126. Anatomy of the teen mental health crisis

Dr. McFillin and Dr. Ahmad discuss what they have been witnessing in adolescent clients post-pandemic. Is phone addiction and social media, particularly platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok, harming teens' mental health, especially when it comes to body image, self-esteem, and social anxiety? This podcast episode explores this question, along with the concerning trend of self-diagnosis and labeling normal teenage experiences with mental health conditions. Are schools and emergency rooms equipped to properly evaluate and diagnose mental health issues in adolescents? And is there an overreliance on medication as a solution? A call for parental involvement, including setting boundaries around phone use is highlighted and a critical reevaluation of the current mental health system for teenagers. It’s time to move towards a more nuanced approach that validates teenagers' struggles and builds skills for living. Note: This podcast episode is designed solely for informational and educational purposes, without endorsing or promoting any specific medical treatments. We strongly advise consulting with a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any actions.*If you are in crisis or believe you have an emergency, please contact your doctor or dial 911. If you are contemplating suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK to speak with a trained and skilled counselor.RADICALLY GENUINE PODCASTDr. Roger McFillin / Radically Genuine WebsiteYouTube @RadicallyGenuineDr. Roger McFillin (@DrMcFillin) / X (Twitter)Substack | Radically Genuine | Dr. Roger McFillinInstagram @radicallygenuineContact Radically GenuinePLEASE SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS15% Off Pure Spectrum CBD (Code: RadicallyGenuine)—-----------FREE DOWNLOAD! DISTRESS TOLERANCE SKILLS—----------ADDITIONAL RESOURCES4:00 - Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A): a clinical Trial for Patients with suicidal and self-injurious Behavior and Borderline Symptoms with a one-year Follow-up20:00 - Picture perfect during a pandemic? Body image concerns and depressive symptoms in U.S. adolescent girls during the COVID-19 lockdown26:00 - Miss Americana - Wikipedia30:00 - When you are born matters: evidence for England36:00 - Full article: Nonsuicidal self injury among young adults and adolescents: Historical, cultural and clinical understandings38:00 - The Relationship between Social Media and the Increase in Mental Health Problems - PMC44:00 - Key & Peele - Text Message Confusion - Uncensored47:00 - Adolescent Sleep and Cellular Phone Use: Recent Trends and Implications for Research - PMC1:22:00 - Contested Jurisdictions: Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, and Clinical Psychology in the United States, 1940–20101:27:00 - Smartphone addiction is increasing across the world: A meta-analysis of 24 countries - ScienceDirect1:28:00 - Smartphone Addiction and Associated Health Outcomes in Adult Populations: A Systematic Review - PMC