Young people with mental health conditions use social media differently

Adolescents with internalising conditions differed from their peers not only in how much they used social media, but also in how they experienced it, engaging more with social comparison and being more affected by feedback.

Adolescents with mental health conditions spend more time on social media and engage with it differently, especially those with internalising conditions like anxiety or eating disorders. Let’s avoid thinking of ‘mental health’ as one category when it comes to young people’s lives on social media.

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The diagnosis dilemma: can transdiagnostic approaches close the care gap for distressed youth?

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Many young people are clearly struggling but don’t fit any diagnosis. A new meta-analysis asks whether transdiagnostic support can help them before a label arrives.
Transdiagnostic interventions show small but consistent gains.

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The role of shame in hairpulling: understanding adolescents’ experiences

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Around 1% of adolescents have clinically diagnosable trichotillomania, but what role does shame play in how hairpulling connects to anxiety and depression? A recent study explores this largely overlooked question.

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Should we wait until age 13 before giving our kids a smartphone?

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Two new studies from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development cohort find that the younger a child is when they get a phone, the higher their risk of depression, obesity and insufficient sleep over the following year. For families whose children already have a phone, the most actionable levers are limiting daily use and keeping the device out of the bedroom at night.

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Tourette syndrome: the postcode lottery hiding in plain sight

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The film I Swear is challenging stigma around Tourette syndrome. But new research shows that awareness alone won’t fix NHS tic services.

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Anorexia in transition: from CAMHS to adult mental health services

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A small Danish qualitative study explores how young people with anorexia experience the shift from family-based treatment in CAMHS to adult mental health services.

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Loneliness in adolescence and suicidal thoughts: is depression the link?

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About 1 in 10 teenagers experience severe loneliness. A new 13-year study examines what this means for their future mental health and suicide risk.

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Mental health awareness: what we have gained, and what we did not expect

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Mental health awareness campaigns have reduced stigma and encouraged help-seeking, but a new review asks whether they also have unintended psychological costs such as inflating distress, driving self-diagnosis, and overwhelming services.

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Can stronger social connections really help reduce depression?

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A new umbrella review shows in-person social engagement reduces depression, especially for older adults and people most at risk of isolation.

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