“Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.”
― C.H. Spurgeon, English Particular Baptist Preacher (1834-1892)
Mental health disorders are neglected and considered fictitious by many people. However, the people affected by it know otherwise. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 31.4% of adolescents aged 13-14 years, 32.1% aged 15-16 years, and 32.3% aged 17-18 years suffer from an anxiety disorder. Out of these adolescents, an estimated 8.3% had severe impairment. Anxiety disorder causes a person to feel intense nervousness, fear, and stress to the degree that it impairs their mental functioning and social wellbeing. It is a possible symptom of depression, due to which the person could have suicidal thoughts. As reported by the National Crime Records Bureau, 11,396 children died by suicide in 2020. This means 31 children died every day by suicide in India in that year due to the immense psychological trauma faced due to the pandemic. These numbers only grow worldwide and pose a threat to the current generations.
Many conditions could stimulate anxiety in teenagers. Firstly, they experience tremendous parental pressure relating to their academic performance, extracurricular activities, social and religious conduct and relationships. They are required to live up to societal and gender standards. These standards compel them to live up to the expectations created by society when it just conceals their true nature and hinders them from growing and having new experiences. Imposing so much stress upon the child could have a devastating effect on their future and could develop into depression, anger issues, delinquency, and trouble maintaining relationships with others.
Family dynamics also play an integral role here. A child with absent parents tends to have trouble forming new relationships and maintaining pre-existing ones. Uninvolved parents have scarce interaction with their children, which prevents them from believing in the ideals of mutual love and respect. The consequent lack of affection in such parent-child relationships leads to low self-esteem and emotional neediness in other relationships. In some cases, excessively authoritarian parents force their children to be and act a certain way, thus completely denying them from developing a personality of their own and truly accepting themselves for who they are. Such adolescents find it difficult to express themselves. This, in turn, makes them suppress their emotions which intensify over time and turn into a catalyst in forming disorders like anxiety and depression.
Social media has various online platforms where millions of people share information and showcase their lives, talents and thoughts, usually in a very idealistic and opinionated manner which builds an intense atmosphere of judgement, envy and scrutiny. Exposure to this leads to unhealthy standards and expectations created by society and oneself, which increases fear of missing out and fuels feelings like inadequacy, isolation, and dissatisfaction. They become prone to cyber-bullying, which could have a disastrous effect on their self-image and personality, stunting their growth and confidence.
Tragically, many teenagers have anxiety and depression, but society and even their own families are dismissive and in denial about mental health issues. People need to be more compassionate, affectionate, and perceptive. Parents should be more involved in their children's lives and forge a comfortable relationship and environment with their children where they can freely express their feelings to each other. They should be more understanding and not enforce their ideals on their kids. They must not invalidate the child's problems and must educate themselves about their issues and familiarise themselves with ways they can help improve their situation. Furthermore, they should be ready to accept their children for who they are despite their likes, dislikes, hobbies, relationships, sexual orientation, and all other attributes.
Teenagers should be careful when dealing with social media and beware of online trolls and hate comments. You should learn to love every aspect of yourself and not get pressured by social ideals. Interact with people that support you and encourage you to do the right things. Do not be afraid or ashamed to ask for help from anyone, for example, a school counsellor or even a therapist. Maintaining the right eating and sleeping habits is essential for being healthy and productive. Explore your strengths and weaknesses and get to know yourself better. Do not get pressured into doing things that may cause harm to you or anyone else.
We must take mental health into importance and ensure the wellness of ourselves and our loved ones. We must strive to create a safe and comfortable environment for future generations and protect the youth from getting in shambles.
Bibliography:
N.a.”Any Anxiety Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health. n.a. Web. 11 Jul, 2022. <https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder>
Marks,Julie. ”How Too Much Parental Pressure Can Affect Kids’ Mental Health.” Psych Central. 19 May, 2022. Web. 11 Jul, 2022. <https://psychcentral.com/lib/parental-pressure-and-kids-mental-health#mental-health-effects>
Robinson, Lawrence. "Social Media and Mental Health." HelpGuide. n.a. Web. 11 Jul, 2022. <https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm>
McCarthy, Claire.”Anxiety in Teens is rising: What’s Going on?” HealthyChildren.org. 20 Nov, 2019.Web.11 July, 2022.<https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Anxiety-Disorders.aspx>
N.a. ”31 Children died by Suicide Every Day in India in 2020” NDTV. 31 Oct, 2021. Web. 11 Jul, 2022. <https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/31-children-died-by-suicide-every-day-in-india-in-2020-2594650>
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