When our soul suffers: the most common mental problems that are characteristic of certain age periods

Some of them mental problems are more typical for individual age periods or express as in others. In the course of life, psychological pressures change and are influenced by a number of factors.

Toddlers, children: anxiety - fears

Childhood is dedicated to getting to know this world, and our youngest learn to navigate this world at an early age. This is often anything but easy. Separation from parents, children's fears, and shyness can cause great distress to children. All this can lead to them starting to avoid the factors that cause them stress. Be it school or dogs.

Teenagers (ages 11 to 17): anxiety - social anxiety

The brain continues to develop until the age of 25, which means that even teenagers are not able to fully control their emotions and reactions. Including anxiety. Some adolescents may also show signs of social anxiety, which causes them to avoid certain social situations. During the teenage years, we are sure that all the attention is on us, and imaginary pressures and hormonal activity can also affect personal hardships.

Growing up (ages 18 to 25): anxiety, schizophrenia

A young person's developing brain can be much more sensitive to life's stress and mental health problems, all of which can be exacerbated by drug abuse. After finishing studies, many are looking for their first jobs, which are often stressful at the beginning, because we are not yet able to draw a clear dividing line and take time for ourselves. During this period, some more serious mental disorders such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Adults (between 25 and 40 years): anxiety, depression, postpartum depression

During these years, depression can be more common than anxiety. Anxiety is often associated with thinking about the future – the “what ifs”, while depression, on the other hand, is rooted in the past. In addition, many stressors such as divorce, loss of job, etc., can worsen mental health during this period. New mothers, however, also face the risk of postpartum depression, which develops in approximately one in seven mothers.

Adults (between 40 and 50): depression, suicide

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults ages 40 to 59 (especially women) have the highest rates of depression. This age group also has the highest suicide rate. Traumatic events such as accidents and divorces can trigger feelings of depression, and people in this age group often worry about their parents as well as their children.

Adults (over 60): depression, substance abuse

In their 60s, many people are already faced with the loss of a spouse with whom they have spent most of their life. Such tragic events often trigger depressive feelings in people, which leads to mental problems. During this period, the signs of some chronic diseases begin to appear more often, which can only worsen the individual's mental health. As they get older, many also resort to alcohol abuse, but their bodies can no longer tolerate it as well as it used to.

The third age period, after the age of 70: depression, dementia

Doctors may miss depression in the elderly because the symptoms—loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, low energy—can resemble other physical problems and illnesses. As people age, they often become more socially isolated, and we also encounter more and more health problems over the years. There is also a link between depression and dementia, as older people with depression are more likely to be diagnosed with dementia. It is not clear whether dementia is the result of depression or is depression the result of a diagnosis of dementia.