Teenagers in turmoil

MOST OF US have come to believe that burnout - the physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress - happens only to adults, but do not be surprised if we tell you that it's something that lots of teenagers are now experiencing too.

- SREYA DEB

According to a recent study published in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry, nearly 70% of the surveyed students reported moderate to high levels of anxiety, while more than half of them showed symptoms of depression. Over 70% felt emotionally distressed, and 65% struggled to manage their emotions or behaviour.

While the figures project a stark reality, what's worrisome is that these issues are also resulting in many youngsters taking the extreme step. A National Crime Records Bureau report revealed that 13,044 student suicides took place in the country in 2022. The number was half of that about a decade earlier. Incidentally, India makes up for 10% of all suicide cases reported worldwide.

"There is certainly a rise in teenage burnouts in our country," agrees Dr Priyanka Gera Puri, consultant, child psychologist, department of paediatrics, Sir HN Reliance Hospital, Mumbai. "The life of a teenager is tough due to academic demands and societal pressures. At this age, they are in the middle of understanding the physical changes in their body, finding their social identity, or striving for emotional and mental independence. Add to it, the alarming rise of the influence of the digital world, which impacts their mental and physical well-being," she adds.

Signs & symptoms

"Every month, 10-15 teenagers seek help with us for burnout or due to their inability to function well socially, academically or at home," says Dr Puri.

Dr Achal Bhagat, senior consultant, psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, adds, "Since the pandemic, there has been a noticeable rise in such cases. Burnout goes beyond simply feeling tired, it is a deeper state of emotional, mental, and physical fatigue that leaves teenagers feeling overwhelmed, detached, and unable to cope with daily demands."