“Mental illness feels like you’re fighting an invisible war constantly. Thing is, you’re in this war and you can’t tell where the next attack is going to come from, or even when”-Isabel Erroa. Teens today are facing more stress than they ever have before, they are put through new challenges daily, and even more are suffering from mental disorders than ever before. One of the biggest issues facing teens today is mental disorders. Depression is one of the two major mental disorders facing teens. “Depression is characterized by more extreme feelings of hopelessness, sadness, isolation, worry, withdrawal, and worthlessness that last for two weeks or more” (Walker). Every teen experiences disappointments and failures, which lead to typical …show more content…
Teens who attempt suicide also have an “additional five “bad” events on their list: parents’ divorce, loss of a close friend, change to a new school, failing grades and personal illness or injury” (Walker). Not all cases are caused by these events in a teens life, and some may go through such events and never face depression. But these events defined can be related to the start of depression. The other major mental disorder facing teens is anxiety. There are many types of anxiety that affect teens. They include: “Panic Disorder- Spontaneous and unpredictable intense panic attacks, paired with the ongoing fear of the next episode. Social Anxiety Disorder- The overwhelming fear of being judged and scrutinized, preventing victims from engaging in social or performance activities. Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder- Constant, intrusive thoughts that cause repeated and ritualistic behaviors and routines. Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder- Debilitating depression, anxiety or mental blockages following one’s experience in …show more content…
Similar to other mental disorders, “There is no one specific cause for GAD- multiple genetic and environmental causes play a role and it is not caused by the usual stress of everyday life” (“Generalized Anxiety Disorder”). People without a form of anxiety only feel anxious in the presence of danger. “ [But] a person with GAD constantly feels tense and on edge, even when there is no danger present” (“Generalized Anxiety Disorder”). Stress can cause lots of issues for teens. It is not just a simple teen issue, it is war with