Youths easily fall prey to psychological disorders!

In the form of a behaviour, personality or language disorder, psychological disorders are little known, but very common and affect the health of young people in particular. In this article, discover the types of disorders and the statistics on their recurrence in the world, in Africa and in Cameroon.

Behavioural disorders include: aggression, depression, phobias, addictions to drugs, gambling, sex, internet, etc. Personality disorders include: paranoia, narcissism, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder. And so on.

According to a study conducted in 2020 by the WHO, approximately 450 million people worldwide suffer from mental disorders. Half of them are affected before the age of 14, which makes young people between 12 and 20 the most vulnerable group to these disorders. Globally, depression is one of the main causes of death and disability among young people. In Africa, an article published by the newspaper Le Monde reveals that 10% of the continent's population is affected by a mental disorder. In Cameroon, although there are no global studies on the prevalence of psychological disorders among young people and adolescents, cases of violence in schools, crimes and the explosion of drug consumption (up to 60% of young people between 20 and 25 years old are concerned, according to the National Committee for the Fight against Drugs) who sheds more light on the situation.

Psychological disorders are due, according to the WHO, "to a non-supportive environment either within the family, at school, and even in the community in general, or all three at the same time. «With the health crisis linked to Covid-19 and the various conflicts underway in Cameroon, the population and especially young people are more likely than ever to develop disorders. Hence the urgent need to inform, educate and sensitize on the issue.

By Inès Papgouo