Anxiety in Teens
While we often associate anxiety with adults, kids and teens can struggle with it just as much. Think about everything today’s teenagers have to deal with on a daily basis. They’re figuring out who they are and who they want to be. They’re navigating relationships, trying to keep up with school, and thinking about their futures. On top of that, today’s teens have had to deal with a global pandemic and everything that went along with it.
So, it should come as no surprise to know that many teens are struggling with anxiety and need guidance and help to work through their fears and emotions. As a parent, it’s important to recognize the signs of anxiety in your teen and understand what you can do to help.
Recognize the Signs
It’s not uncommon for teenagers to be a bit up and down with their emotions sometimes. They’re going through a lot of hormonal changes and trying to navigate the ins and outs of high school.
But you know your teen better than anyone. There’s a difference between common mood swings and sudden changes in their behavior or mindset. Understanding the 4 signs of anxiety in teens is one of the best ways to recognize there’s a problem. Those signs include:
- Emotional Changes – Irritability, mood swings, and frequent worry
- Physical Issues – Rapid heart beat, sweating, trembling, fatigue, headaches, stomachaches, dizziness, muscle tension, shartness of breath, nausea, chest pain and more
- Social Changes & Withdrawal from Friends – Withdrawal from friends, socail isolation, lack of motivation and avoidance behaviors.
- Sleep Disturbances – frequent nightmares, trouble falling or staying asleep, racing thoughts at bedtime, excessive dayime sleepiness, and more.
Anxiety can manifest itself in a variety of ways. If your teen is suddenly experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t let too much time go by before you reach out.
Offer Your Support
Teens aren’t exactly known for always being open books. They might not know how to handle or process their own emotions, which can make it difficult for them to open up about what they’re feeling. They need to know they’re not alone if they’re struggling with anxiety.
Don’t feel like you have to force a conversation. Don’t accuse them of “acting different” or make them feel guilty over the way they’re feeling. Rather, let them know you’re there for them. It’s okay to tell them you’ve noticed some changes and you’re concerned. You have been their safe place since they were young. While that dynamic changes as they get older, it’s still important for them to know they can run to you with anything they’re facing.
Seek Out Professional Help
If your teen does start to open up, one of the best things you can do is simply provide a listening ear. While offering advice and support is important, being an active listener is just as crucial. They need to feel heard, understood, and valued. Then, you can try to work through their worries together.
If there’s a silver lining to anxiety, it’s that it is often very manageable with the right treatment. Don’t hesitate to seek out professional help for your teenager and encourage them to talk to a therapist.
Therapy can help your teen recognize where the anxiety is coming from. Getting to the root cause is the first step toward overcoming anxious thoughts. Therapy can also teach them the skills necessary to manage those intrusive thoughts, as well as their symptoms. Those are skills they can carry with them into adulthood. Doing so will make it easier for them to manage their mental well-being for years to come.
As a parent, it’s never easy to watch your teen struggling. But there are things you can do to help. Learn the signs, offer your support, and don’t hesitate to reach out if needed. Feel free to contact me to set up an appointment.
Wellness Matters as a Resource
Carolyn is a therapist who has worked with clients from the age of 4 and into later adulthood. Her past work experience includes 12 years of providing support and counseling services to students pre-K through 12th grade. She also provides support to administrators, teachers, parents, guardians, and grandparents. Her passion is to help people overcome hardship and discover hope.
Feel free to contact Wellness Matters to set up an appointment. You can connect with the Wellness Matters Intake Coordinator by texting or calling 218-616-1276.
At Wellness Matters, the intake process is all on-line and can be done in less than fifteen minutes. On-line appointments make it possible to attend appointments from the comfort from your home or office. In-person services may also be available for people living in northern MN.
