THE mental disorders of the teenagers and some young adults are in alarming growth. They prove it continuous episodes of violence against peers and adults, but also against ourselves, which we are now used to witnessing every day while scrolling through the news. The latest is the case today February 5th. In a school in Varese, a 17-year-old stabbed his teacher during lessons, in class, in front of everyone. And then, just yesterday, yet another gang rape against a 13-year-old girl in Catania. But what is happening? What are the signs that parents and schools must observe in children to prevent new cases? We talked about it with Professor Claudio MencacciPsychiatrist, President of the Italian Society of Neuropsychopharmacology, Past President of the Italian Society of Psychiatry and President Onda Foundation.
Adolescents and increased aggression
A certain amount of aggression and desire for opposition are inherent to adolescence. But in cases like these we are well beyond the “normality” of a growing mind that is learning to modulate its impulses. «We have evidence that in the last 12-15 yearsamong the boys, there was one exponential growth of aggression directed both towards oneself and towards the outside. This data brings with it many defendants”, explains Professor Claudio Mencacci. The causes and responsibilities obviously do not depend only on those who carry out these violent gestures. The responsibility must be extended to society, which must take more decisive action for prevention.
The causes are multiple
Mental health disorders arise from a complex interaction of factors, from genetics to socioeconomic context, and then any childhood trauma, chronic diseases and substance abuse. Lack of physical activity and excessive use of social media are also widespread risk factors among young people. According to data shared by World Health Organization And Save The Childrenglobally one in seven adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 is struggling with a psychological disorderwith conditions such as depressionL’anxiety hey behavioral disorders.
Despite the alarming statistics, many psychological difficulties go unnoticed and untreated. This is why WHO emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis he was born in treatment of mental health problems encountered in adolescence, avoiding institutionalization and excessive medicalization.
The victims are increasingly women
«We are faced with a greater increased consumption of alcohol, substances, sleep difficulties, addictive use of smartphones. As well as a progressive increase in aggression towards the outside and especially towards the female gender”, adds Professor Mencacci. “More and more often we witness acts of violence committed by boys against girls or women, there is more violence against women.”
Discomfort or mental disorder?
«A situation of tension and collective aggression, extreme unpredictability of the future and fragmentation is growing. The factual data tells us that the majority of mental disorders (let’s not talk about discomfort but of real psychic disorders, what is should not be trivialized), appears in 48% of cases around the age of 18. We must understand that there istransition age 14 – 24 years which needs to be monitored more, given that mental disorders concern over 62%» explains Professor Mencacci.
A multidisciplinary approach is needed
«It’s not just a simple inconvenience, these behaviors are not only linked to the age of adolescence. Here we talk about acts of particularly explicit aggression. They are not impulsive acts because you don’t go out with a switchblade in your pocket. We are poorly prepared even though the scientific and clinical bases are more strengthened, we do not intervene, we hold interviews with psychologists, we play down but in reality we trivialize the mental state of young people. A conversation with the psychologist is not enough in these casesit takes a multidisciplinary treatment who takes care of the patient with extreme care.”
Prevention? We need synergy
«Prevention is possible, starting from the age of 12. But there are situations that require expertise. There are many indicators of a mental disorder: starting from familiarity, social and environmental conditions. But Prevention is not doneschool and family are unable to have real protection. There is a lack of synergy a social contract that presupposes that teachers and principals must be protected and guaranteed in their role”, adds Mencacci.
Mental health, lack of funding
«Institutions must invest in mental health. THE Mental health funding is the lowest in Europe, it is unacceptable. We talk about it but we don’t see the results. Public services are increasingly impoverished, we count on there being a contribution from this new professional figure present in the area (the basic psychologist). Nobody saves themselves, they are disorders that must be addressed by multidisciplinary, psychiatric, other professional figures with specific skills”, concludes Professor Mencacci.
The fundamental role of the psychiatrist
Often suffering is trivialized. We waste time, we run away from the idea that a child might suffer mentally. “And instead It is essential to seek advice from a psychiatrist in addition to a psychologist who knows how to recognize the pathologies that must then be followed up”, advises the expert.
If you notice that a teenager has one or more behaviors included among these 10 warning signs, it is advisable to consult a specialist. Depending on the persistence, intensity and number of symptoms, you should contact a psychologist, psychotherapist or a psychiatrist. They are both experts in the mental world, but with different skills that are often useful to integrate. The psycologist psychotherapist cannot prescribe drugs, antidepressants, anxiolytics, while the psychiatrist does. What’s important is that the two specialists consult each other to find, together, the most suitable treatment for each patient.
Adolescents and mental disorders: 10 signs to notice
To prevent dramatic situations and prevent adolescent distress from turning into a mental disorder, there are some signs that families and schools can observe. Here are the first warning signs to recognize psychological suffering or a possible mental disorder among adolescents, spread by Save The Children.
1. Social withdrawal and changes in relationships
If you notice that a teenager is withdrawing from his or her peer group or significantly changing his or her friendship circle, it may be a sign of psychological stress. Increasing isolation and distance from friends and family should be taken seriously.
2. Worsening of academic performance
While everyone may experience academic difficulties from time to time, a sudden and significant decline in academic performance it can be a wake-up call. This may indicate that the teen is facing emotional or mental difficulties that are affecting her performance.
3. Tiredness and loss of interest
It is normal for teenagers to need a lot of sleep and appear tired. However, if a young person is observed to show a radical loss of interest in activities they were passionate about, such as hobbies or sporting activities, it could indicate an underlying problem of stress or mental disorder.
4. Difficulty concentrating and memory
Concentration problems, memory loss or thoughts that are incomprehensible to others may be indicators of psychological stress. These symptoms can make it difficult for the adolescent to participate effectively in daily and academic activities.
5. Changes in appearance and behavior
Changes in personal appearance, such as a reduction in personal care (neglected hygiene or clothing), can be attributable to signs of mental health problems. Furthermore, the rapid and exaggerated mood swingsas well as i unusual or illogical behavior, should be kept under close observation.
6. Sleep disorders
«The quality of sleep is also an important indicator for understanding the state of mental health of an adolescent», explains Professor Mencacci. Difficulty falling asleep, sleepless nights tossing and turning in bed, continuous awakenings, nightmares, altered sleep/wake rhythm. “These are all disorders that worsen the quality of life and which, if not treated in time, can become chronic and lead to other disorders.”
7. Nicotine very early
«Cigarette smoking, in addition to being harmful to lung and cardiovascular health, especially at a young age is a sign to pay attention to, especially if it becomes an addiction», warns Mencacci.
8. Use and abuse of alcohol
Even frequent use of alcohol can be a warning sign that should not be underestimated, both for physical and mental health. «A sign of addiction that must be treated in time», warns the expert.
9. Use and abuse of Cannabis
Regular intake of substances such as cannabis can negatively affect the tissue structure of the brain. And alter behavior. The cannabis plant contains over 400 chemical substances, called cannabinoids, many of which are psychoactive and they act altering dopamine levels in the brain. Among these, the most psychoactive is delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is found in the resin of the plant.
10. Watch your smartphone
Everyone has it, everyone uses it, even from the first months of life, despite the recommendations of international studies. «But especially in adolescence, the excessive use of smartphones makes one become apathetic, distant from relationships. The scientific data proves it”, explains Mencacci.
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