According to a study published in the renowned scientific journal 'The Lancet Psychiatry', 75% of teenagers in Australia struggle with anxiety and depression. 64% of adults between the ages of 10 and 18 have experienced poor mental health more than three times. The study has been conducted by Murdoch Children's Research Institute, a well-known research institute for children. The study also notes that strategies for prevention rather than clinical care are needed in these cases.
According to a study published in the 'Indian Journal of Psychiatry' in 2019, more than 5 crore children in India were suffering from mental health problems. Most of these children were dealing with anxiety and depression. According to UNICEF, after the corona epidemic, these figures may have increased more than before.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from anxiety and 280 million from depression. Currently, this problem is very prevalent among teenagers and young adults.
So, today' Health water ' we will talk about depression and anxiety. You will also know that-
- How to recognize someone's anxiety or depression?
- What does it have to do with fast food, sugary drinks and social media?
- What changes can relieve anxiety and depression?
Preventive measures are urgently needed
According to Professor Susan Sawyer of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, the study on adolescent mental health is pointing to a bigger problem.
Emotional and behavioral changes occur
Adolescent depression and anxiety continue to be a serious mental health problem. This changes the way children think, feel and behave. If we pay a little attention, we can identify the problem of anxiety or depression in teenagers. Finding this out can help them.
Behavior changes
If a person is suffering from anxiety or depression then its effects start to show in their behavior. We can help by recognizing it. Look at the graphic to see what kind of changes occur:
What are the main causes of anxiety and depression in teenagers?
Dr. Satyakant Trivedi says that boys and girls undergo many hormonal and physical changes during adolescence. At the same time, they also have to go through the pressure of board exams and the difficulties of choosing a course for their career. If they do not get the right environment at home and school, these pressures turn into anxiety and depression. These reasons have become a topic of discussion on TV and in newspapers so that most of the people have become familiar with it.
However, there are also many reasons that people do not pay attention to. Fast food, sugary drinks and social media, which have become part of our daily habits, are also causing anxiety and depression. Let's see.
Unhealthy eating habits have an impact
According to a study published in the year 2024 in the National Library of Medicine, eating junk food, ultra-processed food and fast food increases the risk of anxiety and depression many times over. Adults are most at risk because they are the biggest users of fast food and ultra-processed food.
Excessive sugary drinks increase the risk of depression
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2022, the consumption of sugar or sugary drinks is a leading cause of poor mental health in teenagers. All drinks available in the name of energy drinks or cold drinks can cause anxiety and depression.
Depression is on the rise due to screen time and social media
According to a study published in the scientific journal Frontiers in 2023, teenagers who spent more than 7 hours a day on screens were more than twice as likely to suffer from depression than other teenagers. It was also found that if a person spends an hour a day on social media, the symptoms of depression increase by 40% every year.
Inactivity increases depression
According to a study published in BMC Medicine in 2010, boys and girls who did not participate in any kind of sports or physical activities. They are more likely to suffer from depression. It was also found that 1 hour of exercise or physical activity per day reduced the risk of depression or anxiety by 95%.
Small changes will have a big impact
Dr. Satyakant Trivedi says that anxiety and depression are major mental health problems. So, we look for solutions to treat it. Sometimes very small changes can solve big problems. It is true that there is no sure way to avoid mental health problems. Despite this, we can take some steps. It does not require much effort. For this, very small lifestyle changes have to be made by strategizing:
1. Pay attention to the child's diet and routine. Tell them the benefits of a balanced and healthy diet and motivate them to follow it regularly.
2. Wake up in the morning and go for a walk or jog with the kids. After this, give them a chance to play some outdoor games in the evening.
3. Quality sleep is very important for good mental health. For this, make sure that the child is getting enough sleep of 7 hours every day.
4. We cannot keep teenagers away from screens and social media. Teach them internet and social media literacy to use it. Make it a habit to set a time for its use.
5. Never burden your children with your expectations. Monitor their performance. After this, identify their weaknesses and strengths and help them strategically.
6. Provide your child with an environment where he does not hesitate to share his feelings with friends and family.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
