Survey: Anxiety and depression becoming more common in teens

Studies from the Family Psychological Services in Petoskey, Michigan show that more teens are suffering from anxiety, depression and eating disorders, according to Petoskey News.

The survey reveals that nearly two out of three children indicated stress, pressure to succeed, low self-esteem and not fitting in with other students as the greatest factors causing anxiety in their lives. Experts say that a competitive society has contributed to these negative experiences in teens.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that individuals who suffer from anxiety often exhibit excessive and irrational dread in everyday situations.

Furthermore, researchers told the news source that children who balance school, sports, extracurricular activities, relationships and jobs are more likely to experience depression and anxiety because they have no free time for self-discovery.

Programs for troubled teens can help those who suffer from anxiety and depressive disorders by providing education that promotes healthy choices.

According to a recent report by NIMH, nearly 40 million people in the U.S. suffer from anxiety disorders. Furthermore, depressive disorders affect approximately 14.8 million individuals per year.