Since the 1990s, rates of teenage and adolescent depression and anxiety have been on the rise. And unlike adults, many teens underestimate the effects that stress has on their mental, emotional, and physical health both in the short and long-term. These effects include poor quality of sleep, poor eating habits, fewer interpersonal relationships, and less exercise. This, in addition to the specific and unexpected challenges of 2020, tells us that right now, teens might need therapy more than ever.
Stress triggers for today’s teens include:
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Academic pressure to achieve high grades and test scores, to participate in sports and extracurriculars, and to get into a high-ranking college. Many teens are overperforming and aiming for perfectionism, and then feel unworthy when they fall short of unrealistic expectations.
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Pressure from social media to look and feel a certain way. Never before has a generation grown up under the influence of Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. These platforms place pressure on how many “likes” and followers you have and create a culture focusing on physical appearance and feeling happy all of the time. The message is that every else’s lives are perfect and beautiful and happy, so if you aren’t perfect and beautiful and happy in every moment, something is wrong with you.
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Many young people are also experiencing uncertainty about the future, including climate change, social unrest, and a loss of confidence in political leaders.
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Some teens may be experiencing a concern for their family’s financial security due to the economic shutdown and job losses of 2020 from the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to the above stress triggers, lifestyle changes in the twenty-first century are increasing teenage isolation and anxiety, while decreasing opportunities for joy and connection.
These lifestyle changes include:
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In general, less movement and increasingly unhealthy and processed foods, which result in poor physical, mental, and emotional health.
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Excessive screentime, which results in decreased in-person social interaction, less time with family, less community involvement, and less time spent outdoors in fresh air and sunshine.
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Less unstructured, outdoor play – a very important time when youth learn to solve disagreements without adult interference, experiment with identity and leadership roles, and learn interpersonal skills. Unlimited access to electronics has robbed many of today’s teens and younger children of this much-needed time for creativity and imagination to flourish.
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Unlimited access to electronics also leads to an avoidance of difficult emotions such as boredom, sadness, and loneliness. When youth are allowed to distract themselves whenever they feel uncomfortable, they are robbed of opportunities to build mental strength and resiliency.
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A challenge specific to this past year is little to no social interaction due to stay-at-home orders and closed school campuses. Teens need social interaction to experiment with identity and build independence but it has been swapped out for virtual classes.
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Perhaps most consequential of all is that today’s youth aren’t being taught mental and emotional resiliency. Contrary to what we might think, the more adversity our children face, the stronger they will be. Similarly, the more we coddle, shelter, and protect them from anything painful or difficult, the less able they will be to solve their own problems and take care of themselves when times get tough.
If you are concerned about any of the above stress factors or lifestyle changes for a teen in your life, teen therapy can help. Teens often find it easier to open up to an adult who isn’t a parent and the earlier you seek outside help, the more you will prevent minor issues from turning into lifelong problems. Therapy can help teens with:
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Depression and mood disorders, which often begin during the teenage years. One-fifth of all teens experience depression at some point, but less than one-third of them receive treatment. Signs of depression in teenagers include irritability, withdrawal, anger, and sadness.
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Anxiety. Teenage anxiety is at an all-time high right now due to the previously discussed stress triggers.
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Questions about sexual identity, relationships, and social dynamics.
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The trauma of 2020. Teens may be feeling confused, overwhelmed, or sad about the current state of the world and our country. Therapy can help them process grief, fear, and any other emotions they are feeling.
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Learning ways to cope, regulate their emotions, and build resiliency – skills that will serve in all areas of life.
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Group therapy can also be an excellent option for teens. Group therapy will help them develop empathy and communication skills, and the shared experiences will teach them they aren’t alone and will nurture a sense of belonging and connection to others.
Begin Teen Therapy in Fair Oaks, CA and Roseville, CA:
If your teen is struggling and you feel they would benefit from counseling, please reach out to our Roseville, CA or Fair Oaks, CA counseling center. We would be honored to discuss the ways we could help your child. To begin therapy, follow these steps:
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Contact the Relationship Therapy Center and schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation to learn more about in-person or online teen therapy
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Make an appointment for your teen to meet with one of our compassionate teen therapists
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Get the support your teen needs to navigate adolescent challenges with confidence!
Other Counseling Services offered at The Relationship Therapy Center in California:
In addition to teen therapy, Our Sacramento area counseling clinics located in Roseville and Fair Oaks, CA are pleased to offer a variety of mental health services. Our couples services include: Couples Counseling, Counseling after infidelity, sex therapy, co-parent counseling, family therapy, divorce counseling, intensive couples retreats, and premarital counseling. Our individual therapy services include anxiety treatment, therapy for children, teen therapy, depression treatment, codependency counseling and individual relationship counseling. Our therapists offer online counseling in California to treat a variety of mental health concerns. Please reach out to our Sacramento area therapy office to learn more about the many ways we can help you or your loved ones.