Adolescence is a stressful time for many kids. Stress in teens has been linked to withdrawal, aggression, risky behavior, and substance abuse. A recent study from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, published in the journal Science, helps shed some light on why mental illness in young adults is so common and how it occurs. Working with young mice known to have genes for mental illness, researchers were able to trigger signs and symptoms of mental illness by exposing the mice to stress. RELATED: The United States of Stress “Having the genes for mental illness puts the mice at risk, but it is not enough to cause mental illness,” says Akira Sawa, MD, PhD, a psychiatry professor and director of the schizophrenia center at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore and lead researcher on the study. “When you add stress to the equation, at an age when the mouse brain is most similar to the human adolescent brain, the mental illness is triggered.” How Stress Triggers Mental Illness in Young Adults In the mouse study, the researchers introduced stress by isolating the mice that were genetically at risk for mental illness from other mice. They were able to show that isolation caused the release of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol affects levels of another brain chemical called dopamine. Changes in dopamine levels are seen in schizophrenia, depression, and other mental disorders. “I think most clinicians would agree that adolescent stress can cause major changes in adult brains,” Dr. Sawa says. “The adolescent brain is at a unique stage of development. It is a time when the brain is very sensitive and in the process of forming its wiring network.” Adolescent brains may be more sensitive to the stress hormone cortisol and may feel its effects more quickly. The part of the brain that is responsible for shutting down the stress response, called the prefrontal cortex, is less developed in adolescents, so stress may also be experienced for longer periods. “Among the most common types of mental illness in young adults that may be triggered by stress are schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, and substance abuse,” says Sawa. Sources of Stress in Troubled Teens “Common stressors in teens include social stress, isolation, traumatic events, and drug use,” says Sawa. Some other major sources of stress are:
Demands of school or workUnsafe living conditionsUnstable home environmentBullyingObesityChronic illnessOverly high expectationsNegative thoughts and self-doubt
Warnings of stress overload in teens can include headaches or frequent sickness, withdrawal from friends and activities, changes in sleeping and eating, anger, irritability, and hopelessness. The biggest risk from stress overload and mental illness in young adults is suicide, the third leading cause of death in young adults. Tips for Coping With Teen Stress The good news is that the changes in the adolescent brain that make it vulnerable to stress can also make it resistant to stress. Because the adolescent brain is constantly developing new pathways, it can learn healthy ways to cope with stress. Here are some tips:
Don’t ignore symptoms of depression or anxiety. Talk with someone.Learn stress reduction techniques. These can include deep breathing; progressive muscle relaxation; and creative activities like music, writing, and art.Exercise regularly, don’t skip meals, and get enough sleep – all great healthy lifestyle habits.Avoid high-caffeine drinks, drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.Replace negative self-talk with positive self-talk.Set realistic goals and break down tasks into manageable bites. Avoid pressure from high expectations.Avoid people, places, and things that cause stress. Surround yourself with supportive friends and healthy activities.
Stress can be a trigger for severe depression in teens and may trigger mental illness in young adults who are vulnerable. The adolescent brain is more sensitive to stress hormones and can suffer damage from stress that lasts into adulthood. On the other hand, because the adolescent brain is developing so rapidly, good habits for coping with stress also can last into adulthood.
