There has been an alarming increase in the number of young females requiring prescriptions for depression and anxiety in recent years, with the rates skyrocketing since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a new study in the journal Pediatrics:
"Antidepressant dispensing to adolescents and young adults was rising before the COVID-19 outbreak and rose 63.5% faster afterward. This change was driven by increased antidepressant dispensing to females and occurred despite decreased dispensing to male adolescents."
Dr. Betsy Kennard, a licensed pediatric psychologist at Children's Health and a professor at UT Southwestern, shared insights on this troubling trend.
"The rates of depression have been rising really since 2009. In 2009, it was around 8% across both genders and then now almost 16%. So it's doubled in a 10-year period," Dr. Kennard explained. "There's been a 12% increase in that time in girls, whereas only a 4% increase in boys."
Warning signs of mental health disorders in teenagers, regardless of gender, are important to recognize.
"What we look for is a change in their behavior and their thinking," Dr. Kennard emphasized. "Sometimes it is that they withdraw more. They have a sleep disturbance. Their grades drop in school. They lose motivation for activities, so they may drop out of things that they used to enjoy."
Dr. Kennard outlined ways in which parents can support their child's mental health.
"I think the very number one thing they can do is increase communication. Check with those kids. Ask them about sadness. Ask them whether they have ever felt so sad that they want to die," she said. "I think a lot of times, one of the protective factors for kids against suicidal ideation or even depression is social connectedness at school."
Big takeaways:
1. Rates of depression have been on the rise, with a significant increase among teenage girls.
2. The warning signs of a mental health disorder in teenagers may include changes in behavior, sleep disturbances, a decline in academic performance, loss of motivation for activities, and mood changes such as sadness or irritability. It is crucial for parents to recognize and address these signs proactively.
3. Communication and social connectedness are vital in supporting a teenager's mental health. Parents can play a key role by increasing communication with their children, discussing sensitive topics such as suicidal ideation, and maintaining family activities to foster a sense of connectedness and support.
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