Research suggests that mental health issues can spread among adolescent social groups, particularly mood, anxiety, and eating disorders. A study with over 700,000 ninth-grade pupils found a link between classmates with mental disorders and an increased risk of an individual being diagnosed later in life. It was noted that this link was strongest during the first year of follow-up. Researchers believe that the normalization of seeking help for mental health issues among peers may contribute to the rise in diagnoses. Understanding the role of peer effects in early-life mental health problems could lead to more successful prevention and intervention measures.
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Can Mental Disorders Spread? Study Says They Can Among Adolescent Social Groups
