Accessible Research
Explore the three most common mental disorders diagnosed among teenagers. Here, you will find a comprehensive review of each condition in one stop, written using formal but accessible language.
Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide, appearing in all age groups and representing a major cause of disability. The DSM-5 notes that the twelve-month prevalence of major depressive disorder is approximately 7% in the United States, yet our understanding of its mechanisms remains limited and our social acceptance of the disease remains lacking.
We must maintain the effort to continually destigmatize depression not just for the public's understanding, but also for those experiencing the disorder firsthand so that they may recognize their own struggles and seek professional help as soon as possible.
Anxiety Disorders
Fear and stress are natural emotional responses that make up an undeniable part of the human experience. When these feelings become excessive, out of control, and begin to disturb daily functioning, however, they become the characteristic symptoms of anxiety disorders. With these conditions, both general perceived threats of future dangers and stress induced by specific triggers can be dramatically heightened and persist for long periods of time.
Patients often do realize that they are overreacting in an irrational way, yet experience helplessness and an inability to control their symptoms regardless. Continuosly normalizing anxiety disorders by equating their struggles with stress as a natural part of life not only creates barriers to understanding mental illness, but also prevents the patient from reaching out for help.
ADHD
ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder, yet it is also the most widely misunderstood. Individuals with ADHD experience difficulties with staying on task, listening, losing their belongings, fidgeting, staying seated and more at levels inconsistent with development at their age.
Those with ADHD often experience chronic anxiety and stress as a result of the difficulties in their everyday life, sometimes leading to tense relationships with peers or family and harmful stereotyping.
These challenges are not in any way caused by laziness or a lack of discipline, they are simply linked to how the ADHD brain regulates and processes information.