Mental Ailments like Phobias and Anxiety go Untreated in Teens

A study brings to light that more than half teenagers suffering from mental ailments and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and phobias go untreated.

The study was carried out by the researchers of the Duke University, with E. Jane Costello, a Duke University professor of psychology and epidemiology and associate director of the Duke Center for Child and Family Policy, as the lead author.

Above 10,000 Americans adolescents were examined by the researchers. This study also brought into view that treatment provided to the children was usually not by a professional.

"It's still the case in this country that people don't take psychiatric conditions as seriously as they should," Costello said in a news release. "This, despite the fact that these conditions are linked to a whole host of other problems."

Costello found that all the teens suffered differently. It was observed that the children who suffered from anxiety disorders and phobias weren't usually treated. On the other hand, adolescents diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder were treated more than 70 percent of the times.

 Another thing noted by the researchers was that the white youths got treatment whereas such ailments were ignored in black youths.

"The care that teenagers received also varied greatly. In many cases, care was provided by pediatricians, school counselors or probation officers rather than by people with specialized mental health training. There simply are not enough qualified child mental health professionals to go around," Costello said. 

"We need to train more child psychiatrists in this country," Costello said. "And those individuals need to be used strategically, as consultants to the school counselors and others who do the lion's share of the work." 

This study highlighted the importance of getting checked by professional psychiatrists to cure mental illnesses. The importance of spotting mental illnesses and early treatment to maintain mental health, especially in teenagers, was brought forward. Mental illnesses can result in dangerous outcomes such as the mass shooting that took place in Columbine High, Colorado. Treating psychological ailments in the early stages would help in preventing such grave incidents from taking place.

This study is also published in the Nov. 15 edition of Psychiatric Services.