334: Hero foods for anxiety & tricks to build self-esteem | Clinical psychologist Nicole Beurkens, Ph.D., CNS

Rising Challenges

The rise in mental health diagnoses among children and young adults is a growing concern. Nicole Beurkens highlights a significant increase in conditions such as autism, ADHD, anxiety, and depression over the past two decades. She attributes this trend to a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental triggers, including dietary changes and exposure to toxins 1.

It's not just one thing. That would be simple, right? If we just identify the thing, like people say, well, what's the cause of autism or anxiety or whatever? Well, we know that there's lots of different things.

--- Nicole Beurkens

This multifaceted issue demands a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing these challenges.

   

Evolving Challenges

Comparing past and present mental health challenges reveals a stark evolution in the field. Nicole Beurkens notes that 25 years ago, the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD was significantly lower. Today, these conditions affect a much larger percentage of the school-age population, with ADHD diagnoses rising from 3% to nearly 12% 2.

The number of kids diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders with ADHD, which back 25 years ago, we had estimates of maybe 3%, maybe of the childhood population. Now, right now, in 2021, our stats are closer to 11-12 percent of school age kids either diagnosed or medicated for ADHD.

--- Nicole Beurkens

This increase is accompanied by a surge in anxiety disorders, underscoring the urgent need for effective interventions.