Adolescence always comes with a measure of anxiety. Yet, sometimes the typical upsets and detours of teenage life become something more. Awkwardness and anticipation can give way to deep, debilitating fear and avoidant behavior that holds them back.
For a parent, it can be difficult to know when things are getting out of hand. To move forward in a preventative and positive manner, it’s vital that you understand how anxiety commonly shows up in adolescents. You’ll want to keep the channels of communication as open as possible while seeing what concerns are uniquely impacting your child.
Do you notice any of the following?
Fear and Worry Manifest Physically
Anxiety can show up pretty clearly in the body, if you know what to look for. Often, adults can pinpoint the link between their worries and a headache, tense jaw, or nausea. Young people may not be so astute. Thus, it’s important to pay attention if your child complains of frequent aches and pains or generally feels unwell.
Talk to your adolescent. Is there a physical cause for their discomfort? If you need to, see a doctor to put your mind at ease. Be careful not to dismiss their symptoms, the fight or flight response that accompanies anxiety is honestly unsettling to young bodies. Try to dig deeper to determine what circumstances correlate with their physical complaints.
Academic Performance Slips
When teenagers are navigating emotional pressure, poor school performance is not unusual. Take note of this, particularly if your teen was previously a strong student as this may lead to self-esteem issues. Talk with teachers and share your concerns. Commit to rack problems in your teen’s academic performance as a team. Finally, check-in regularly to stay abreast of any others challenges arising for your child.
Friends, Family, and Strangers Are All Too Much
Is your teenager much less social than they used to be? Do they express deep concerns about being embarrassed or disliked? This could be a sign of anxiety. Pay close attention to their interactions with others. If they are withdrawn or lean heavily on you to interact for them, intervention may be necessary.
Routine Things Suddenly Feel Overwhelming
Does it seem your young person resists participation in the things they once enjoyed? Perhaps they feel worried about the pace of their progress in a sport or activity. Perhaps they were injured or sick and worry about returning to the activity. Maybe they feel ill-prepared to continue with a group or at a certain skill level.
As a result, your teen may avoid what they previously loved to do. This self-limiting behavior can lead to regrets later. If you sense that they miss or long to participate but hold themselves back, encourage them to share their worries. Then brainstorm ways to comfortably remain involved and build the skills or knowledge they need to face their fear.
New Experiences Seem Too Risky
Does your teen dig in their heels, suddenly change their mind, or require inordinate amounts of reassurance when trying something different? If their response seems overblown or they remain completely avoidant, it may be that a specific fears or phobias keep your child from seeking out new experiences.
A past trauma or major life transition can give rise to fears about trying new things. Pay attention to ways your teen’s life is becoming very closed off and hemmed in due to anxiety. Seek support and encourage communication to ensure they get to the root of their fears and they aren’t cemented as they move forward into adulthood.
Excitability or Irritability Are More Frequent
Unfortunately, anxiety is often linked to nervousness, negativity, and racing thoughts. This of course, has a detrimental impact on your teen’s developing brain and perceptions. This can lead to changes in your teen’s moods and self-image.
If your teens is anxious, they may behave in ways that seem reactive and “hyper” or irritable and surly. Pay attention to their interactions and the way others notice they are being treated by your child. Getting a handle on anxiety early can prevent bigger issues with recklessness, impulsivity, and depression down the line.
Sleep Does Not Come Easy
Anxiety and healthy sleeping patterns are often at odds. When night falls, many young people become laser focused on their concerns. If your teen is wired and active at night but very tired during the day, worry could be a problem.
Moreover, staying asleep through the night can become sources of worry in and of themselves. You may find that bedtime becomes a source of conflict and contention. Nightmares, late-night phone cellphone activity, or a desire to talk things through late at night may be frequent issues.
Helping Your Adolescent Manage Their Anxiety
Finally, it can be tough for teenagers to get a handle on anxiety on their own. Your teen needs you to provide context for their fears and resources for comfort and recovery. As a parent, reaching out to a therapist is often a good first step to ensure that you and your child make appropriate and productive choices early on.
If you suspect your teen is suffering from anxiety, please don’t hesitate to reach out for more information about teen counseling and contact us soon for a consultation.