Frequently Asked Questions about Teen Anxiety

Are the worries of all children alike? Like their physical bodies, anxiety manifests differently throughout the phases of childhood and adolescence. Younger children are more likely to be anxious about external things such as bugs, darkness, monsters under the bed, or something terrible happening to their parents. Teens, on the other hand, typically worry about what their bodies look like, what other people think about them, or about not doing well in school or sports. But what actually constitutes teen anxiety?

How do I know if my teen has anxiety?

As you watch your teen grow, you may wonder what a normal amount of worry is and when your child’s concern elevates to a level of anxiety. Often overlooked, teen anxiety can be missed because teenagers often hide their thoughts and feelings. Likewise, symptoms may vary widely. However, some behaviors serve as red flags to watch out for.

If your teen is excessively self-conscious, unusually self-critical, and hypersensitive to criticism, they may be struggling with teen anxiety. Likewise, if you find them constantly seeking reassurance, and wanting excessive approval to feel secure, it may be a red flag. Persistent worry or fear may overwhelm them culminating in panic attacks. Alternatively, your teen may seem as if always stressed or on edge. Perfectionism may become a tool to control fear.

Anxiety also impacts a teen’s ability to be contentedly still and alert. You may find your child restless, irritable, and struggling to concentrate. You may see a drop in grades or difficulty in falling asleep. By contrast, your child might sleep excessively. All of these can alert you to a concern.

Changes in behavior around school and social life can reveal your child is struggling with teen anxiety. If your teen begins avoiding new situations or social and extracurricular activities that they formerly enjoyed, or no longer wants to attend school, you might take note. Anxious teens can withdraw from family and friends and begin risky or concerning behaviors including vaping, drug use, or self-harming behaviors such as cutting.

Lastly, a child’s anxiety can manifest as a threat to their physical health. Frequent, unexplained aches and pains, such as headaches or stomach aches, maybe the body’s way of communicating that levels of stress and overwhelm are manifesting in anxiety. If you notice changes in eating and sleeping behaviors, your adolescent’s body could be crying out for help.

Causes of teen anxiety.

A variety of pressures and stresses cause teen anxiety. Some become overwhelmed by expectations to do well in school, either from others or themselves. They may generally believe that they are not good enough or worthy of love and acceptance. Social media and peer pressure can impact their perception of how they are viewed by their peers, and the thought of making mistakes terrifies them.

A heavy weight comes from comparing themselves to unattainable social media standards. Others worry about the future, either personally in post-graduation adulthood or for larger societal fears like violence, war, environment, or global political or economic instability.

How teens mask their anxiety.

Reluctant to disclose or reveal that they are feeling anxious, teens often pretend that everything is fine. They may smile and act upbeat to lead others to believe they are happy, and nothing is wrong. Making jokes or allowing themselves to be the target of jokes, they laugh off what does not feel all right inside.

Another strategy to avoid facing that which overwhelms them is avoidance. They may stay busy by enrolling in things they are not interested in. To avoid others, they might make excuses for why they are isolating themselves, such as having had a busy day, needing some alone time, or studying for a test.

Treatments for teen anxiety.

Several evidence-based treatment modalities can help with teen anxiety. One of the most effective and widely used is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT teaches teens how to change the way they think about and respond to anxiety and learn how to face their fears rather than avoid the things that trigger it.

Being supportive to your teenager.

The best things you can do are actively listen to your teen, be empathetic and validate their feelings. Talking to your child about the possible causes and effects of anxiety may provide some validation and hope. Be sure to offer your support and reassurance that they are valued and appreciated no matter what. Providing tools and strategies that equip them to healthily manage stress can go a long way.

Reaching out for help.

Let your teen know that anxiety is nothing to be ashamed of. Likewise, some unbiased professional therapists are available to help. You can reassure your teen that a counselor will not judge them but rather help them understand what is causing the anxiety and how to manage it. If your teen refuses help, continue to be supportive, and consider seeing a counselor of your own for support and help with the issue.

If you feel teen anxiety is impacting your household, please reach out to us today. At Keller Christian Counseling in Texas, we can answer your questions and get you set up with a faith-based counselor in Keller, Texas from our online directory.