Teen Anxiety (Extra Credit)

What?

Teen anxiety is much more common than it was in the old days, the article even stated more common than in the Great Depression times. The article stated five times as many high school and college are dealing with more anxiety and other mental health issues. Many times where students are dealing with anxiety they can also experience depression and other issues that are destructible to a persons self-esteem and life. This article really hit home for me because it made me analyze my life and what life and school has to me. There are many times where I feel anxious and have major anxiety to the point I have literally made myself sick. The article also states that this is also happening because children at this age are held responsible for doing things on their own and taking responsibility in their life with money, school, and much more. Another factor that has an impact in anxiety is the role of fitting in with other students and with society. Money, where you live, what your parents do, all lead to how others look at you and treat you. For younger students, even all students, experience this happening at one time in their life if not constantly. This can cause a lot of stress which leads to your body shutting down and problems happening.

So What?

Anxiety and depression is not something that can be ignored. This is a serious issue that affects a persons self-esteem and success. The article talks about expectations and how destructive they can be. When high expectations are set, that sets the child up for either overwhelming physical break downs or mental break downs. The article depicts it perfectly of what this generation was led to do and believe, "Hunter says this latest generation has been raised in a "you can do anything atmosphere." And that, he says, "sets up a lot of false expectation" that inevitably leads to distress for some." This can ruin a students emotional well being, social well being, and just who they are in general.

Now What?

I think there can be a lot done to prevent or to help this situation. The first place prevention needs to start is in the home. We have always been taught the home is the first and best place of where children learn things. If parents encourage their children more and help them overcome challenges together then I believe there would be less pressure on the child which will lead to less anxiety and mental health problems. This will also show the children how much their care and want the best for them, in a healthy way. Another thing that could help is teaching children how they can succeed by doing things on their own. This needs to start at an early age and gradually lead them into being an adult and being independent. This will alleviate the sudden urgency to grow up and will help children to be more responsible in their schooling too.