Anxiety disorders in teenagers (1671)

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal response to stress. Teens have an anxiety disorder when they have too much fear and worry that lasts a long time. They may start to have problems at school or socially because of their anxiety. It is common for a teen with anxiety to be nervous taking tests, competing in sports, or meeting new people. Anxiety is a problem when it interferes with a teen’s ability to function.

Anxiety can make a teen feel restless, tired, or tense. Some teens complain of stomachaches, dizziness, or other aches and pains. It is common to have trouble with focusing and sleeping. Many teens with anxiety do not feel confident and are easily upset.

There are many different kinds of anxiety disorders in teenagers. Your child has _______________.

What Causes Anxiety Disorders?

There are many reasons why a teenager may have anxiety. It can run in families and start at birth. It can also start after exposure to stressful events and difficulty in school or with friends.

What are the Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders?

A teen with anxiety may:

• Worry a lot about many things. They may not be able to control the worry. They may often talk about or ask questions about the things they worry about. This is called seeking reassurance.
• Be afraid of making mistakes and being embarrassed.
• Avoid places or activities that make them nervous, like being in crowds or speaking in school.
• Have a hard time doing school work and be slow to finish work.
• Have unwanted thoughts often. These are called obsessions.
• Repeat specific behaviors in response to having worries. These are called compulsions.
• Feel very scared of specific things like animals, heights, being in an airplane, or seeing blood.

How are Anxiety Disorders treated?

Anxiety problems will continue if your teen does not get help. There are two kinds of treatment that can help your teen with anxiety.

Treatment for mild anxiety starts with psychotherapy. In therapy, a health care provider helps your teen by understanding how they think and feel about things. In therapy, teens learn to replace their anxious thoughts with helpful ones. They learn how to ease their anxious feelings with coping skills. Your teen will need to practice what they learn outside of sessions. This is an important part of therapy.
Psychotherapy is usually done by psychologists, mental health counselors, and clinical social workers.

Medicine can help decrease feelings of anxiety. Medicines may be prescribed to help your teen’s anxiety. For moderate to severe anxiety, treatment that uses both psychotherapy and medicine may be most helpful.

Please contact one of the following therapists to enroll your teen in outpatient psychotherapy: _________________________________________________________________________

What can I do to help my teen’s anxiety?

• Encourage relaxation activities such as deep breathing, meditation and yoga. These should be practiced regularly.
• Help your teen notice physical feelings with their anxiety (stomachaches, headaches, feelings of restlessness). Make sure they use their relaxation strategies at those times.
• Help your teen to get enough sleep and exercise, and eat a nutritious diet.
• Listen carefully and respectfully when your teen is willing to talk about their anxiety. Do not tell them not to worry. Your teen’s worries are very real to them.
• Pay attention to your teen’s self-talk and help them make it more positive. Help them when they are feeling anxious to say “This has happened before and I know how to handle it or who I can go to for help.”
• Talk with your teen’s school and make sure teachers are aware of your teen’s anxiety. If their anxiety causes problems with their work at school they may need a special education plan, called a 504 Plan or IEP. These plans can offer accommodations like extra time on tests, reduced work-load, help with organization, and adjustments to presentations.

Websites for more information on anxiety:

• http://www.worrywisekids.org/
• https://childmind.org/topics/concerns/anxiety/
• https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/childhood-anxiety-disorders
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America www.adaa.org
• Child Anxiety Network www.childanxiety.net/Anxiety_Disorders.htm