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Anxiety

Anxiety has become one of the most common mental health issues that people of all ages are struggling with today. While anxiety can present itself differently from individual to individual, there are some signature symptoms of anxiety:

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Mental Symptoms

Overthinking and mind-racing
Catastrophizing - or worst case scenario thinking
Ruminating or thinking about the same thing over, and over
Mentally “spiraling” about what could happen/has happened
Irritability, easily agitated
Feeling highly stressed

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Physical Symptoms

Stomach aches & digestive issues
Headaches or migraines
Heart-racing, trouble breathing or panic attacks.
Having trouble “settling” yourself.

Anxiety may show up differently for teens. Teenagers are living in a very difficult time where they are under constant self-scrutiny through social media which bombards them with unrealistic clips or images of others' lives. They are left comparing themselves and feeling inadequate. Their self esteem and sense of self worth is under constant attack.

Oftentimes for teens, anxiety is surrounded around school and/or social situations.

Below are some unhealthy thinking patterns, rooted in anxiety that teens may be dealing with.

  • Overthinking and mind-racing

  • Catastrophizing - or worst case scenario thinking - example: I am going to fail the test, I am never going to get into college, I am going to be a failure.

  • Ruminating or thinking about the same thing over, and over.

  • Mentally “spiraling” about what could happen or what has happened example: I answered the question incorrectly out loud in class, everyone thinks I am dumb. They’re right, I am so stupid, I am never going to this class again, I am not going to school tomorrow. I am worthless, etc……

  • Irritability, becoming easily agitated. Yes, puberty may be contributing, but anxiety can cause individuals to be very irritable.

  • Feeling highly stressed - perfectionistic tendencies, juggling school, sports, work, social life, relationship issues with friends and romantic partners, family dynamic issues.

Depression

Depression is another very common mental health struggle that can happen after a negative situation, like a break up, or a death of a loved one, or can happen due to other factors like biology, genetics, and environmental factors. Here are some depression may show up:​

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Mental Symptoms

Consistent feelings of sadness, or feeling down
Loss of pleasure or interest in hobbies
Negative feelings of self, increased negative thinking
Feeling hopeless, desire to socially isolate
Trouble focusing or concentrating
Thoughts of harming yourself, or ending your life.

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Physical Symptoms

Low energy, low motivation, fatigue
Changes in appetite
Sleep changes, trouble sleeping or wanting to sleep too much
Physical aches and pains, headaches,
Irritability and agitation

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by drastic changes in mood that are noticed by the individual and also by those close to the individual, that range from extreme happiness or euphoria (mania or hypomania) to anger, to major depressive episodes. These shifts in mood can occur quickly for some, or may take longer for others. It can feel like you’re on cloud to feeling like you’re in the lowest of lows. The mood shifts can be caused by different triggers, or may just come completely out of nowhere.

Depressive Episodes occur with Bipolar Disorder. These may last from days, to weeks to months. Here are some common symptoms of depression:

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  • Consistent feelings of sadness, or feeling down

  • Loss of pleasure or interest in hobbies

  • Negative feelings of self, increased negative thinking

  • Feeling hopeless, desire to socially isolate

  • Trouble focusing or concentrating

  • Thoughts of harming yourself, or ending your life.

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Mania/Hypomania can show up like:

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  • A very noticeable shift in energy level, one may talk much faster, or jump from topic to topic in a way that doesn’t make sense

  • Impulse control issues or engaging in risk taking behaviors (dangerous driving, risky or unsafe sex, spending sprees

  • Shifts in reality, or delusions of grandeur, or feeling like you are more superior or powerful than others

  • Feeling like you are extremely happy, ecstatic, euphoric.

  • Noticeable changes in sleep patterns and eating patterns, feeling like you may not need to eat or sleep

  • Pronounced increase in libido or sex drive

 

*Sometimes when people experience mania, they can experience symptoms of psychosis or lose touch with reality and hospitalization is necessary.

Some physical manifestations of depression may look like:

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  • Low energy, low motivation, fatigue

  • Changes in appetite

  • Sleep changes, from trouble sleeping to wanting to sleep too much

  • Physical aches and pains, headaches,

  • Irritability and agitation

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Trauma

According to the American Psychological Association Trauma is described as any disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation. confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative effect on a person’s attitudes, behavior, and other aspects of functioning. Traumatic events include those caused by human behavior (e.g., rape, war, industrial accidents) as well as by nature (e.g. earthquakes) and often challenge an individual’s view of the world as a just, safe, and predictable place. Trauma can also be described as any serious physical injury, such as a widespread burn or a blow to the head.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and/or Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder occurs following a traumatic event in your life. Complex PTSD can be caused by childhood abuse or neglect, disrupting attachment that impairs development of healthy relationships and can last into adulthood, domestic violence, feeling held captive or unable to leave a relationship, and ongoing relational stress caused by narcissistic abuse and gaslighting.

 

Some examples of traumatic events are:

  • Unexpected death of a loved one

  • A car accident

  • Being a victim of or witnessing an assault or violent act

  • Being a victim of a hate crime

  • Traumatic experiences in military service

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Complex trauma is when an individual experiences traumatic events or situations for periods of time. Oftentimes this can be caused from childhood emotional abuse or neglect, disrupted attachment with a parent or caregiver, domestic violence and ongoing relational stress. This type of stress causes changes in our nervous system. The feeling of “fight or flight mode,” or feeling like there is always a looming threat causes an individual to never feel emotionally, or sometimes physically safe. One may seem detached from their bodies, or even numb at times.

Other examples of Complex Trauma are:

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  • Being a victim of a physically or psychologically abusive relationship with a family member, boss or romantic partner

  • Being raised by a parent with a serious mental health or substance use issue who caused psychological or physical abuse

  • Fighting a chronic illness, or recovering from a major injury

Life Transitions

Big life changes can be a lot to process. Sometimes, it can be difficult to adjust. Therapy can be a safe place to vent, explore, and find healthy coping techniques to transition in a healthy way.

Some examples of life transitions are:

  • Divorce

  • Moving

  • Change in career

  • Going away to college, or changing schools

  • Having a child

  • Moving in with a partner

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