Adolescents Mental Health

Adolescents Mental Health

Many adolescents suffer from mental illnesses. These mental illnesses are not always diagnosed, making it more difficult for the developing adolescent. When these mental illnesses are not diagnosed or treated, they can have a long-term impact on the adolescent. Mental illness can be diagnosed and treated with the help of parents and teachers. Certain stressors can cause a mental illness in someone who is predisposed to it. Environmental factors such as substance abuse by the person or the person’s parents, low self-esteem, and severe psychological trauma can cause adolescents who are predisposed to mental illness to develop a mental illness.

Adolescents who have experienced psychological trauma are more likely to develop a mental illness. Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse are examples of severe psychological trauma suffered as a child. Child abuse and neglect involve non-accidental physical injury to a child, which includes willful cruelty and unlawful or unjustified corporal punishment that causes injury. Sexual abuse and sexual use of a child for one’s own gratification are also included in the definition, and neglect can occur in a child’s home or in any childcare situation (Clinton & Trent, 2009). Abuse of any kind affects children in ways we can’t even imagine, and we’ll never truly know the psychological toll it takes on them. The most difficult and prevalent type of child abuse is psychological abuse. Verbal abuse, harsh nonphysical punishments, or threats of abuse are examples of this type of abuse. The child feels worthless, flawed, unloved, unwanted, and threatened as a result of this behavior. Because this is such a difficult type of abuse to identify, it frequently goes undetected for long periods of time. Parental psychological abuse is strongly linked to adolescent mental health problems. Many negative outcomes have been linked to psychological abuse, including impaired emotional, social, and cognitive development, as well as helplessness, aggression, emotional unresponsiveness, and neuroticism. Many psychologically abused children suffer from long-term serious health consequences such as delinquency, low self-esteem, anxiety, substance abuse, PTSD, and depression. These mental health issues manifest into physical issues that seriously harm the adolescent in the long run. Mental health is difficult for adults to deal with; imagine how much more difficult it must be for an adolescent or child. A study was conducted to determine the relationship between parental psychological abuse in children and adolescent mental illness. A psychological maltreatment experience scale and a youth self-report were completed by 300 participants. Children who reported being more abusive had more problems than those who did not (Rizvi & Najam, 2014). Abuse can also cause depression, panic disorders, dissociative disorders, and suicide attempts, as well as other severe disorders (Clinton & Trent, 2009). These mental health issues are lifelong. They can only be helped with therapy and sometimes medication, but these are not always enough. Many adolescents who suffer from mental health problems may never recover and may commit suicide because it is too much for them. Abuse is often not reported, so we don’t know it’s happening. As a result, adults may not understand why an adolescent is experiencing these difficulties, and they may not always know how to assist them appropriately.

The most fundamental task for one’s mental, emotional, and social health, which begins in infancy and continues until death, is the development of positive self-esteem. An unstable self-concept and low self-esteem can contribute to the development of a wide range of mental disorders and social problems, including depression, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, anxiety, violence, substance abuse, and high-risk behaviors. Erikson and his stages of psychosocial development in children, adolescents, and adults conceptualized self-esteem. Individuals are preoccupied with their self-esteem as long as they are in the process of discovering their identity. If this process is not handled correctly, the individuals will be confused and will not know who they truly are. Identity issues, along with low self-esteem, can be the root of many mental and social problems throughout one’s life. Self-esteem is important in the development of a wide range of mental disorders[Man04]. Low self-esteem can have a variety of consequences in an adolescent’s life, and it is something that adolescents face on a regular basis. We strive to interact with others as humans, and our relationships with those closest to us help define us as individuals. Negative relationships result in negative feelings and a negative self-perception. Low self-esteem is often associated with other mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. It’s difficult to say which came first; all we know is that the combination is both common and problematic. Someone who already has a mental illness may develop low self-esteem as a result of the social stigma associated with mental illness. Stigma can reinforce the belief that they have failed in some way (Gold, 2016). Negative self-perceptions are a key component in the diagnostic criteria of major depressive disorders, manic and hypomanic episodes, dysthymic disorders, dissociative disorders, and personality disorders, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV). Low self-esteem causes a slew of

During a child’s school years, self-esteem is especially important, as this is when the majority of these mental health issues arise. There are numerous disorders that emerge during this time, but the most common are eating disorders, depression, and anxiety disorders. In female schoolchildren and adolescents, low self-esteem is especially a risk factor for the development of eating disorders[Man04]. This is clearly a problem that must be addressed. We don’t always consider how self-esteem affects mental health, but it’s a big part of it. It has a significant impact on adolescents in ways that we do not always understand. We can never truly understand what they are going through, so we cannot always assist them. This may exacerbate the adolescent’s problems. Not having someone understand them could lead to a worsening of their mental health problems.

Substance abuse by the individual or the individual’s parents can have a greater impact on an adolescent, especially one who is predisposed to mental illness. Substance abuse is defined as the misuse and/or habitual use of a chemical substance to alter one’s mood or psychological state. Substance abusers use drugs or alcohol to numb their pains or anxieties. Substance abuse often leads to substance dependence, commonly referred to as “addiction.” Addicts are emotionally wounded, having often suffered severe trauma as children. Addictive behaviors are linked to troubled early life relationships. Addiction causes stress in interpersonal relationships, particularly marriage and family life, and leads to a slew of social problems in adults (Clinton & Trent, 2009). Adolescence and early adulthood are peak periods for drug and alcohol use. The use of these generally rises between late adolescence and emerging adulthood, then falls towards the end of emerging adulthood. Alcohol and drug use increased during adolescence and peaked during emerging adulthood in a study that followed adolescents into adulthood, more than half of whom had at least one alcoholic biological parent. Several patterns of substance abuse were discovered. Moderate alcohol use with low levels of drug use was the most common, followed by light alcohol use with rare drug use. According to the data, 48% of young adults with serious mental illnesses reported using illicit drugs in the previous year, and 36% met the criteria for a substance use disorder. The potential consequences of substance use are more likely to be severe in emerging adults with serious mental health conditions than in those who do not have these conditions [She12]. Substance abuse has been a problem for a long time and does not appear to be improving. When someone has a mental illness, they may believe that something is wrong with them and turn to drugs or alcohol. This, in turn, will exacerbate the mental illness because, instead of receiving the necessary treatment, they will be filling their bodies with more dangerous substances. Adolescents already don’t know how to deal with mental illnesses, so abusing drugs and alcohol exacerbates the situation. It is also more difficult to diagnose a mental health problem in adolescents who use drugs or alcohol. Professionals are not always able to tell whether the substances are causing or exacerbating mental health problems.

There are numerous treatments available to assist an adolescent suffering from mental health issues. After a diagnosis is made, a specialist may recommend a specific treatment. Psychotherapy and medication are frequently used in treatment. Psychotropic medications are most commonly used. These are medications that affect brain chemicals associated with mood and behavior. No matter what type of medication is used, a child must be closely monitored to ensure that nothing else goes wrong. However, medications should not be used alone because they are ineffective. Psychosocial therapy can be very effective when used alone or in conjunction with medications. This type of therapy is often referred to as “talk therapy” or “behaviour therapy.” These therapies aid in the modification of behavior. It can also be very beneficial to assist parents and their children in learning coping strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychosocial therapy that has been shown to be very effective in children. The child learns to change distorted thinking patterns and behaviors through this type of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be done with or without the presence of one’s parents, as well as in a group setting. When dealing with an anxiety disorder, which is the most common type of depression in adolescents, this therapy is extremely effective. However, each child is unique and requires their own treatment plan [Sil08].

The Bible says little about mental health issues. Many people believe that God creates people in the ways that he does for a reason. The majority of the time, this reason is unknown, but everyone is perfect in God’s eyes. So, even if a person has a mental health disorder, they are still perfect. There are some passages that may provide some hope to those suffering from mental health issues. “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalm 34:17-18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” This passage indicates that it is very likely to be positive. It gives the impression that even if things go wrong, God will intervene and make things right. God will prosper no matter what is going on in someone’s head or life. Another verse that stood out to me was Proverbs 12:25, which says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” I like this one because, while it doesn’t specifically mention therapy, it does in some ways. Talking about his behaviors in therapy could be a good word that makes him happy. Anxiety may feel as if it is weighing one down, but with the help of therapy and hearing positive things, it may be alleviated. Although the Bible doesn’t say much about mental health issues in general, there are a few passages that seem to make sense when discussing them.

There are numerous potential risk factors to consider when looking at children and adolescents with mental health problems. There are numerous causes for developing a mental health problem, but there appear to be specific behaviors that make one more vulnerable to developing a mental health problem. Abuse of any kind increases an adolescent’s risk of developing a mental health problem. Abuse can be emotional, verbal, or physical, but psychological abuse is the most damaging. Psychological abuse is one of the most difficult forms of abuse to identify, and it often goes unreported, making it difficult to understand why an adolescent may have a particular mental health problem. As an adolescent grows, their self-esteem becomes increasingly important in shaping who they become. Low self-esteem is also a major risk factor for an adolescent developing a mental health problem. Low self-esteem and mental health issues go hand in hand and are mutually exclusive. It is possible that having depression or anxiety leads to lower self-esteem or that having low self-esteem leads to depression or anxiety. Another aspect of mental health issues is substance abuse. Adolescents who abuse substances are more likely than others to have mental health problems. They may use substances to make themselves feel better, but the effects are only temporary. They are right back where they started as soon as the effects of the drugs or alcohol wear off. Fortunately, many treatments for mental health issues have been shown to be effective. Medications and psychosocial therapy are primarily used. Adolescents with mental health issues do not have to suffer in silence and can receive assistance.

References

Clinton, T., & Trent, J. (2009). The quick-reference guide to marriage and family counselling. Grand Rapids: Baker.

Gold, A. (2016, July 12). Why Self-Esteem is Important for Mental Health. Retrieved from Namiblog: https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/July-2016/Why-Self-Esteem-Is- Important-for-Mental-Health.

Mann, M., Hosman, C. M., Schaalma, H. P., & de Vries, N. K. (2004). Self-esteem in a broad spectrum approach for mental health promotion. Health Education Research, 357-372.

Rizvi, I. S., & Najam, N. (2014). Parental Psychological Abuse toward children and Mental Health Problems in adolescence. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 256-260.

Sheidow, A. J., McCart, M., Zajac, K., & Davis, M. (2012). Prevalence and impact on substance use among emerging adults with serious mental health conditions. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, pp. 235–243.

Silverman, W., & Hinshaw, S. (2008). The Second Special Issue on Evidence-Based Psychosocial Treatments for Children and Adolescents: A Ten-Year Update. J Clin Child Adolescent Psychology, p. 1.

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To Prepare:

Review the information presented in the Learning Resources for using the Walden Library, searching the databases, and evaluating online resources.

Adolescents Mental Health

Begin searching for a peer-reviewed article that pertains to your practice area and interests you.

Question:

Using proper APA formatting, cite the peer-reviewed article you selected that pertains to your practice area and is of particular interest to you, and identify the database that you used to search for the article. Explain any difficulties you experienced while searching for this article. Would this database be useful to your colleagues? Explain why or why not. Would you recommend this database? Explain why or why not.

Here’s the peer-reviewed article I selected: Sleep Regularity in Healthy Adolescents: Associations with Sleep Duration, Sleep Quality, and Mental Health.

Citation:
Castiglione, F. C. E. G., Schaufler, S., Wild, S., Hamann, C., Kaess, M., & Tarokh, L. (2023). Sleep regularity in healthy adolescents: Associations with sleep duration, sleep quality, and mental health. Journal of Sleep Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13865