Mental health issues are striking the young at a disturbing rate.
Young people, as young as the age of 12, are experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety…and this is a major concern.
MONTREAL, Canada (PRWEB) April 14, 2018
Many mental health red flags may be dismissed by parents and teachers as “normal” teenage angst or a cry for attention: A tendency toward isolation, nervousness, lashing out, or sleeping too much. Perhaps far worse is the knee-jerk reaction of dealing with issues like attention problems or hyperactivity by prescribing medication.
A recent study by researchers at PsychTests, however, suggests a need to take a more serious and practical approach to mental well-being in youth. Their study reveals a higher incidence of mental health issues in individuals below the age of 25, particularly for 12 to 17 year olds.
In their analysis of the 7883 people who took their free Mental Health Assessment, researchers at PsychTests compared participant scores on symptoms of depression and anxiety. Youths below the age of 18 outscored older age groups on the following symptoms:
(Note: Scores range from 0 to 100. The higher the score, the stronger the symptom)
DEPRESSION-RELATED SYMPTOMS
Depressed mood; frequent feelings of sadness
- Score for below 18 age group: 69
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 62
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 56
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 51
- Score for 40 and older age group: 51
Diminished interest in things once enjoyed
- Score for below 18 age group: 62
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 59
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 56
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 54
- Score for 40 and older age group: 54
Fatigue, low energy
- Score for below 18 age group: 74
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 71
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 68
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 65
- Score for 40 and older age group: 62
Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
- Score for below 18 age group: 70
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 65
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 63
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 57
- Score for 40 and older age group: 54
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Score for below 18 age group: 71
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 68
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 68
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 64
- Score for 40 and older age group: 63
Suicidal thoughts, ideation, or attempts
- Score for below 18 age group: 55
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 45
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 38
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 34
- Score for 40 and older age group: 34
Symptoms were so severe, they affected daily life
- Score for below 18 age group: 63
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 61
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 57
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 55
- Score for 40 and older age group: 52
ANXIETY-RELATED SYMPTOMS
Worrying excessively about many things
- Score for below 18 age group: 74
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 73
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 72
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 67
- Score for 40 and older age group: 63
Difficulty regulating anxiety/controlling the tendency to worry
- Score for below 18 age group: 63
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 62
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 60
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 55
- Score for 40 and older age group: 52
Restlessness; feeling tense or on edge
- Score for below 18 age group: 71
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 68
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 68
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 63
- Score for 40 and older age group: 58
Easily fatigued
- Score for below 18 age group: 74
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 71
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 68
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 65
- Score for 40 and older age group: 62
Avoidance of situations or activities that cause anxiety or panic
- Score for below 18 age group: 61
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 60
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 58
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 54
- Score for 40 and older age group: 51
Trembling or shaking
- Score for below 18 age group: 52
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 43
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 40
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 38
- Score for 40 and older age group: 33
Nausea or abdominal distress
- Score for below 18 age group: 56
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 53
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 49
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 46
- Score for 40 and older age group: 44
Fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying
- Score for below 18 age group: 54
- Score for 18 to 24 age group: 49
- Score for 25 to 29 age group: 50
- Score for 30 to 39 age group: 44
- Score for 40 and older age group: 38
PsychTests’ study also reveals that while a greater percentage of older subjects in their sample had been clinically diagnosed with depression and anxiety (25% of the below 18 age group vs. 30% of 40+ age group) or were currently being treated for it (14% and 21% respectively), this may be because they have the wherewithal to seek out help. Case in point: When asked whether they believed they needed treatment for depression or anxiety, 55% of participants under the age of 18 felt so, compared to 38% of those 40 and older.
“While it’s important to keep in mind that this sample is somewhat skewed – in that only people who are suffering are likely to take the test – we cannot so easily dismiss what the data reveal: Young people, as young as the age of 12, are experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety…and this is a major concern,” explains Dr. Jerabek, president of PsychTests. “What is equally worrisome is that aside from the fact that nearly half (49%) of the below 18 age group indicated that they are dissatisfied with their life, 71% have contemplated suicide within the last 2 years. So children who should be out having fun and enjoying their life are thinking about putting an end to it all. This is more than a cry for attention: It’s a desperate plea for help. And we feel that initiatives must be taken to make mental health and well-being a staple in school programs. We are only just starting to understand the importance of stress management and Employee Assistance Programs at work, but it is time to start focusing on mental health long before our young people head out into the world. The stigma of a mental health issue still inhibits many people from seeking help, but perhaps even more so for young people, perhaps for fear of not being taken seriously. The current approach of “Diagnose & Medicate” is simply creating more problems. I find the trend of exposing developing brains to psychotropic medication highly disturbing. While prescription drugs might be beneficial or even necessary in some cases, for most children and teens, they are not. We need to teach our kids how to cope with stress, how to overcome setbacks, how to resolve conflicts in a civilized manner, how to deal with loss and trauma. We need to teach them social skills and emotional intelligence. We need to teach them life skills, set an example, and show them how to reach deep within to find the source of an issue. Popping a pill is not the answer.”
Want to assess your mental health? Check out https://testyourself.psychtests.com/testid/3897
Professional users of this test can download a sample report for this test or request a free demo for any assessment from ARCH Profile’s extensive battery: http://hrtests.archprofile.com/testdrive_gen_1
To learn more about psychological testing, download this free eBook: Spotting Diamonds in the Rough. (http://hrtests.archprofile.com/personality-tests-in-hr)
About PsychTests AIM Inc.
PsychTests AIM Inc. originally appeared on the internet scene in 1996. Since its inception, it has become a pre-eminent provider of psychological assessment products and services to human resource personnel, therapists, academics, researchers and a host of other professionals around the world. PsychTests AIM Inc. staff is comprised of a dedicated team of psychologists, test developers, researchers, statisticians, writers, and artificial intelligence experts (see ARCHProfile.com). The company’s research division, Plumeus Inc., is supported in part by Research and Development Tax Credit awarded by Industry Canada.
