Written by Hailey Langer, MA, LPCC
What is anxiety
Did you know anxiety is the most common mental health concern in kids and teens? Around 16% of teens ages 13-17 years of age were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder according to CDC data. So, what is anxiety and why is it so common amongst this age group?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, usually about something that might happen in the future. A little anxiety can be helpful in keeping us safe, but when teens experience too much anxiety, it can be debilitating and cause significant issues in day to day life. In today’s world, teens deal with increased social and academic pressures, have higher expectations regarding performance, and experience a different social world where information is constantly accessible. This along with teens being in a developmental period of learning who they are and building independence can cause the perfect storm for anxiety.
Signs and Symptoms
Sometimes teens can communicate and show signs of anxiety quite clearly, such as expressing feeling anxious or worries, expressing consistent worries, avoiding activities that can cause anxiety or avoiding trying new things, experiencing panic attacks or anxiety attacks, being highly critical of themselves, and at times, having suicidal thoughts.
There are times where anxiety may not be so easy to spot. These less obvious signs of anxiety may include trouble sleeping, substance use, irritability, isolating from friends or family, being more withdrawn, increasing screen time, zoning out more often, being more forgetful, refusing to go to school or skipping class, comparing themselves to others more frequently, being more emotional, or grades dropping.
People are different in how they express anxiety and what causes it. These are just a few signs you can look for if you feel your teen might be experiencing anxiety. Yes, some of these signs are typical teenage behavior and some of these signs can be from situational anxiety. When anxiety becomes problematic is when signs and symptoms begin to impact the teens daily life and their ability to engage in activities such as school, extracurricular activities and/ or relationships.
How to Help as a Parent
Talking to your teen about anxiety starts with helping them understand what anxiety is, when it is normal, and when it may be time to seek support. Open the conversation by letting them know you notice they may be feeling anxious and that you are there to listen without judgment. Ask curious, supportive questions about their worries, such as how often they think about them, whether the anxiety affects school, activities, or their concentration, and if it causes them to avoid situations. These conversations can help your teen feel heard while also helping you recognize when anxiety may be becoming unmanageable. Even if your teen is not ready to talk right away, knowing you care and are available can encourage them to open up over time. If they are uncomfortable talking with a parent, consider discussing other support options, such as a school counselor or mental health professional.
As a parent it is easy to want to go into problem solving mode and “fix” these feelings of anxiety. Being a listening ear for your teen to talk, vent, express feelings of anxiety can be just what they need. A simple “I’m so glad you told me” can go a long way.
Many teens experiencing anxiety can go into all or nothing thinking patterns. After empathizing, it can be helpful for parents to put these worries into a realistic perspective. Is this worry we are having right now going to matter in one year? 5 years? The worry may feel huge or never ending right now, but if the answer is no, it can help put these worries into perspective for teens.
Anxiety is a normal part of being a human and adult. Teen’s are learning to navigate the world, and talking to your teen about mental health is one way of supporting them into adulthood. If you or your teen are experiencing intense anxiety and are unsure what to do next, it is always okay to reach out to a mental health professional for support. Increased anxiety can lead to suicidal thoughts. If you are noticing your teen expressing suicidal thoughts, please contact 988, your child physician, or find a local mental health professional.
At the Counseling & Education Center, we provide caring, age-appropriate therapy for children and teens in Grand Junction. If you’re looking for a kids therapist or a teen counselor near you, our team understands the unique challenges young people face. We offer a welcoming, home-like environment and make therapy accessible through sliding scale fees , whether or not you have insurance. Get in touch to find the right fit for your family.