Common Myths About Mental Health Problems In Adolescents

Mental health problems are as common as the other health problems we face. In many ways, mental health is almost like physical health: everyone has it and therefore, people need to treat it in a way they think is best. Good mental health also means being able to think, feel, and react in the way you want and need to live your everyday life. It involves taking time for yourself to relax and have fun.

There are several kinds of mental health problems. A few of these include anxiety disorders, phobias, panic attacks and depression. There are several types of physical illnesses that can affect the brain. These include migraines, muscle pain and back aches, digestive disorders, menstrual disorders, backaches, asthma and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders. People experience excessive feelings of fear and worry in various situations. People with anxiety disorder experience feelings like they are about to die or lose control. Some of the common feelings that occur include intense sadness, hopelessness, fear, nervousness and insomnia.

Phobias are another type of mental health problems. A person suffering from a phobia can have extreme fears of things that they are not capable of doing because of their fears. These fears can be extreme for the patient’s personality and are usually related to one or more biological factors.

Panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorders are also mental health problems that have no known cause. Panic attacks are characterized by short periods of extreme nervousness and anxiety. The person may develop these attacks when they are faced with something that they fear might happen. They may develop these attacks frequently and for no apparent reasons. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by many people performing ritualistic behaviors in an attempt to stop their mental illness.

Family history of mental health problems is an important indicator of risk. If someone in your family has had a mental illness, you are at greater risk of developing one yourself. Research has shown that the risk of developing substance use disorders is influenced by family history.

Schizophrenia is a major mental health problem that is characterized by hallucinations and delusions. People who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia have been found to have a genetic component that increases the likelihood of developing this condition. Schizophrenia can be either a primary or secondary condition. It can develop in either the left or right side of the brain. There is currently no cure for schizophrenia.

Depression is another serious mental health problem affecting adolescents and young adults. Depression is a common symptom of other underlying disorders. Symptoms of depression include extreme sadness or excessive fatigue, constant thoughts of death or suicide, loss of interest in activities that were once of interest, and social withdrawal. Because depression affects the whole body, it can be a difficult disease to treat. Left untreated, depression can have devastating effects on the physical and emotional well-being of an adolescent or young adult.

Panic attacks are another one of the leading cause of mental health problems in adolescents and young adults. Because panic attacks are similar to heart attacks, they can be mistaken for a heart problem. However, they are caused by a sudden surge of Adrenalin through the bloodstream. People who have had panic attacks often mistake them for heart attacks because of their similarities in symptoms. There is no evidence that proves that panic attacks cause heart attacks.

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by an alternating pattern of abnormally rapid emotions and abnormal, disjointed behaviour. Bipolar disorder usually begins during adolescence or early adulthood. The causes of bipolar disorder are not known, but many researchers believe that some kinds of anxiety are responsible. Approximately one in fifty Canadian individuals experience bipolar disorders at some point in their lives.

One of the most common myths surrounding mental health disorders is that teenagers are somehow more prone to having problems with their sexual orientation. Research has proven that there is no link between same-age sexual orientation and having homosexual or bisexual interests. It has also been shown that people do experience same-age attractions but choose not to pursue a relationship with that particular sex. The myth therefore suggests that if two people feel the same-sex interest then they may be attracted to each other regardless of their sex. This would mean that there is no link between sexual orientation and gender preference.

Emotionally healthy adolescents generally have better psychological well-being than children or adults. Adolescent girls tend to have higher self-esteem and have better physical health than boys. They also tend to have better social experiences and they are also less likely to be abused or neglected. Adolescent boys have lower self-esteem and are involved in more risky behaviours which are associated with both emotional and physical illness as well as potential criminal activity down the road.

Ann Miller

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