06/25/2025
The mental health crisis in our teens isn’t just scary… it’s heartbreaking. 💔 Nearly 44% of high schoolers report feeling persistently sad or hopeless. That’s not a phase—that’s a problem. 😞
Yes, hormones and “teen stuff” play a role, but let’s be real—our kids are growing up in a world that’s WAY more intense than the one we did. The pressure is heavier, the stress is higher, and their nervous systems are showing the signs.
Here’s what most people don’t realize: a lot of what we’re seeing—anxiety, depression, panic, emotional outbursts—isn’t just mental. It’s neurological. 🧠
Time for a little high school bio refresher—don’t worry, we’re not grading you or your bangs 😂🙃
👉 Inside every teen is an Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)—think of it like the body’s emotional thermostat. It keeps things regulated… when it’s working right.
The ANS has two parts:
1️⃣ Fight-or-flight (Sympathetic) – This fires up under stress or danger. Helpful short-term. Harmful when it’s always “on.” That’s when we see chronic anxiety, anger, or overwhelm.
2️⃣ Rest-and-regulate (Parasympathetic) – This helps them calm, sleep, and focus. It’s led by the vagus nerve, and when it’s sluggish, kids feel stuck in stress mode.
When this system is out of balance (or “not bussin’,” as your teen might say 🤪), the brain and body stay in overdrive. This imbalance is called dysautonomia—and it’s a major reason behind the surge in teen mental health struggles.
✨At New Era Chiropractic, we use technology to actually measure how your child’s nervous system is functioning—no guessing, no fluff.
If you're ready to stop brushing it off as “just a phase,” and start truly helping your teen with a drug-free, brain-first approach, we’re here for you.
❤️ Click the link in our bio to schedule a scan or learn more about Neurologically-Focused Care. Healing starts here. https://pxdocs.com/anxiety/teen-anxiety-and-depression/