5 Common Mental Health Disorders In Teens

2. Anxiety (Social Anxiety Disorder)

What is it? Social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, is a disorder characterized by “extreme fear or anxiety in one or more social settings.”

Symptoms & Signs:

• Fear of situations where you may be judged, especially negatively
• Intense fear of interacting with or talking to strangers
• Fear of embarrassment
• Avoiding being the center of attention
• Anxiety in anticipation of certain events or situations
• Worst-case-scenario syndrome
• Blushing, fast heartbeat, sweating, trembling, nausea, or other physical symptoms of anxiety

How many children and adults suffer from social anxiety disorder?  

Fifteen million (7 percent) of U.S. adults have social anxiety disorder, with more than 75 percent of people experiencing the onset of symptoms in their childhood or adolescent years, according to Mental Health America. Those with social anxiety disorder have a higher risk of falling into substance abuse, and those that have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect are more likely to suffer from the disorder.

3. Depression (Clinical Or Major Depression)

What is it? Suffering from clinical or major depression disorder is characterized by the Mayo Clinic as a persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment to daily life.

Symptoms & Signs:

• Poor academic performance
• Withdrawal from social situations with friends and family members
• Feeling of worthlessness
• Sadness or hopelessness
• Anger or rage
• Overreaction to criticism
• Poor self-esteem or guilt
• Substance abuse
• Restlessness, agitation, changes in sleeping or eating patterns
• Suicidal thoughts or actions

Other warning signs include increased talk of death, erratic changes in behavior, giving away belongings, cryptic messages or notes, or an overwhelming sense of guilt, shame, or rejection.

How many children and adults suffer from depression?  

Major or clinical depression affects about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 18, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In general, 20 to 25 percent of adults will experience a major depressive episode at one point in their lives. Depression affects about 4.4 percent of U.S. children (2.7 million).

4. Eating Disorders

What is it? The American Psychiatric Association defines an eating disorder as characterized by severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors and associated distressing thoughts and emotions. Common eating disorders in teens include anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder.

Symptoms & Signs: 

• Extreme fluctuation in body weight
• Constant denial of hunger
• Hiding food or eating in isolation or private
• Obsession with food and its nutritional value/ingredients
• Excessive exercise and dieting
• Frequent fatigue and weakness
• Feelings of shame and guilt when eating
• Loss of control when eating
• Body dysmorphia

How many children and adults suffer from eating disorders?  

Eating disorders affect around 5 percent of the population but generally develop in adolescence and young adulthood. Generally, women between the ages of 12 and 35 are the most affected, though it’s known to exist in some form in any gender or age group. Eating disorders for teens are largely attached to other mental health issues, like anxiety, depression, or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).