MHM Magazine

Issue 5 | 2022 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 29 MHM ADOLESCENCE AND COVID-19 Adolescence can be a tumultuous developmental period without the added complication of a pandemic. Adolescents need to experience changes in physical, cognitive, psychological and moral processes. These assist the adolescent to observe and explore their environment in an attempt to form their identity and separate from authority and parental figures. The isolation period of the Covid-19 pandemic hindered the natural experimental phase so necessary for adolescents to find their place in the world. Pre-Covid it was found that 15% to 30% of adolescents were diagnosed with anxiety. Did the Covid lockdown exacerbate these figures and how are the youth coping post lockdown? It may be too early for decisive answers however preliminary studies show that the isolation period of Covid has left adolescents feeling more anxious. Adolescents face significant developmental challenges, and these are (but not necessarily limited to): • Questioning authority • Taking risks • Experimenting with drugs, alcohol, and sex • Challenging moral and social structures • Demanding rights • Taking responsibility for self and others • Seeking spiritual paths • Seeking employment • Changing home and educational environments • Developing new relationships • Understanding sexuality • Renegotiating rules at home BEV’S STORY Bev is a final year engineering student presenting with academic difficulties. The intense fear that she would not finish her degree coupled with concentration difficulties resulted in a lack of motivation to complete tasks and falling behind on lectures. Bev was started on antidepressants prior to commencing therapy with no improvement in her difficulties. Prior to lockdown, Bev was living on campus where she studied. She and her twin sister went home weekends. Both parents are retired and play an active role in both their daughter’s lives. Bev has several physical and neurological disabilities. Despite her difficulties Bev was able to live a relatively neurotypical life. She attended a mainstream school and very little changes were made to her environment to accommodate her disabilities. A fewmonths prior to the national lockdown Bev received a scholarship to study in the US where she lived a fairly independent life before she had to return home. During lockdown Bev became increasingly dependent on her family. Bev’s twin sister thrived and completed her studies during the lockdown which heightened Bev’s anxiety. Bev’s parents were concerned and took it upon themselves to play a more active role in Bev’s daily routine. Bev’s only responsibility was to concentrate on her academics however this put strain on her relationship with her parents. Her irritability increased as a result of lack of control over her environment. The more Bev struggled Tamaryn Spandiel Clinical Psychologist Private Practice Rivonia, Gauteng tamaryn@spanpsych.co.za ANXIETY IN ADOLESCENCE POST COVID-19 LOCKDOWN: A CASE STUDY