Our day-to-day lives haven’t been the same since the situation caused by the novel coronavirus first began. And while the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on nearly everyone, it has been particularly hard on teens and adolescents.
It’s important to check in on your child from time to time to see if the pandemic has affected their mental health. Getting them professional support at the first signs of a mental health condition can help them continue to enjoy their teenage years despite the COVID-19 restrictions.
How COVID-19 Affects Teens & Adolescents
The stay-at-home orders haven’t just kept teens and adolescents out of school; they’ve also kept young people from experiencing some major milestones. Today’s youths missed prom, their final days as high school seniors, and their graduation ceremonies.
But there are also subtler ways the pandemic has affected young people. They’ve lost regular face-to-face interactions with their closest friends, along with opportunities to socialize with people they’re not necessarily friends with but who are part of their school community.
Young people are used to school days that are abuzz with chatter they can either absorb or take part in. But teens and adolescents are now searching for ways to fill the silence of social isolation as they look toward an uncertain future, and many are feeling lonely, scared, anxious, and depressed.
Recognizing Mental Health Disorders in Teens & Adolescents
Given that young people are already going through a stage of their development that can make it difficult for them to manage their emotions and behaviors, how do you know if your child is just suffering from teenage angst or if their mental health has been affected by the situation caused by the novel coronavirus?
Some changes in behavior that happen quickly, all at once, or are persistent could be warning signs that your child needs professional help for a mental health concern such as depression or an anxiety disorder. Examples include:
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Stomachaches or changes in appetite
- Doesn’t want to socialize with friends or family
- Sudden drop in grades or motivation to do schoolwork
- Struggles to get quality sleep
- Sudden weight loss or gain
- Constantly talks negatively about themselves
Depression and anxiety disorders can sometimes look different in teens and adolescents than they do in adults, so paying close attention to your child’s specific behaviors and emotions can help you determine if you should seek professional help.
Talking to Your Child About Their Mental Health
Although it can be difficult to get a teen or adolescent to open up about their feelings, staying in communication with your child is more important than ever to ensure that they get the support they need during such challenging times.
If you’re concerned that your child might be struggling with depression or an anxiety disorder, make sure that you choose a good time to talk to them. Trying to start a conversation when they’re doing something they enjoy or after you’ve just had a heated conversation most likely won’t lead to a productive chat.
Try to state facts about the symptoms and behaviors you’ve noticed rather than make assumptions about how your child is feeling. It’s also important to validate their experiences and emphasize just how much you care about their well-being.
Having these conversations might be tough, but they can help you support your child through these uncertain times.