How to Know the Signs & Symptoms of Teen Anxiety
We all experience growing pains. But as we get older and wiser, it's normal that, over time, we forget about them. We often look back at the past focusing on the good memories and ignoring the bad ones. Looking at the past, we view it wistfully and mournfully, realizing we will never get the carefree times back we had as teenagers.
There's just one problem with that. We forget what it's like to be a teenager.
As an adult, it's easy to look back on our formative years and compare them to our now adult lives. How much simpler and easier it all was—no bills to pay, hardly any household responsibilities, and not having to work. What this does is completely undermine the experience of being a teenager. In some ways, yes, things were a lot easier. But that doesn't mean being a teenager is a walk in the park.
So as parents, we don't always know how to recognize the signs of mental health issues such as anxiety—just chalking it up to teen angst or mood swings.
Teens Shouldn't Have Anxiety, Because There's Nothing To Worry About!
In a perfect world, that statement may be true. But teenagers have plenty that they worry about. The pressure teens face is just as real and damaging to their mental health even though it's not the same as the pressures we face as adults.
Teenagers are in limbo between adulthood and childhood. They aren't kids anymore, but they also don't have all the privileges that come with age. They worry about grades, college, a place to live...drama with friends, dating, and the list goes on and on. Thanks to social media, today's teens are being bombarded with societal pressure to look perfect, fit in, and be involved with every activity they can.
Living up to other people's expectations of their life can add to the recipe for disaster that makes anxiety really common in teens. But how can you spot anxiety in teens?
Signs & Symptoms Of Anxiety In Teens
Most symptoms of anxiety are universal, regardless of age or gender. Looking at their lifestyle and how busy they are can indicate whether or not they are juggling too much on their plate. They won't always open up, or express feeling overwhelmed, though.
If you aren't sure if your teen is experiencing anxiety, ask yourself any of the following questions:
Has there been a change in their sleeping habits?
Are they eating less or more than normal?
Are they isolating themselves from friends or not participating in activities they normally enjoy?
How are their grades? Has there been a decline in their performance at school?
Do they commonly complain about stomachaches or headaches?
More than just teenage growing pains, most of these signs indicate that something more is happening to them.
How To Help Your Teen If They Are Experiencing Anxiety
Maybe you are recognizing some of those signs in your own teenager. But, now what? First, you should let them know that if they are going through something, it's normal and valid. Tell them it's okay to talk about their fears and worries over the future. Despite what they may think, you were a teenager once yourself.
Second, let them know you are a safe space. Sometimes, teens hesitate to reach out to their parents because they don't want to worry them even more. However, teens need to feel support and love, too.
Finally, don't be afraid to encourage them to talk to a therapist. Mental health concerns are no longer as taboo as they once were, but the stigma still exists. As a therapist, I can help teach them and you ways to manage symptoms through anxiety therapy. Let's connect soon so you can see how teen counseling can help them.
