Results from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2011-2021 (YRBS) were published earlier this year, and the latest numbers are shocking:
An alarming 57% of teen girls reported feeling sad and hopeless for a consecutive two weeks or more. So much so that they were not able to do usual activities. In comparison, 29% of teen boys reported the same.
These statistics reflect a 60% increase in teen girls suffering from persistent hopelessness since 2011. 30% of high school girls reported seriously considering suicide, 24% made a suicide plan, and 13% said they attempted.
Why are teen girls suffering more than teen boys?
COVID-19
Not surprisingly, girls tend to rely more on their friends for emotional support, and the isolation of the three years of COVID-19 has affected them greatly. In addition, it seems that girls took the seriousness of COVID-19 more literally than boys, resulting in more isolation, in comparison.
Hormones
Girl brains have an increased amount of natural “automatic negative thoughts”. These negative thoughts are originated in the limbic system of the brain, resulting in more worry than their counterpart boy brains.
The amygdala is a key component of the limbic system and is responsible for processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure. Estrogen receptors are in the amygdala part of the brain. Fluctuations in estrogen levels influence the amygdala activity. Estrogen has neuroprotective effects on the hippocampus; another limbic structure. Estrogen plays a big part in the limbic system, and the limbic system plays a big part in social and emotional processing.
Social Media
The hormone/limbic system in combination with time on social media compunds the negative and depressing effects. Girl brains simply feel more influenced by social media. Comparing themselves to others, not feeling like they measure up, and the fear of missing out (FOMO) has affected teen girls greatly, with social media being the fuel. This combination is big reason for teen girl brains suffering more than their counterpart boy brains.
Online bullying
Girls seem to be bullied online more than their boys. They are often more concerned about societal norms and social validation, making them more susceptible to feeling the online criticism, bullying or shaming. In addition, research has shown that girls simply do their bullying more online, whereas boys are more direct with each other.
Sexual Abuse
Being a victim of sexual violence is much higher with girls than boys. Shockingly, the rate of sexual violence has not decreased over the years even though there are more resources and education around it. This type of trauma is of course, associated with increased rates of depression, anxiety and substance abuse.
In the United States, for immediate help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
Therapeutic Educational Consulting works with highly trained and results oriented programs helping a child, teen girls, teen boys and young adults suffering from life-altering depression and anxiety. You may contact us here for a complimentary discovery call.
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