Anxiety and depression is rising among teenagers - new research reveals
A review published last month in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry examined data across 12 countries.  It found an increase in anxiety and depression in teenagers across Northern Europe, the UK and China. The number of older adolescent girls having mental health issues was double that of boys. Teenage girls in Northern Europe, the UK and China in particular are experiencing an increase in mental health problems.
It appears that the exact reasons for the difference in results across genders was not entirely clear, but are most likely tied in with education and cultural pressures. What is very clear from the review is that girls have almost double the anxiety and worries as boys. Boys are affected but not as much as girls.
The studies leader, Dr William Bor from the University of Queensland, stated, 'There appears to be increasing school distress amongst girls as they negotiate their way through the last parts of their school careers. They face difficult choices and pressures, and the modern education system appears to be more problematic for girls – so the issue there is the stress of making future decisions and how they cope with them.'
Culture is also believed to play an important role on mental health issues within women and girls, some of whom struggle with identity and appearance issues. 'There is a lot of speculation about the pressure on girls in terms of early sexualisation and concerns they have about body image. 'Culture has high expectation on girls in terms of appearance and weight,' Dr Bor continued. It appears that many factors are most likely to be leading to the growing problem across the world.
A third factor was identified – that of economic inequality, and that may include increasing pressures at school as well.
Each country seems to have its own pressures exerted on young people, and as China is included in these findings, it is not a Western phenomenon.
It is apparent that the school factor is the common denominator and the most likely factor across the multiple countries. Dr. Bor acknowledged that one of the odd things that the study revealed is that America is not showing this increasing trend.
In conclusion, Dr Bor recommends that parents, peers and medical professionals receive more education about depression and anxiety, including prevention programs being placed in high schools, in order to increase the chances of successful prevention and early intervention.
For people who interested in furthering their knowledge in this important field, ADL provides an online diploma course, Adolescent Psychology. Students of this course can explore the subject in some depth, with the support of a tutor, and gain understanding, contributing as a force for positive development in young people.
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