Exploring how mental health problems in teenagers can be triggered by peer pressure and the need to fit in within the crowds, and how can parents be better equipped to deal with this?
Teenagers are exposed to constant pressure, be it academic, physical, social, or familial. They feel like they are constantly being judged and watched. They are at a time where they are expected to mold their character and become more independent. While it can be a joyful journey for some, it gets daunting and stressful for many. They feel like they do not belong and are constantly messing up. Teenagers also feel like they are under constant scrutiny from their peers to look and behave in a certain way, sometimes going against their values.
When dealing with teenagers, parents are taught that their children are going to go through several phases. The teenagers will do their best to fit in their surroundings due to peer pressure, even when this might mean that things will go against their personal beliefs. Therefore, parents sometimes think that their teenagers are simply growing up when they go through periods of dramatic weight loss or sadness. To them, it is a phase their children will grow out of. Nevertheless, most of the time parents do instruct their children not to succumb to peer pressure because they know there is nothing more beautiful than having an authentic identity. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done.
Peer pressure is often underestimated and its magnitude is not taken into consideration. Teenagers want to be part of the status quo and do not wish to deter from what their friends are doing. As such, they feel compelled to adhere to the norms of their surroundings. Often, their desire to fit in grows out of hand leading to mental disorders including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Therefore, parents need to become more tentative to the mental development of their children growing up.
When peer pressure reaches a certain peak where the teenager feels like they are forced to act in a way that they do not feel comfortable behaving in, many issues arise. For instance, the teenager begins to suffer from anxiety and low self-esteem. Going through many strong emotions can cause fluctuations in mood, which can lead to depression. Depression is way more than simply feeling blue or having a bad day. It is a mental health issue that impacts the person’s life greatly. It can negatively impact their academic performance, social activity, and lead to unsafe behavior such as inflicting self-harm and in severe cases, suicide. As such, parents should not simply assume that any new attitude from their child is caused by hormonal changes. It is important for parents to detect signs in their children in order to help them at early stages.
Signs of teen mental health problems could include changes in eating and sleeping behaviors, lack of interest in their once favorite activities, isolation, being unbothered, sudden loss in weight and grades, constant sadness, low energy, and irritability. More than just noticing the signs, parents should play an active role in being physically and emotionally present for their children. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reported that parental support could assist in impeding the escalation of mental disorders in their children. Honest and open communication is a crucial step to tackle any feelings of anxiety or pressure to fit in. Parents should also actively teach their children to be assertive in cases of potentially dangerous activities. Additionally, children should be taught to develop self-love and self-confidence, as this could assist greatly in cases of vulnerability. While teenagers do go through many phases, their parents have an active role to play guiding their children and assisting them to deal with their emotions before they escalate further.
It is also important to take into account the gendered nature of mental disorders. According to the National Institute of Health[1], more girls suffer from mental disorders due to peer pressure than boys. During teenage years, girls become more preoccupied with how peers look at them, whereas boys are more concerned about their status within the group’s hierarchy.
This article has been written as part of The UAE Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism sponsored by Al Jalila Foundation.
P.S. If you’re facing any sort of mental health issue problems, please refer to this post for suggestions on how to get help.
References:
[1] https://www.opposingviews.com/i/peer-pressure-affects-mental-health-of-girls-more-than-boys
