BEHIND THE MASK OF A TEENAGER

Anna sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone screen. The notifications kept piling up: text messages from her friends, a group chat with endless emojis and memes, notifications from social media platforms. But she couldn't bring herself to open any of them. Every sound felt like a reminder of how disconnected she felt, even though she was constantly surrounded by people.

It wasn't that she didn't have friends. Anna was popular enough—at least, that's what it seemed like on the outside. But inside, it was different. The constant pressure to fit into peers' world, to keep up with appearances, was starting to take its toll. She'd spent the past few months convincing herself she was fine, telling everyone she was "just busy" whenever someone asked if she was okay.

But the truth was, she felt exhausted. Her thoughts were loud and chaotic, and it was like there was a constant storm inside her head. Every decision, every interaction, felt like it carried weight—like every choice would determine who she was, what people thought of her. She had become hyper-aware of every tiny flaw and mistake. If she said something awkward or forgot to respond to a text, it felt like the end of the world. It was as if every misstep was magnified in her mind, a reflection of her own inadequacies.

Anna tried to keep up with everything—school, her social life, her family—but it felt impossible. She'd slip into a quiet room to be alone, but even then, she couldn't escape. The thoughts continued, relentless, and she couldn't quiet them down.

Her parents had noticed the changes. Her mom would ask if she wanted to talk, but Anna always pushed her away and got irritated with her parents concerns. She didn't want to burden anyone with her feelings, afraid they wouldn't understand or, worse, dismiss it as something "teenage" and temporary.

One evening, Anna broke down. She couldn't stop the tears, couldn't hold it together any longer. Her chest felt tight, like there was no space to breathe, and the weight of everything was unbearable. She grabbed her phone, typing a message to her best friend, Mia, but hesitated before hitting send. What would she say? How could she explain the storm raging inside her? How could she put into words the overwhelming sense of not being good enough?

Finally, she typed: "I'm not okay." And then she hit send.

Mia’s response came almost instantly: "I’m here, Ann,  Always."

It wasn't a magical fix, but it was a start. Anna realized that she didn't have to do this alone. That message was the first step in a long journey toward understanding herself and learning to ask for help when she needed it. It wouldn’t be easy, and the path wouldn’t always be clear, but Anna now knew that it was okay not to be okay. And for the first time in a while, she allowed herself to hope that things could get better.

The next day, Anna talked to her mom, and later, to a school counselor. It was hard, but the more she spoke about her struggles, the less heavy the weight on her chest became. She learned that there was no shame in seeking support—that sometimes, reaching out was the strongest thing you could do.

Anna was still figuring it out, still navigating the complexities of being a teenager in a world that seemed to demand more than she could give. But with every step forward, she knew she was no longer alone in the struggle.

Adolescence is a transitional period, shifting from the dependence of childhood to the developing sense of self in adulthood. The growing influence of peers and the desire to fit in can overwhelm their sense of stability, intensifying emotional outbursts often fueled by the hormonal changes of puberty. Meanwhile, the constant, subtle projections of perfection on social media raise unrealistic standards, making it even more difficult for teens who are just beginning to establish their sense of autonomy.

This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity, often resulting in emotional withdrawal. However, with the support of caregivers and professionals, teens can learn to navigate the storms in their minds—taking one step at a time and one day at a time—transforming from struggling to thriving in life.

Written By: Dr Dipti Reddy Nallu - Indla ( Consultant Psychiatrist,  ICGC Hyderabad )