Study: Nearly 1 in 5 teens suffer from a severe mental disorder

By Staff Writer

Researchers from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) found that approximately 20 percent of teens suffer from a mental disorder, reports LiveScience.com.

The study reveals that nearly 1 out of 5 teens have experienced or currently have a mental disorder that is severe enough to impact their daily activities. Furthermore, experts say that a higher percentage exists for teens who have less serious mental conditions.

The study surveyed 10,123 teens between the ages of 13 and 18 throughout the U.S., and showed that severe emotional and behavior disorders occurred more frequently in adolescence than diabetes or asthma.

Research indicates that anxiety disorders were prevalent in 31.9 percent of teens in the study. Approximately 19 percent of kids in the report suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, analysts say.

Schools for troubled youth can help those who suffer from the effects of mental disorders such as anxiety and ADHD by offering education catered to the individual's needs.

According to the NIMH, almost 40 percent of teens who were identified with one disorder in the study met the criteria to develop another disorder during their lifetime.