Teen Anxiety Research

Words: 1404
Pages: 6

In 2001, the mother of a girl, known as MissT. a fifteen-year-old high schooler, found her daughter almost dead, surrounded by her own vomit in her room. MissT.’s suicide note was found on her bedside table where it explained that she had taken more than 200 over the counter and prescription medication pills in an attempt of suicide. As she received treatment at a psychiatric unit, MissT. explained how she had been struggling with depression for about a year. Her mother had no idea (Lukonis 302). Annually, over five thousand teens commit suicide in the United States (Anderson 3). The lives of teenagers are hard enough as it is, with their bodies and minds growing, the pressure from social media to be perfect, and the push to get good grades; …show more content…
The most common form being general anxiety. Other forms of anxiety are obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias, social anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (Jacqueline 60). As the pressure of school, social life, and other factors have intensified, the number of teenagers diagnosed with anxiety has risen. Anxiety can be defined as an overwhelming feeling of stress. Side effects of anxiety can be are shaky hands, constantly feeling on edge, muscle tension, and many others. Due to anxiety for some, a panic attack may occur (Jacqueline 60). With a mind that is always worried and filled with fear some think the only way to end the suffering is with suicide. With the number of sixteen to twenty-four year olds with anxiety rising, it is hard for parents to keep up with what their children may be going …show more content…
After she and her mother had reached out for help and treatment she was diagnosed with depression. Jane remarks, “I tried hard to pretend that everything was normal, but when I was alone I'd cry for hours.”(72) She began seeing a new doctor who prescribed a new medication that would help with the depression as well. As Jane brought the monster of anxiety and depression out into the light she began to feel better. She has started enjoying life again and she claims, “What's also helpful is talking about my feelings instead of pretending I have no problems. I now see the world as positive, and while I still have bouts of anxiety, I know that I can have a normal life” (Jane