6 Mental Health Challenges Teens Can Experience

Nearly one in 10 kids need support with mental health challenges, yet the majority go without help. So, the fact that you’re reading this shows you’re doing something right.

At our three locations in the metro Portland, Oregon, area, our dedicated team at Sellwood Medical Clinic offers pediatric care for teens to help ensure they thrive.

Take a few moments to learn about six common mental health challenges teens experience.

1. Frequent anxiety

From body changes and wanting to fit in socially to challenging academics, numerous factors involved with teenage living can fuel anxiety. 

For about 8% of youth, such worries go beyond “butterflies” and meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder. In such cases, worrisome thoughts are excessive and persistent and often fuel physical symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and constipation or an upset stomach.

2. High stress

Stress and being a teenager often go hand-in-hand. College preparation, managing complicated schedules, new responsibilities, like driving, and even crushes or breakups can add stress to daily life.

Stress has health effects similar to anxiety, but it’s more situational. Stressful circumstances at home or school can cause your teen to feel aggravated and tense. Unmanaged or sudden stress can raise your teen’s blood pressure and lead to anxiety over time.

3. Depressed moods

Low moods, or “the blues,” during teen years can stem from a range of factors, from hormonal changes to being bullied online or at school. Severe or long-lasting symptoms may indicate a depressive disorder that needs treatment.

Major depression, which involves lengthy periods of issues like sadness and loss of interest in hobbies, affects about one in five adolescents. Other signs of teen depression include alcohol use, angry outbursts, and self-harm. 

4. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition that’s also considered a neurodivergent or atypical type of brain. 

If ADHD goes untreated, an affected teen may have a difficult time sitting still or paying attention in class and struggle with rejection sensitivity — a pronounced sensitivity to criticism or feeling unaccepted. Girls with ADHD, in particular, are prone to ruminating thoughts about social rejection. 

5. Poor body image and disordered eating

There’s no shortage of pressure on teens to care about their appearance. For some teens, that care becomes something harmful. From social media to limiting beauty standards, a variety of factors lead teenagers to fixate on or attempt to change their appearance. Having a parent prone to body dissatisfaction is linked with poor body image too.

If your teen feels self-conscious about their shape or size, they may be vulnerable to dangerous practices such as disordered eating and overexercise. Eating disorders common among teens include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and orthorexia.

6. Sleep-related challenges

Most mental health challenges can interfere with your child’s sleep. And while teenagers should ideally get 8-10 hours of nightly sleep, many fall short. 

Chronic conditions common among teens, like asthma and circadian rhythm sleep disorders, can also make sufficient sleep unlikely. And the more a teenager struggles with sleep, the more likely they are to experience daytime grogginess, irritable moods, poor concentration, and fatigue.

Getting worthy support 

Mental health issues among teens may seem daunting, but there’s hope. A range of tools and supports are available to bolster your teen’s mental well-being — from therapy, stress management, and appropriate medication to enjoyable hobbies, a healthy diet, and improved sleep habits. 

Our professionals at Sellwood Medical Clinic pride ourselves on being a safe space for all patients and can also determine and address underlying issues that may trigger or worsen mental health issues, such as nutrient deficiencies and asthma.

If you’ve noticed changes in your teen’s behaviors or moods, call our Sellwood Medical Clinic location nearest you or book an appointment online here. Our expert team would love to help. 

If your teen is showing signs of suicidal ideation, which is especially common in LGBTQIA+ youth, please call us immediately or seek prompt care.