Category: Adolescent Mental Health

Teen Academic Burnout: A Growing Crisis We Can No Longer Ignore

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

I’ve been thinking a lot about the quiet exhaustion I often notice in teenagers today, the way their shoulders slump under the invisible weight of expectations, or how their eyes lose a little of their spark as exams approach. Sometimes, when I’m mentoring students or talking to parents, I find myself asking: When did learning become so heavy for our children?

In Pakistan, where grades are tied to prestige, opportunity, and sometimes even family honour, academic pressure doesn’t just sit in school bags; it follows students into their homes, their sleep, and their identities. And whether we admit it or not, teen academic burnout has slowly become a national concern.

What Exactly Is Teen Academic Burnout?

Academic burnout is more than just being “tired of studying.” Psychologists describe it as a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by long-term academic stress (Schaufeli et al., 2002).

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Helping Teens Breathe: Supporting Adolescent Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

I often find myself pausing at the school gates, watching groups of teenagers walk in, some laughing, some silent, some with headphones plugged in, all carrying invisible loads on their shoulders. As an educator and parent, I can’t help but wonder: What kind of world are they growing up in?

It’s a world that expects them to excel, to fit in, to stand out, and to do all of that gracefully, all before they even understand who they truly are.

In writing this reflection, I wanted to look beyond test scores and report cards, and into the hearts of adolescents navigating their mental and emotional worlds. Whether in the busy school corridors of Karachi or the diverse classrooms of London, many young people share the same quiet struggle balancing their dreams with the weight of expectations.

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How Childhood Trauma Shapes Adult Life and What Parents Can Do to Help

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Earlier today, I met one of my childhood friends after many years. As we laughed and reminisced about the mischievous adventures of our childhood gang, I was filled with warmth and nostalgia. Yet, amid this joy, a thought struck me that not all childhood memories bring happiness. For some, childhood is not a time of laughter and play, but of pain and fear.

A few weeks ago, during an educational camp I was conducting in the central region of Pakistan, a 19-year-old student shared his childhood experiences with me. His story reminded me how deeply early trauma can shape a person’s adult life. Childhood abuse, whether physical, sexual, or emotional, or even neglect by parents, can leave lasting scars. Children who are hurt by the very people they trust and love most often grow up feeling betrayed, wounded, and unworthy. If these emotional wounds remain unhealed, they silently seep into adulthood, affecting one’s self-image, relationships, and capacity to trust.

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Why Family Involvement Matters for Teens

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Last week, I sat down to watch The Blind Side again—the 2009 Hollywood film starring Sandra Bullock and Quinton Aaron. Though I’d seen it before, this time it struck me differently. Perhaps because, as a teacher and mentor working closely with teenagers, I’ve come to recognize just how fragile the teenage years can be and how much difference a caring family—or even one caring adult—can make.

The movie tells the true story of Michael Oher, who grew up facing poverty, neglect, and homelessness before becoming an NFL star. While it’s framed as a sports drama, I saw it less as a football story and more as a lesson on family involvement. As I watched Michael’s life unfold on screen, I couldn’t stop asking myself: What does family really mean for a teenager’s growth and development?

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Self-Disgust And Borderline Personality Disorder Among Teens

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

New Research Highlights Self-Dissatisfaction in Adolescents as A Possible Precursor To BPD

Recently, I had a conversation with a former student who is now in her second year of medical school. She shared her career goals, which seemed promising, but then her mood shifted. She expressed ongoing dissatisfaction with her life and self, saying things like, “I don’t like how I am or how my life is going… It’s not what I expect… nobody understands me… I messed up my life… in fact, I have no life.” I listened patiently and tried to calm her as she opened up. This encounter left me reflecting on why self-dissatisfaction develops and how it affects lives.

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