Crisis in Mental Health Among Adolescents

Introduction

Psychiatry Redefined was established to address the inadequacies in the conventional approach to mental health care. The latest CDC survey on children’s mental health highlights the failure of our current approach to treatment. Functional Psychiatry, which provides a more comprehensive assessment and treatment of the underlying causes of mental illness, is the foundation of our approach.

Youth Mental Health Concerns Rise Due to Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on adolescents’ mental health, with rates of mental illness and concerns over them increasing. Research shows alarming trends, and the CDC’s recent release of the “Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011–2021” highlights some of the most troubling findings. Measures of youth mental health were all worse or unchanged, with adolescent girls being particularly affected.

Physiological Causes of Mental Illness in Teens

Mental illness is complex and can be caused by various factors, including nutritional deficiencies, toxicities, chronic infections, genetic factors, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, microbiota disruptions, and psychosocial issues. Ignoring these underlying complexities and relying solely on medication and counseling is insufficient. For instance, treatment for disruptive behavior disorder (DBD) is poorly characterized, with a focus on treating comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and Coping Power psychotherapy programs. However, research on micronutrient approaches for the treatment of DBD shows promise.

ADHD

Similarly, ADHD is often treated with medications, but data suggests nutrient deficiencies and dietary components that contribute to the condition. While medication treatment has its place, ignoring these underlying physiological components hinders treatment and reduces positive outcomes.

We Can Do Better

Psychiatry Redefined offers training to healthcare providers on a more effective, comprehensive approach to mental health care. Our tools and understanding can help expand your practice through cutting-edge, research-based functional medicine evaluation and treatment. We offer free webinars on disruptive behavior disorder and a three-month ADHD intensive that provides a comprehensive analysis of the biochemistry underlying the disorder and corresponding treatment strategies. Our Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Redefined conference from 2021 includes presentations from several expert speakers, offering clinical pearls for treating mental health disorders in young people.

Conclusion

Today’s youth need our support more than ever. Through the practice of Functional Medicine, we can better address the youth mental health crisis threatening our adolescents and children. With Functional Psychiatry, we can start to make more of a difference.