Page 96 - (DK) Help Your Kids with Growing Up: A No-Nonsense Guide to Puberty and Adolescence

94 HEALTH Y MIND
94

Anxiety and depression SEE ALSO
‹
‹ 82–83 Positive mental health
84–85 Emotions
Anxiety and depression are the two most common forms of mental ‹ 92–93 Stress
illness. These conditions last longer and are more severe than Panic attacks and phobias 96–97 ›
feeling worried or sad about something.

Anxiety When anxiety is a problem
Feeling anxious is a normal response to any type of stress. It describes For some people, however, these anxious feelings do
the thoughts and feelings associated with being worried or afraid. not go away once the stressful event is over. If feelings
Although it usually feels unpleasant, anxiety is related to the “fight or of anxiety are very strong or overwhelming, last for a
flight” response, a biological reaction to life-threatening situations long time, or have an impact on their lifestyle, a teen’s
that humans, like all other animals, have in order to cope with danger. anxiety may have become unmanageable.

◁ Fight or flight
When threatened, the body
releases hormones that prepare
it to fight or flee. The heart beats
faster and the brain becomes ▷ Getting help
more alert. If anxious feelings start to
restrict a teen’s lifestyle,
it’s best to see a doctor.

Managing anxiety and depression
Just as there are ways to keep the body healthy, there are many
different steps teens can take to keep their minds healthy, too:
Mindfulness Get outside Friends and family
Yoga and Being outside Connecting with
meditation can in nature can others is a great
teach teens to help elevate a way to improve
focus on the teen’s mood. mental
present. well-being.

Exercise Be creative Stay healthy
and sport
Making things An active, healthy
Exercise causes and doing lifestyle helps
the brain to creative or crafty keep the mind
release activities boosts healthy, too.
endorphins, mood and gives
a natural a sense of
anti-depressant. satisfaction.

094-095_Anxiety_and_depression.indd 94 24/03/2017 17:17