Katie Barrett ‘27
You open your eyes, and you're in an extremely small and dark box. You hear the subtle sounds of people's voices from outside the box, but you can’t interpret what they are saying. You see a dim light just on the other side, but you can’t quite reach it because no one on the other side is helping you step out of the confined space. This is how many people with anxiety and depression feel every day. Anxiety and depression can feel like carrying an invisible weight on your shoulders. Simple tasks, such as making your bed, eating breakfast, and greeting people you know at school or your job, feel like an exhausting force. About one in five teens today suffer from anxiety and/or depression and are unsure of how to seek help (National Institute of Health). Left untreated, these disorders can affect long-term physical and mental health, which can ultimately result in death. Therefore, it is essential that we take notice of any signs or symptoms of anxiety or depression in our peers, even when their sign(s) may seem small or insignificant.
All aspects of health, whether it be physical, mental, emotional, or social, have an effect on each other. For example, depression can take a huge toll on your physical health. In Jonathan Rottenburg’s Depression: What Everyone Needs to Know, he delves into the connection between mind and body in his section, “The Consequences of Depression.” He writes, “In epidemiological studies, depression is consistently associated with cardiac problems, arthritis, asthma, cancer, diabetes, and chronic pain. Depression is associated not only with insomnia but also with other sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea” (Rottenburg 36). The physical health disadvantages that result from poor mental health may start off small, such as slight fatigue, loss of appetite, and body aches; however, these problems can grow rapidly. Even when treated, most symptoms don’t just “go away” because depression can not just “go away”. It is an ongoing, day-to-day struggle that must be taken care of quickly and addressed by healthcare professionals.
Similarly, anxiety and low self-esteem are closely related. Self-esteem influences who we think we are and who we think we should be. In Bronwyn Fox’s 2nd Edition: Power Over Panic, she explores the many smaller aspects that are related to anxiety disorders. In her section, “Self-esteem,” she writes, “Many of us have low self-esteem, and it is this low self-esteem and lack of a sense of self that ultimately underpin our panic attacks and anxiety. Healthy self-esteem and an anxiety disorder are mutually exclusive” (Bronwyn 9). A common stress that many teens share is the constant feeling that they aren’t enough. When you constantly tell yourself negative things, you will always feel negative about yourself, resulting in poor self-esteem. The easiest way to overcome poor self-esteem as a teenager is to simply talk about it with people you trust, especially other people your age. When teens talk about mental health and self-esteem with each other, it allows us to remember that we are not alone. Everyone has dealt with poor self-esteem, so talking about it with someone you trust and can relate to is extraordinarily important. If someone opens up to you about how they feel about themselves, be a good listener. Take in everything they say, and if something seems like a concern, then tell a trusted adult immediately. Symptoms can and do grow rapidly, which is why it is important not to ignore any small signs that you hear or see. It does not matter what aspect of health you see these signs in. People may make it clear in social settings that they have poor self-image and esteem, are sick or tired, or have many mood swings. The symptoms vary and change, so do not wait. Check in on your friends, your family, and anyone else in your life who you are close with before it is too late.