A new study published last week in Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science reveals that the stress due to the pandemic prematurely aged teen brains by at least three years. Parts of the brain were affected in ways similar to those in children who have faced chronic stress and adversity.
When comparing the MRI scans of a group of 128 children, half before the pandemic and half at the end of the first year, there was growth in the hippocampus and amygdala, parts of the brain that control memory access and help regulate fear, stress and other emotions.
“What we’re seeing is that when we are isolated and fear-based, we don’t grow as well when we are not fear-based,” says NYC psychotherapist Dr. Kathryn Smerling.
The study confirms that stress really can speed up the aging process, not just in teens, but in all people. Stress can have a negative effect on people when it comes to both mental and physical health. Teens were particularly affected during the pandemic no doubt due in large part to the already stress-filled and change-filled period of life they were going through, and how it was so hugely transformed by COVID and all the restrictions.
Besides feeling the toll on their social lives, teens were affected academically, with classes going online creating an adverse situation for many types of learners. Tendencies toward isolation, self-harm and substance abuse increased, especially for those kids who were already at risk for such behaviors before there was ever a lockdown. Anxiety increased in teens who were prone toward at as well as in their peers who had never experienced such feelings of intense worry before COVID.
What’s clear and that teens will need more tools at their disposal in order to cope with this stress. Some things that have worked for teens include talk therapy, yoga, meditation and a return to being with their peers in social settings. Open access to mental health services will be crucial but having parents who are open to conversations about these tough topics, as well as most importantly, being good listeners, will be crucial in helping our teens overcome this difficult time and ultimately thrive and grow.
Click here for more tips on how to support your teenager.
