Anxiety disorders in teenagers (1671)

Key points below


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:

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?

Websites for more information on anxiety:

ALERT:

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any concerns or if your child:

  • Shows an increase in feelings of hopelessness and helplessness or talks about death and shows increasingly reckless behavior.
  • Has special health care needs that were not covered by this information