The American Psychological Association describes resilience as a journey to adapt well when faced with adversity, trauma, threats, or significant sources of stress. Resilience is about understanding the unique ways in which we react, manage, and build connections with strong and sometimes difficult emotions.

Resilience is about learning to take action, and to find ways that can help ourselves and our loved ones overcome difficult circumstances. On May 19, 2022, My Good Brain and partners of MTV Entertainment Group are coming together to empower resilience through action on Mental Health Action Day. 

This year, we’re focusing on the youth mental health crisis. In 2020, 1 in 6 young people in the U.S. between the ages of 12 and 17 experienced a major depressive episode. To add to the already prevalent occurrence of mental health challenges in youth, 1 in 5 young people reported that the pandemic negatively impacted their mental health. This Mental Health Action Day, we want to enable the move from awareness to action through resources; which can help young people and their parents identify signs of common mental health issues and take that next step on their journey toward resilience. 

Signs and symptoms of:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Social Anxiety

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Disruptive Behavioral Disorders

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Addictions

• Eating Disorders

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

It is important to distinguish whether a person is simply sad or genuinely depressed. Sad days occur for everyone, and it is completely human to experience sadness. But if you or someone close to you is experiencing the following symptoms for a prolonged amount of time, you might be looking at Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

• Hopeless Outlook: Feelings of worthlessness, despising oneself, or unearned guilt may occur along with a hopeless outlook on life.

• Loss Of Interest: Activities such as sports, games, or going out with friends which were once loved may no longer be of interest to a person experiencing a depressive disorder.

• Lethargic Demeanor And Sleep Issues: Tired or otherwise lazy behavior may be the reason why a person might stop doing the things they once enjoyed.

• Anxiety: Depression is oftentimes found alongside anxious behavior (check GAD & social anxiety).

• Increased Irritability: Often a characteristic of depression in men, depression may result in substance abuse, misplaced anger, irritability, and escapist or risky behavior.

• Changes In Appetite Or Weight: Significant weight loss or weight gain due to an unintentional change in diet is another key characteristic of depression.

• Mood Swings: Going from outbursts of anger to uncontrollable crying to paralyzing anxiety can happen, even when nothing prompts these fragments of strong emotion.

• Ideas Of Death: A person may talk more about death or the appeal of dying, this includes talking about self-harm or currently self-harming.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is the persistent feeling of anxiety or dread that interferes with daily life. Everyone has something to worry about, but those living with GAD will experience frequent anxiety for months, even years on end.

• Feeling On-Edge, Restless, Fidgety: Someone feeling on-edge for an extended period of time may have an anxiety disorder.

• Easily Fatigued: GAD may cause someone to slow down on their work much faster than someone without this problem.

• Difficulty Concentrating: Losing your concentration or your train of thought frequently is another key symptom of GAD.

• Increased Irritability: A person with GAD will be more likely to snap at someone who they find just mildly annoying more often.

• Unexplained Headaches, Muscle Aches, Stomachaches, Or Pains: Physiological symptoms such as these can be traced back to GAD when they’ve appeared consistently without explanation.

• Difficulty Controlling Feelings Of Worry: Those with GAD will experience uneasiness throughout almost everything they try. However, that doesn’t mean a person shouldn’t try.

• Sleep Problems: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and other insomnia-related issues may occur quite frequently with a person dealing with GAD.

Social Anxiety

Whereas shyness is short-term and doesn’t disrupt one's life, Social Anxiety is ongoing and at times utterly debilitating. Symptoms may start as early as 13 years of age.

• Constantly Worrying About Social Situations: This can take the form of excessively worrying about an event days or weeks ahead of time, worrying about embarrassing oneself, or worrying that others will notice you are stressed.

• Avoiding Social Situations: Oftentimes people with SAD will need to skip school, work, or group meetings in general because of their anxiety.

• Turning To Substances To Face Social Interactions: If you find yourself needing a drink, a smoke, or any other substance to wind the nerves down for a social gathering, you may be looking at a potential type of social anxiety.

• Excessive Sweating, Shaking, Or Difficulty Speaking: This may also include blushing, nausea, dizziness, and a rapid heart rate.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be divided into two parts: Obsessive and Compulsive. 

Obsessions: Obsessions are repeated unwanted thoughts or urges that cause intense distress to a person. Someone may try getting rid of these obsessions following a ritual or behavior of some kind. Common themes include:

• Fear of contamination or dirt

• Needing things orderly or symmetrical

• Difficulty tolerating uncertainty

• Atrocious thoughts about losing control and harming either themselves or others

• Unwanted/aggressive thoughts about sexual or religious subjects

Compulsions: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to do. These compulsions are often meant to reduce anxiety related to the obsessions or to prevent “something bad” from happening. A person may make up rules or rituals to control anxiety, but these rituals tend to not be a realistic solution to the problem. Standard themes and examples include:

• Washing or cleaning (e.g. Washing your hands until the skin becomes red and irritated)

• Counting (e.g. Counting in certain patterns such as even numbers, multiples of 3, and so on)

• Strict routine (e.g. Facing cans, bottles, or containers in a certain direction each time) 

• Requiring reassurance (e.g. Whispering a prayer, word, or phrase to oneself)

• Checking (e.g. Repeatedly checking the stove to make sure it is off)

Disruptive Behavioral Disorders

Behavioral disorders — also commonly known as disruptive behavioral disorders — are one of the most common causes for parents to take their children in for mental health assessments and treatment. Most frequently diagnosed among children aged 3 to 17 years old, behavioral disorders saw an estimated diagnosis of 5.5 million children between the years 2016 and 2019. Unlike regularly seen challenging behavior in children, disruptive behavioral disorders are more persistent than what is recognized in a child’s developmental stage. Two common types of behavioral disorders are oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): Characterized by ongoing hostile behavior toward figures of authority, such as parents, teachers, and caregivers. The concept of ODD has been criticized for its fine line between diagnosis and normal child behavior. Doctors can only diagnose ODD if signs and symptoms have been persistent for 6 months, causes severe disruption at home or in school, and is not the result of another mental health condition. Signs of ODD include: 

• Frequent temper tantrums and excessive arguments with adults

• Often questions and refuses to listen to rules and requests

• Intentionally annoys or upsets others

• Puts blame on others for misbehavior 

• Speaks harshly or unkindly to others

• Displays spiteful behavior designed to seek revenge

Conduct Disorder: Comprises a group of behavioral and emotional issues defined by a sense of disregard for others. Children with conduct disorder find it challenging to follow rules and socially acceptable behavior, which can result in hostile and physically violent behavior as well as trouble feeling and expressing emotion to others, including empathy and remorse. Symptoms of conduct disorder that parents can look out for include behavior such as: 

• Physical aggression (such as bullying or threatening behavior, cruelty toward people or animals) 

• Violating the rights of others (such as theft, vandalism, trespassing, fire-setting)

• Lying or manipulation

• Delinquent behaviors (such as truancy from home or school, breaking curfews)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is characterized as a condition around a traumatic event, specifically the symptoms following the event. PTSD is not a “soldier” disorder and can result from a number of traumatic events. The events can range from abuse to natural disorders, however, the type of event is not what this disorder is. Generally, those who go through something traumatic are able to become adjusted to life after the event. People who are unable to do that and have disruptive symptoms, after a month, may have developed PTSD. Some symptoms to be on the lookout for, either for yourself or for others, are grouped into 4 categories: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and change in physical/emotional reactions. Below are more detailed explanations of the 4 categories.

1. Intrusive Memories: 

   1. Recurrent, unwanted memories of the event

   2. Reliving the event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)

   3. Dreams or nightmares relating to the event

2. Avoidance:

   1. Avoiding places, people, events, etc. that remind you of the traumatic event

3. Changes In Thinking And Mood:

   1. Sudden negative thoughts about yourself, other people, or the world

   2. Hopelessness about the future

   3. Memory issues, including important aspects of the traumatic event

4. Changes In Physical/Emotional Reactions:

   1. Being easily startled or frightened 

   2. Always on guard, as if there is danger at every corner

   3. Self-destructive behavior, such as binge-drinking or self-harm

   4. Trouble sleeping

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, better known as ADHD, is a disorder that is mostly diagnosed in childhood and lasts into adulthood. Signs of ADHD in children include, but are not limited to, trouble focusing and controlling impulsive actions, as well as an overly active child. More symptoms include:

• Failure to pay attention to details and follow through on tasks/activities

• Trouble organizing tasks

• Trouble staying still, can be seen fidgeting in their seat or walking around instead of sitting

• Excessive talking (to the point where it impedes their relationships)

Conditions For Diagnosis:

• Symptoms are present before the age of 12 years old

• Symptoms are present in multiple areas of life (school, home, with friends/relatives, etc.)

• Symptoms are NOT better explained by another disorder

3 Presentations Of ADHD:

• Predominantly Inattentive: ONLY symptoms of inattentive are present for the past 6 months 

• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive: ONLY symptoms of hyperactive-impulsive are present for the past 6 months 

• Combined: BOTH symptoms of hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive are present for the past 6 months 

Addiction

In broad terms, addiction is defined as persistent use or action despite harm and adverse consequences. As a mental health issue, there are many types of addiction disorders, such as behavioral addiction, substance addiction, and impulse addiction. Some disorders under these categories are listed below.

• Behavioral

  • Sex

  • Gambling

• Substance

  • Alcohol

  • Prescription medication

  • Marijuana

• Impulse

  • Emotional outbursts

  • Destructive behavior 

Though addiction disorders have many names, they all share base-level symptoms that can indicate if there is an issue. The symptoms include:

• Change in priorities (focusing on the item or action of your addiction, instead of school, work, and relationships)

• Lack of control

• Increased tolerance of the substance/action

• Increased risk-taking behavior

• Withdrawal 

Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge-Eating Disorder)

Eating disorders are not equivalent to a “diet” or lifestyle choice, rather, they are incredibly complex disorders that can be fatal if not helped medically and psychologically. These disorders are commonly thought to only affect females, however, like any mental health disorder, it is not confined to labels. Any age, race, ethnicity, and gender can develop an eating disorder. The 3 most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Detailed explanations of these disorders are below.

• Anorexia Nervosa: Centered around body image and distorted thought processes. Most repeatedly weigh themselves and keep extensive catalogs of calories ate.

• Bulimia Nervosa: Episodes of binging (eating more than can be handled) and compensatory behavior such as vomiting, using laxatives, or excessive exercising.

• Binge-Eating Disorder: Recurring episodes of binge-eating, however, NO compensatory behavior.

These are all widely different disorders, but all have similar basic symptoms. The symptoms include:

• Attitudes on body image, weight loss, dieting, and a focus on food

• Withdrawal from friends, family, and activities

• Extreme concern about body size/shape and body weight

• Extreme mood swings

• Menstrual irregularities

• Difficulty concentrating

• Sleep problems

Helpful Websites

• Mental Health is Health: An initiative by MTV Entertainment Group to normalize conversations and create a connection to resources

• Mindfulness for Teens: Guided meditations, videos, books, and apps to help teens handle stressful situations

• Lives in the Balance: Ideas for parents on how to assist concerning behaviors in children through the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions model

• Resources by the National Alliance on Mental Illness: Tips, videos, and next steps to take action on the mental health of kids, teens, and young adults

Screening for a disorder is no substitute for going to a professional and requesting a diagnosis there, these tools are only meant to draw awareness to a possible situation you or a person close to you might be facing. If you do receive a score that suggests a possible indication of a certain disorder, the best course of action would be to contact a professional or schedule an appointment with your health care provider. Look for the resources section of this article to find out more about what your next steps should be.

All bullet points are clickable and will lead to resources/screenings.