Research indicates that female
teens are more likely to develop mental health disorders than their male
counterparts. According to one study, 71 percent of antidepressant medications
prescribed to teen patients are for girls. Rates of self-harm are increasing
among teenaged girls, going up from slightly above 10 percent to over 16
percent in the span of three years. Meanwhile the rate for male teenagers
remains below 5 percent.
As a mother, you should be aware
of the mental health of your teenaged daughters.
But what are the most common
types of mental health disorders among teen girls and a short guide on how you
can be there for them.
- Eating Disorders
Body image issues are
distressingly prevalent among women. One survey revealed that 97 percent of all women have at least one
negative thought about their body every day. Media and culture have ingrained
unattainable body standards in everyone, but especially among women. The urge
to become thinner or fitter can manifest as switching to low-carb pasta, but
it can also lead to developing eating disorders, like anorexia and bulimia.
Without effective
treatment plans for bulimia and anorexia, these disorders could do
serious damage to your daughter's health.
Signs of an eating disorder are
varied, but some of the most salient include:
- Intentional vomit inducement or purging, whether
through oral stimulation, diarrheic substances or emetics.
- Rapid weight loss without noticeable effort like
exercise
- Signs of malnutrition like anemic appearance, hair
loss and constant exhaustion
Eating disorders are among the
most serious mental health issues that teen girls contend with and if you
suspect your daughter is experiencing one, you must seek professional help as
soon as possible.
- Anxiety
Anxiety is a mood disorder
characterized by a feeling of dread or unease. Before adolescence, girls and
boys have the same odds of developing anxiety disorders. But after puberty,
teen girls develop anxiety at roughly the same levels as adult women, which is much
higher than teen boys. Anxiety disorders are insidious, undermining the mental
health of someone living with it in small but meaningful ways.
An anxiety disorder primarily
manifests in the following ways, although there are other symptoms:
- Constantly feeling restless and on the edge.
- Easily getting tired due to prolonged restlessness.
- Having trouble focusing on the task at hand.
- Problems getting to sleep such as getting easily
woken up or falling asleep, short sleep hours or feeling unsatisfied with
sleep.
Take note that there are varying
levels of anxiety that could plague your daughter, and they may present
differently.
- Depression
Depression is different from
being sad and you should never downplay its effects as just being down on the
dumps. It's a serious mental condition that could lead to self-harm if left
untreated or exacerbated. Unlike feeling sad over an event, depression is
persistent and complicated by other emotions. Depression also differs from
grief, which is sadness connected with fondly remembering a departed loved one.
There are multiple types of depression, but some of the
most prevalent symptoms include the following:
- Persistent negative emotions such as hopelessness,
pessimism or feeling empty.
- Enhanced emotions involving decreased self-wroth like
guilt, feeling worthless or feeling helpless in the face of events.
- Low energy throughout the day, manifesting as fatigue
or slowed reaction time.
- Erratic sleep cycle, including insomnia, working very
early in the morning or even oversleeping.
Depression, like all mental
health disorders, doesn't just go away on its own or can be banished by
"positive thoughts." It requires professional help to overcome and
could worsen if left untreated.
What Can You Do?
As a mother, you should
rightfully be worried if your teenaged daughter exhibits any of the signs
above. But what can you do that might help them? Here are some of the most
important things to keep in mind when you believe your teenaged daughter is
experiencing a mental health problem.
- Listen. One of the reasons teenaged girls
might avoid discussing their problems with you is that they might not feel
like you're listening to them. Make it clear that they can come to you for
advice of help and never be dismissive.
- Seek Professional Help. Your support and
advice can only go so far when tackling your daughter's mental health
issues. There is no substitute to professional help such as therapy and
counselling. Seek the advice and assistance of a professional therapist
for your daughter as soon as it’s feasible.
- Study. As a parent, you should study up on how
best to interact and take care of your daughter. Ask professionals for
research and resources you can read that will help you understand what
your daughter is going through and how best to help them.
- Be Supportive. Never be dismissive of your
daughter's feelings. If they tell you about how bad they're feeling, don't
take it as an affront to your parenting. Focus on their needs and what
they feel. As a parent, it’s your duty to provide a safe space for your
children.
Being a teenager is already hard
enough, but living through a mental health issue as a teen girl is even harder.
These tips and information can help you guide your daughter through their
issues and mold them into strong and happy adults.
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