It is not unusual for a teen to suffer from a mental health disorder. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, one in five teens and young adults live with some type of mental illness. Half of those will develop their condition by the age of 14.
Discovering you have a mental health disorder can be frightening and confusing. However, you are not alone in your diagnosis. In addition to friends and family members that are ready to support you, there are a wealth of resources and treatment opportunities for young people struggling with mental illness today. The earlier you seek treatment, the more effective the treatment will likely be. Don’t wait to talk to someone about your illness and seek the help you need.
Common Mental Health Disorders
Some of the most common mental health disorders diagnosed in teens and young adults include:
- Anxiety disorders – including general anxiety disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder Depression – disorders might include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders – such as bulimia, binge eating and anorexia nervosa
- Developmental disorders – including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Impact of Mental Illness
A mental health disorder can make even routine tasks in life that much harder. It affects how you relate to friends, family and others in your life. It can be a detriment to your academic performance and your social life. Sometimes it feels like the condition is controlling your life. However, mental illness is just like any other illness – it has a physiological cause and treatment options to help you manage the symptoms.
Treatment of Mental Illness
Getting treatment for mental health disorders is imperative to helping you manage your symptoms and enjoy a higher quality of life. The sooner you seek treatment, the more effective treatment will be and the less of an impact the condition will have on every aspect of your life. In addition, mental illness left unchecked can increase your risk for substance abuse and addiction. Some people turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to “self-medicate” their symptoms, but this can often add to the problems of mental illness.
Today, there are effective ways to diagnose and treat all types of mental illness. Medication, talk therapy and other modalities can be used to help you understand your condition and manage the symptoms. Don’t wait until your mental illness causes bigger problems in your life to get the help you need.
At Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, we see firsthand the impact mental illness can have on substance abuse. If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, help is available. Contact Visions today at 866-889-3665.
