Discussing Anxiety With Parents
There’s a wide variety of anxiety disorders, and research shows that almost 32% of teens struggle with anxiety. For this reason, if you have anxiety, know that you’re not alone in your experiences – but that it’s also important to talk about what you’re going through.
Following the steps to starting the mental health conversation that we just discussed can be very helpful in talking about your anxiety with your parents. But it’s also good to be aware that your anxiety can make starting this conversation more difficult.
You might worry about being judged or feel like you’ll be a burden to your parents. All families go through a certain amount of stress, but your mental health takes priority. Pick a moment when things feel calm and explain how your worries are affecting your life.
You could explain to your parents that you think therapy could help. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular form of therapy for anxiety, as it assists teens in pinpointing their inaccurate beliefs and how these affect their actions. CBT also helps teens to learn healthy ways of coping with their feelings.
How to Talk About Depression With Parents
Talking about depression with parents can be particularly challenging. The symptoms of depression can lead a teen to feel hopeless about their recovery, so they may lack motivation to talk about what they’re going through. If this is the case for you, understand that these feelings are the result of your condition.
Research by the National Institute of Mental Health shows that roughly five million teens in the U.S. have had at least one episode of depression. However, seeking support means that depression can be treated and teens can recover. Yet, if teens don’t seek help for their depression, their symptoms can worsen, impacting their mental and physical health, as well as outcomes for the future.7
If you’re struggling with feelings of depression, remember that you can recover – and deserve to. Talking about what you’re going through is the first step toward getting the help you need. Following the steps for starting the mental health conversation discussed previously can help.
You can also learn about the types of therapy used to treat depression and discuss these options with your parents. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) are all effective therapy options for treating depression.
Approaching the conversation about your mental health with your parents is a big sign of strength and willingness to recover. However, you may not be able to control their reactions. In such situations, it’s important that you continue trying to get the help you need. A mental health advocate may be able to support you – let’s discuss what mental health advocates are next.
