By Catherine Davis

CW: The following content mentions anxiety, panic attacks, suicide, self-harm and eating disorders which some people may find triggering. 

Introduction

In the age of social media, global pandemics, and the demands of education, it is easy for school-aged young people to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and depressed. In 2022, it was estimated that 18.0% of children aged 7 to 16 years and 22.0% of young people aged 17 to 24 years had a probable mental disorder. For mental health awareness week, we wanted to highlight two common mental health problems among young people: depression and anxiety, describing some of the symptoms, available treatments, and tips for taking care of your own mental health.  

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a mental health disorder that affects just over 1 in 10 people in the UK. It is characterised by symptoms such as racing thoughts; uncontrollable over-thinking; trouble concentrating; feelings of dread, panic or ‘impending doom; feelings of irritability; heightened alertness; trouble sleeping; changes in appetite; a desire to escape your situation; and dissociation. Physical symptoms include: sweating; heavy and fast breathing; racing heartbeat; hot flashes; dry mouth; shaking; hair loss; tiredness or lack of energy; headaches, dizziness, and fainting; stomach aches, nausea, and sickness. While everyone experiences anxiety, frequent feelings of nervousness may lead one to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. People can visit their GP who may refer them to a mental health professional if these symptoms are interfering with their daily lives. 

What are the different types of Anxiety?

The most common form of Anxiety is Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) which is characterised by frequent anxious symptoms, people with GAD will feel anxious most days and this anxiousness will come from a variety of different reasons. Another form of anxiety is a panic disorder where you may experience frequent panic attacks for no reason. A panic attack is a rush of mental and physical distress. Symptoms may include: a racing heartbeat, feeling faint, sweating, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, etc. A third type of anxiety is social anxiety, which is driven by severe fears surrounding social situations. Other types of anxiety include: health anxiety, phobias, agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), skin-picking, hair pulling, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What to do if you’re feeling anxious

There are several means of treating anxiety, including actions you can perform individually, actions that require a therapist, and medications. For many people with anxiety, one calming thing to do that therapists may recommend is square breathing where you breath in for four seconds, hold your breath for four seconds, breath out for four seconds. and hold for another four. Although it is not a form of treatment, techniques such as square breathing may help a person with anxiety calm down during a stressful situation until they are able to speak with a professional. Other means of preventing anxiety in one's life include healthy eating, taking walks outside, and journaling. As far as professional help is concerned, talk therapy is a means of treatment in the long run that can help people learn to manage and discuss their anxiety, one example is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which helps the patient understand the connections between thoughts to overcome feelings of anxiety. If anxiety is severe enough, a doctor may suggest prescription medication such as Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a depression medication used to treat anxiety; benzodiazepines; or beta-blockers. 

Anxiety in students

Especially in a world post-Covid-19, anxiety is on the rise among school-aged children, a poll of 1,130 head-teachers revealed that 95% had seen a rise in anxiety levels among their pupils. Fears surrounding academic success, maintaining a social life post-pandemic, and of long term effects associated with the pandemic may be some of the reasons behind this rise in anxiety.

What is Depression?

Clinical depression is a mood disorder characterised by extended periods of sadness. Roughly one in seven young people aged 10-19 experience depression. 

What are the signs of Depression?

Symptoms of depression may include continuous low mood or sadness; feelings of hopelessness or helplessness; low self-esteem; feelings of guilt; feeling irritable, anxious, or worried; a lack of motivation or interest; struggling to make decisions; struggling to find enjoyment in life; thoughts or actions regarding self-harm; and suicidal thoughts or actions. While these are the symptoms an individual may experience, they are not visible from the outside: many people may try to hide their depression from others, out of a belief that their emotions are not valid or a fear of judgement. Close friends and family of a young person with depression may notice that they are struggling to sleep, unable to concentrate, less engaged with family and friends, indecisive, lacking confidence (your young person may may off-hand comments regarding their failure in school, social life, etc), eating less or overeating, sudden changes in weight, appearing more lethargic than usual, expressing feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and engaging in self-harm (cutting is the most common form in young people) or a suicidal attempt.

Depression in young people

Young people may be less likely to be open with a parent or carer regarding feelings of depression and may elect to speak to a close friend instead. A lack of willingness to discuss the subject with you does not mean you should do nothing, if you believe a child in your care is self-harming, sit down with them and attempt to have a conversation. They may have a strong reaction or deny that they are engaging in self-harm, many people may try to hide self-inflicted injuries by wearing long sleeves, jewellery, or claiming that it is the result of something else. If they do have a strong reaction, give your child some space and bring the conversation up when they are calmer. Always approach your child from a perspective of understanding and kindness, you can let them know that this is difficult for you to hear but if you do say that, ensure it is coming from the position that this is because you love them and want them to get better. Your child’s self-harm or depression is not about you, if you guilt them or express your sadness to an extreme extent, you may prevent them from coming to you in the future or worsen their symptoms because they feel as though they have somehow let you down. It is also important to have a discussion with your child about what to do if a friend is experiencing depression, thoughts of suicide, or self-harming. Tell your child that they should always encourage a friend struggling with depression to seek out help. However, if they refuse to do so, the young person should make an adult  they trust  aware of the situation. People may be concerned that they are breaking an established trust with their friend but if there is a serious reason for concern, sharing the information is not breaking the trust, it is helping your friend. It is also important that they know this does not mean they can tell everyone, the information should be limited to as few people as possible.

What to do if a young person is experiencing depression?

If a young person is experiencing depression and you have already had a discussion with them regarding their help, there are several options for what to do next. You should contact a paediatrician and discuss the situation with them. The paediatrician can advise you and your child as to what the best next steps would be. Seeking out a therapist is also an option, this will allow them to discuss their feelings in a confidential space with someone who they will not see on a daily basis. For our Equal Education tutors, or any professionals working with young people, it is important to raise and share any concerns you may have about a young person's wellbeing. This will support the young person in getting the support they need.

Conclusion

Both depression and anxiety are common among children and young people. Because of the severity that the symptoms can reach and the dangerous results that may occur, the matter should not be treated lightly. However, there are many options regarding treatment for both depression and anxiety that can help a struggling young person live a happy and fulfilling life.