Overview
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14. Anxiety disorders often begin in late childhood, and mood disorders often begin in late adolescence. Unfortunately, many young people experience a long delay between the onset of their symptoms and when they eventually seek treatment. This delay can be decades long. Without prompt treatment, however, sufferers can experience varying levels of disability, and illnesses can become more severe and more difficult to treat. MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION FOR TEENS, Second Edition provides updated information about mental and emotional health in teens. It describes mental wellness and offers tips for maintaining self-esteem, developing healthy relationships, managing anger, handling stress, and coping with other difficulties teens often face. It describes the symptoms and most common treatments used for depression and other mood disorders, phobias and other anxiety disorders, self-injury and other disorders related to behavior and personality, and psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia. The book also addresses other issues that can impact mental wellness in teens, including learning disabilities, bullying, dating violence, child abuse, substance abuse, and suicide. Directories of resources for more information and suggestions for additional reading about mental wellness and mental illness are also included.
