Test your knowledge of common mental health issues among young people.
Are you worried that your friend or family member has a mental health issue?
You may be right. Mental health problems affect about 1 in 10 people under the age of 18. They include depression, anxiety and eating disorders to name a few and are often a direct response to what is happening in their lives. Take this short quiz to learn more about signs and symptoms of common behavioral health concerns. To learn more about these common concerns and to find resources available from Providence and Kadlec health, visit: We know things can be hard and we want to help, so come #Work2BeWell with us and let us support you.
Question 1/8
True or False, all of these are signs of depression in young people: Moodiness, withdrawing from family and friends, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, difficulty concentrating and feeling lonely.
THE ANSWER IS TRUE.
It’s not always easy to recognize the signs of depression in young people The occasional bad mood or outburst is normal, however depression is different and can lead to long term changes in personality, mood and behavior. To see a full lesson on anxiety and depression, click here #Work2BeWell from Providence and Kadlec is here to help you whenever you need it. To learn more about our services and to find helpful resources, visit:
https://work2bewell.org/curriculum/anxiety-depression/
Question 2/8
True or False, all of these are signs of anxiety in young people Avoiding social interaction, skipping school, spending time alone changes in eating habits, unexplained aches and pains.
Anxiety in teenagers is increasingly common. In fact, about 32 percent of American teens between 13 and 18 have an anxiety disorder at some point. It’s not always easy to tell when typical teen stress crosses over into anxiety but those with an anxiety disorder usually experience particularly high levels of anxiety that get worse over time, rather than improving on their own. To see a full lesson on anxiety and depression, click here #Work2BeWell from Providence and Kadlec is here to help you whenever you need it. To learn more about our services and to find helpful resources, visit:
Question 3/8
True or False, all of these are signs of eating disorders in young people: Skipping meals, overeating, frequent weighing, extreme weight change, skin rashes, toothaches, high interest in exercise, constipation, fear of eating in front of others and distorted body image.
Eating disorders are illnesses that affect a person’s relationship with food and body image. Teens with eating disorders have excessive thoughts of food, their body weight or shape, and how to control their intake of food. This includes Anorexia nervosa (weight loss by extreme dieting, starvation, or too much exercise), Binge eating (consuming an unusually large amount of food in one sitting) and Bulimia nervosa (purging, taking laxatives, exercising, or fasting to avoid weight gain after binge eating). #Work2BeWell from Providence and Kadlec is here to help you whenever you need it. To learn more about our services and to find helpful resources, visit:
Question 4/8
True or False, all of these are signs of substance abuse in young people: Bad grades, laughing for no reason, poor hygiene, loss of interest in activities, secretive behavior, avoiding eye contact, frequent hunger, unusual tiredness, poor grades, memory problems, irritability or hostility.
Many teens have a tough time dealing with sadness or other stresses common during adolescence. It is understandable that they may think having a drink or a little marijuana can offer relief. The best way to deal with stress, however, is to seek emotional support or find someone to talk to because 70% of youth who try an illegal drug before age 13 develop a substance abuse disorder compared to 27% who try an illegal drug after age 17. Every year substance use is delayed during adolescent brain development, the risk of addiction and substance abuse decreases. #Work2BeWell from Providence and Kadlec is here to help you whenever you need it. To learn more about our services and to find helpful resources, visit:
Question 5/8
True or False, all of these are signs of social media addiction in young people: Being anxious if not near their phone, frequently referencing social media in normal conversation, significant weight loss, new sleep issues, neglecting school work, isolation, ignoring real life problems, distancing from loved ones, oversharing and cyberstalking.
THE ANSWER IS FALSE.
Though most of the signs are true, studies do not show significant weight loss is a common sign of social media addiction. With social media addiction affecting roughly 50% of teens and people under age 17 self reporting that they spend over six hours a day on social media apps, this problem is becoming even more common. Social media can reinforce one’s sense of self and teens are especially susceptible because their social media life is validated by their peers. #Work2BeWell from Providence and Kadlec is here to help you whenever you need it. To learn more about our services and to find helpful resources, visit:
Question 6/8
True or False, all of these are signs of gender dysphoria in young people: Self harm (cutting, burning), depression, low self esteem, avoiding activities that require them to be seen naked, dressing or altering outward apperance to pass as another gender, social isolation, and anxiety when being included in social activities.
When a teen is uncomfortable or feels unhappy with his or her physical sex, they are likely suffering from gender dysphoria. This condition often manifests in children as young as two to four years of age as a desire to be, or a belief that he or she is of the opposite sex. Unfortunately, teens experiencing gender dysphoria are 50% more likely to attempt suicide and 30% more likely to develop a substance abuse or eating disorder so it’s very important to help them find support resources as early as possible. #Work2BeWell from Providence and Kadlec is here to help you whenever you need it. To learn more about our services and to find helpful resources, visit:
Question 7/8
True or False, all of these are signs of Self Harm disorders Noticeable or unexaplained wounds, wearing long sleeve clothing at inappropriate times, avoidance of social situations, sudden mood changes lack of motivation, over eating and impulsiveness.
Though most of the signs are true, studies do not show over eating as a common sign of self harm disorder. Self-harm disorder is when one causes physical harm to themselves without the intention of completing suicide. Cutting and burning are the two most common types and are more common in young people due to underlying emotional pain and a lack of coping skills. Self-harm behaviors commonly occur with other mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders and substance abuse disorders #Work2BeWell from Providence and Kadlec is here to help you whenever you need it. To learn more about our services and to find helpful resources, visit:
Question 8/8
True or False, all of these are signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Trouble concentrating, feeling anxious, nightmares and flashbacks, emotional numbness, inability to form relationships, panic attacks, sleeping issues, irritable or aggressive behavior, difficulty focusing or making decisions.
Over two thirds of people under the age of 17 have experienced a traumatic event and almost 15% of them go on to develop PTSD. Causes in teens may include accidents, natural disasters, fires, crimes, school shootings, childhood abuse, the loss of a parent or other family member and other tragedies. These traumatic experiences are accompanied by feelings of fear, horror, and helplessness. #Work2BeWell from Providence and Kadlec is here to help you whenever you need it. To learn more about our services and to find helpful resources, visit:
We’re here for you.
No one expects you to be an expert on mental health. But you should know where to go to learn the signs and to find assistance. Because at Providence and Kadlec, we know knowledge is power and we want to #Work2BeWell with you.
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There’s always more to learn.
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Awesome job.
It looks like you care a lot about mental health. So you probably know the value of expert care focused specifically on youth. At Providence and Kadlec, we know knowledge is power and we want to #Work2BeWell with you and make resources available for you and your family and friends.
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