Anxiety And Depression: Youth Mental Health Got Worse During The Pandemic … In Hawaii, mental health providers say they’re only beginning to see the repercussions of forced social isolation and distance learning on young people.
Honolulu psychiatrist Sonia Patel tells the story of a teen who was confined to a college dorm room most hours of each day while classes were being taught remotely. He started vaping marijuana to manage his escalating anxiety — even though he was taking a medication that doesn’t mix well with marijuana.
On one occasion, the teen spiraled into a dangerous state of cannabis-induced psychosis.
The coronavirus pandemic stripped adolescents of healthy coping mechanisms, such as socializing with friends. Some of her patients adopted detrimental new strategies to manage their stress, anxiety or trauma.
