Anxiety in teens is on the rise, according to The National Institutes of Health (NIH). The report notes that anxiety in teenagers and children went up by 20% between 2007 and 2012. The NIH also notes that 1 in 3 teenagers aged 13-18 will experience an anxiety disorder. While the data focuses on the US, the unsettling trend is likely similar in other countries.
Receiving the appropriate intervention early on is essential. Good mental health often begins with parental awareness. With that in mind, what are effective ways to address anxiety issues in teenagers?
Why anxiety is on the rise
Unfortunately, these young people do not always get the professional help needed for mental health disorders, for various reasons. In some cases, they have limited mental health knowledge, while others feel embarrassed, perceive a social stigma, or do not have the financial costs associated with therapists.
They might also be unsure whether they have anxiety or deny having it. An online anxiety test provides instant results about mental health.
The COVID-19 pandemic has played a big role in the rise in anxiety in teens too. A recent survey revealed that almost half (47%) of 977 parents of teens said their child’s mental health condition worsened since the coronavirus outbreak.
Increases in worry and negative impacts on sleep were among the changes noted by the researche. Among the possible reasons for the link between mental health issues in youths and the pandemic include feelings of uncertainty and higher levels of stress in parents.
3 ways to address anxiety in teens:
1. Open up communication about emotions
Adolescence is a period of high emotional turmoil that results from biological, hormonal, and social changes. For a lot of teenagers, it can be hard to put their sensations into words.
Being able to understand exactly what they feel is crucial to expressing their emotions and fears. Supportive material, such as social emotional learning books teens, can prove helpful in identifying and articulating their feelings. If they can’t voice their thoughts for lack of a word, they may bottle them up, contributing to mental health issues.
Parents can also introduce an emotional talk, encouraging the discussion with teenagers. Journaling can be a useful tool for youngsters too, helping them work through their thoughts by putting them down on paper.
Some teenagers may also prefer to leave messages for parents to read and comment on if they are not ready for face-to-face conversations. The main thing is finding a form of communication that works for the unique child and parent.
2. Prepare an intervention when appropriate
Everybody develops a coping mechanism. Not all coping mechanisms are helpful or healthy, though.
Anxiety and substance abuse may link together for some young people who turn to alcohol or drugs to manage their emotional whirlpool. Unfortunately, substance abuse can also increase anxiety disorder, which means that parents may need to stage an intervention.
However, it is essential to remain open-minded and understanding. Ill-timed interventions can backfire.
The reality is that teenagers are likely to experiment. Therefore, misreading signs and planning an intervention that isn’t necessary could irremediably damage trust in the parent-child relationship.
Alternatively, parents can introduce healthy coping strategies to their children. Some examples are mindfulness, sports, or therapy to manage anxiety.
3. Identify triggers and how to manage them
Teenagers have an acute sense of awareness of their social, academic, and emotional environment. A variety of events in their lives and in the world can act as triggers for an anxiety disorder. Some triggers are removable, such as changing schools to put an end to bullying or social isolation.
Others are a non-movable part of life. However, parents and teenagers can work together to come up with a plan to manage their fears.
The pandemic and alarming updates about climate change can significantly affect young people, keeping them awake at night. They may worry about the future of the planet, the health of loved ones, and more.
Academic stress is also a consistent factor for teens, who worry about their test results in hopes of getting into a good university. Concerns about the lasting effects of the pandemic on jobs could also make them restless and feel hopeless.
Concluding thoughts on anxiety in teens
Anxiety is on the rise among all generations. Teenagers are especially vulnerable to high stress as they are in the middle of a hormonal and emotional journey. Encouraging conversations and mutual understanding can help them establish a trusted and supportive relationship with their parents.
We have been living through a crazy time.
I believe when we come out of this pandemic, or at least have it in some kind of control (like the flu) many of us will be changed. I know that I am still me, but my priorities have shifted.
I can’t imagine being a teen and living through the last almost 2 years.
My parents had no intellectual input. They were old school… to say it nicely. We were told, not communicated with.
Hopefully parents are more on top of issues, today.
Good article, Christy!
Hi Resa, I hope that a growing number of conversations between parents and teens are open-minded and respectful. As you suggest, talking TO a child is less effective than talking WITH them xx
An excellent post, Christy. Teens are anxious and school stress is a big issue. I think that during lockdown, a lot of the stress relievers disappeared for all of us. Like visiting with friends and doing exercise in a social environment, even going to school and work. It’s made us all more anxious and stress. And then there was the fear and people dying …
You make a good point, Robbie, that resources were limited. Change in itself is stressful and the pandemic brought a lot of it. Fear is also so stressful, as you point out.
Great ways to help parents talk to their kids in stress
Your words are appreciated!
Great ways to help parents approach their kids in stress. I do hate that majority of schools in America have only 1 psychologist for about 400 students. Teens are not usually comfortable talking to their parents about personal issues.Leaving them nowhere to go and seek help.I know many parents and teens are actually trying.
A lack of professional resources, such as psychologists, is definitely a problem. Thanks for explaining more about it here.
Such an important topic, Christy! I love your points here, especially how some of the rise in teen anxiety could be due to an increase of their parent’s anxiety. Kids pick up on so much more than adults realize sometimes, especially if the child has a sensitive nature already. In the case of an HSP child, real trauma can occur. Communication is definitely key in a healthy way.
I loved your idea of kids sharing their thoughts through writing with their parents too. Wow, that’s a great idea. Kind of like being a pen-pal with your parent. I can see how that would really open up some opportunities for healing conversations. Plus, it gives one the chance to think before they ‘speak.’ A lot of hurt feelings could be avoided this way!
It might help to know your kid’s “love language” too. Often when we have certain love languages, we might also have certain triggers associated with that preference. Any ways we can understand one another on a deeper, more meaningful level, the better!
Thanks for sharing, my friend. ❤️ I’ve shared on social!
You make a good point Holly that writing can sometimes be superior to vocalizing sometimes as it gives us the time to craft the words, selecting ones that send the message without coming across in ways that unintentionally hurt the other person. Your idea about learning the child’s love language makes sense! A deeper understanding is a good thing. Thank you for the thoughtful comment and for sharing on social media too! HUGS