Teen Anxiety and Depression Helping You Help Your Children Dr. Barb C. Wilson, Ph.D., LPC, CPCS, DCC, NCC February 12, 2018
What You Will Learn Tonight Definitions Symptoms Social Media Ideas- How to Help
Depression Depression is a mental illness in which a person has persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, loneliness, hopelessness, and guilt. It is a mental health disorder that can be successfully treated.
Beyond Sadness Occurs when the feelings of depression persist and interfere with a child or adolescent's ability to function. It is different than normal blues and everyday emotions that occur as a child develops. 10.1% of GA Teens reported having a major depressive episode.
What Does It Look Like? Many children with depression may go undiagnosed. A child s depressed mood may be evidenced by acting out behavior (more frequently in younger children). Sometimes misdiagnosed as having ADHD. Children under stress, who experience loss, or who have learning, conduct or anxiety disorders are at a higher risk for depression. Academic/attendance issues.
Causes There is not a single cause of depression. Depression can be caused by a biochemical imbalance in the brain. Depression can be caused by a triggering event (i.e. trauma). Research suggests there is a complex connection between biological, genetic, and psychosocial factors that lead to depression. Depression tends to run in families.
Signs and Symptoms Irritability or anger Excessive sadness, crying, and/or whiningweepiness Feelings or statements of hopelessness (negative self-talk) Feelings or statements of worthlessness ( nobody loves me, I m stupid ) Social withdrawal Increased sensitivity Major changes in appetite Major changes in sleep
Other Red Flags Aggressive play toward self or others Play/expression that involves sad themes Lasts more than two weeks Self-harm
Self-Harm Copycat, coping skill, suicidal ideation Not always on the arms/wrists Pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, blades, knives, combs, razors, silver/plastic ware, lighters, sandpaper
Suicide Suicide is the 3 rd leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds in GA On average, one person dies by suicide every seven hours in GA For every completed suicide, there are 25 attempts
Anxiety A general feeling of apprehension or worry and is a normal reaction to stressful situations Concerning when the feelings become excessive, thoughts become irrational, and the thoughts interrupt everyday functioning Characterized by excessive fear, panic, or irrational discomfort
Is My Child Too Young? Median age of onset- 11 25% will experience an anxiety disorder between 13-18 5.9% will have a severe anxiety disorder Only 18% will receive treatment
Anxiety Three Arms of Anxiety Uncertainty Lack of Control Perception of Danger
Signs and Symptoms A sense of dread Fears of impending doom A sense of suffocation (breathing through a narrow straw) Anticipation of something happening Loss of control over breath, swallowing, speech, coordination Vague physical complaints (headaches, stomachaches) Poor school attendance/performance
Social Media
Social Media and Mental Health
Social Media The more social networks an adolescent uses, the more likely he/she will report anxiety and depression. FOMO Screentime and sleep disturbances
Instagram vs. YouTube Top 5- YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram YouTube most positive experience Instagram most negative experience All positive- self-identity, self-expression, emotional support, and community building All negative- sleep quality, bullying, bodyimage, FOMO All except YouTube- increase in anxiety and depression
What You Can Do Water the Seeds, Not the Weeds Focus on loving firmness Positive Reinforcement Model healthy behavior and choices Get help- a team approach Take care of family needs Georgia- New PSA outreach
Thank You for Coming! Dr. Barb C. Wilson, Ph.D., LPC, CPCS, DCC, NCC 770-533-0759 BarbWilson3125@gmail.com