have an important weight in the development of this pathology and, secondly, we have to assess in a global way the personal situation of the adolescent: substance use, significant personal losses, excessive use of social networks and technologies, etc. that may be causing excessive isolation "- noted Dr. Notario.
In Babies and more Half of mental disorders begin before age 14: keys to prevent and identify these problemsGiven these types of situations, experts advise spending time with our son, listening to him and talk to him to try to identify the problem / situation that is causing depression or anxiety. In addition, it is essential to see a pediatrician or family doctor as soon as possible, to receive advice on how to proceed.
It is essential to diagnose any mental disorder early, to put the appropriate treatment and prevent it from leading to more serious problemsPhotos | iStockphoto
