Adolescent anxiety – a contemporary challenge for mental health

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical stage of development, marked by biological, cognitive, and social changes. Anxiety disorders affect approximately 31.9% of adolescents worldwide. The importance of understanding and addressing these issues is the increase in the incidence of cases in recent years. Determining the prevalence, impact and early symptoms in adolescents, for timely intervention, which can prevent progression to more severe forms and long-term consequences. An extensive review of the specialized literature was conducted by evaluating articles from the last 5 years published in internationally recognized medical databases, such as PubMed, NCBI, Medscape, The Journal of Pediatrics, WHO, as well as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). The prevalence of anxiety disorders increases significantly after the age of 12, with a peak incidence between 14-17 years. It has a multifactorial etiology: genetic factors (family predisposition); environmental factors (academic stress, family conflicts), excessive use of social media, the COVID-19 pandemic. Common symptoms are: excessive fear, avoidance of social situations, irritability, sleep problems, and difficulty concentrating. Intervention methods include: CBT, SSRIs in moderate/severe cases, education. In the absence of adequate treatment, these symptoms can lead to social isolation and other mental disorders, such as depression. Anxiety is a common mental disorder among adolescents, having a significant impact on their social and emotional functioning. It is essential to address it early, with family support and the inclusion of psychological services in schools, in order to be prevented as early as possible.