Disrupted routines and separation from friends, worrying about world events. The coronavirus pandemic adds new pressure to teen’s already tumultuous world. These stressors can intensify existing mental health issues in teens, and parents should be on the lookout for warning signs of depression and anxiety in teens.
For introverted teens, current events may bring about a sense of calm or relief. However, the extroverts are devastated by quarantine because they are the ones who tend to recharge with people.
Many healthcare professionals have suggested numerous ways to relieve this stress, and I would like to represent the following three methods to cope with stress.
- Plan safe ways for teens to engage socially. It may mean a hike where everyone can’t be that close to each other.
- Help them understand. Parents can talk with teens about the spread of the coronavirus and their risk.
- Engage them in the solution. If your teen sneaks out of the house to meet friends or engages in other risky behaviors, Dr. Rome at Cleveland Clinic suggests asking them to offer their punishment. This way, they’re more likely to think about the consequences of their actions. Ask them for other forms that have less impact on the household, extended family, and community.
Teenagers may feel incredibly frustrated if they observe their friends or other families who aren’t strict about social distancing. Encourage teens to share these frustrations with you and acknowledge that things are hard. In some cases, teens might have mixed feelings that result in an apparent cognitive dissonance.
Categories: Mental Health