What Treatment Approaches Can Affectively Treat
Teen Anxiety?

Adolescence can be an exciting time, for self-discovery and exploring independence. While it can be a time of growth, it is not always fun. It can be especially challenging, considering all the changes and adjustments adolescents must go through. This is the time when they may start to feel self-conscious, as they strive to discover and develop their identity or sense of self. During this time they are also likely to be working to establish and affirm their independence. If these aren’t enough to overwhelm them, add to the equation the physical, neural, physiological, emotional, and social changes and pressures. 

During this time they may be more susceptible to anxiety and depression. The more you know about anxiety, the better you will be able to intervene if necessary. These challenges don’t have to be the only thing your adolescent faces during this time of development. Counseling can make a difference in the life of your teen.

Why Are Teens More Susceptible?

Adolescence involves so many changes, spurred by hormonal changes which can impact your teen physically, mentally and emotionally. Their brains will also develop new neural connections to improve their cognitive processes, deepening their analysis and critical thinking.

Maturation is not the same for everyone – some teenagers may develop early while others may later on. The shifting levels of hormones and the other physiological changes can trigger acne and weight changes. This can bring about intense emotions since adolescence is the time when many are seeking peer acceptance. Unwanted changes can lead to anxiety, disordered eating, poor self-esteem and in some cases even self-harm.

Studies conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health  NIMH ), it is estimated that 31.9% of adolescents (ages 13-18) have experienced an anxiety disorder. Knowing more about anxiety can help both you and your teen to know when it may be time to reach out for help. 

Watching Out for Symptoms

There are many types of anxiety, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), separation anxiety, specific phobias, panic disorder, social phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Each of these has unique symptoms, though there is some overlap. If you notice any of the following symptoms, your teen may be experiencing an anxiety disorder:

  • Extreme fear or worry about specific situations, or everyday life
  • Racing thoughts and/or difficulty “thinking straight”
  • Inability to concentrate or poor memory
  • Avoiding new and/or difficult situations
  • Avoiding social situations due to fear or worry
  • Always being on edge or nervous
  • Being constantly tired and unable to sleep (insomnia)
  • Chest pain, rapid heartbeat and sweating
  • Shallow breathing and shortness of breath
  • Restlessness and shaking
  • Dry mouth, stomach pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea without medical cause

Anxiety may also present itself in other forms. Because anxiety affects both the mind and the body, the condition can manifest itself in terms of physical and medical complaints. Worried about a lot of specific things and fears, your teen may have difficulty sleeping or eating. It is possible that they may find relief in overeating and/or oversleeping. Anxiety may also contribute to excessive worrying or fears, even when there is no real problem or danger. For these reasons, they may socially withdraw and avoid possible places or events that may put them in a situation that they would rather avoid, which can lead to them missing out on potential opportunities. Preoccupied, anxiety can also negatively affect their self-esteem.

Helping Your Teen Through

Anxiety can be a real threat to a happy and satisfying adolescence. Left untreated, anxiety rarely improves. If you are concerned that your teen is struggling with anxiety, it is worth looking into. 

Anxiety is treatable and often responds well to a combination of therapy and medication management. Evidence- based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills training can make a world of difference. 

Carolina Counseling Services contracts with skilled, licensed therapists who can help. CCS also contracts with caring psychiatric professionals that can develop a medication management plan that is right for your teen should you choose to explore this option as well. Call today to get started!

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