Don’t Bother Me: Four Things You Should Know about Adolescent Anxiety Disorders
My children are still quite small, but I know the day is coming fast when they will be teens. That means while raising my kids to be competent, engaged adults, I am at the same time looking out for potential problems, including anxiety. What’s the difference between a moody teenager and a young person too anxious to leave their room? While wanting more independence from adults is a natural part of teenage years, experiencing a level of anxiety that interferes with their daily functioning is not only unhealthy, it could be a sign of the onset of an anxiety disorder. Here are four things all parents and family members of teens should understand about anxiety disorders and why you should be on the lookout for them in your child’s behavior.
- Anxiety in adolescence is common. The onset of anxiety and other mental health disorders occurs among adolescents with surprising frequency. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates as many as one in four teens between the ages of 13 and 18 have an anxiety disorder. It’s natural to be worried about a child that displays symptoms of excessive anxiety, but understand that many families have been in your shoes and have found ways to help their child build better coping skills and ultimately thrive.
- Don’t call it a “phase.” It’s easy to dismiss excessive anxiety as simply another “phase” your child is going through as they mature from children to young, independent adults. But trying to minimize or dismiss a health concern like an anxiety disorder won’t do anyone any favors. Take your child, their emotions and their thoughts, seriously in order to get them the help they need to avoid the unnecessary pain caused by excessive anxiety.
- Help doesn’t have to mean medicine. If you suspect that your teen may be experiencing the onset of an anxiety disorder, don’t panic. You have many options going forward that will help you and your teen. Most important, if you are worried about your teen, make sure you take time to talk with them directly about these issues and involve them in the treatment process. Once everyone is on the same page, consider a whole host of treatment options including therapy, extracurricular activities and even mindfulness practices, to help your teen better understand and overcome their condition.
- Treatment now means fewer problems later. One of the biggest factors contributing to anxiety disorders, especially in children, is a lack of adequate coping mechanisms to handle common stressors like preparing for a big test, the poor health of a parent, or violence experienced nearby or witnessed on television/social media. By recognizing your child’s anxiety and working together to take action and get them help, you and your child are making an intentional effort to build healthy coping mechanisms your child will continue to use throughout their lifetime.
Recognizing a mental health condition in your child can trigger your own worst fears, making you wonder if the condition is somehow your fault. But by being aware of your child’s changing behavior, listening to them, taking them seriously and getting them the help they need, you can be sure you’re doing everything you can to give them the hand up they require to deal effectively with anxiety. Recovery is common and anxiety expressed now does not mean a lifetime sentence of “disorders.” Just knowing you are there to support them will go a long way toward making your child feel less anxious.
When you recognize harmful patterns and seek treatment, you can increase your chances of leading a healthier life. Cliffside Malibu is here to support you in your search for an alcohol-free life. We believe you deserve to have a private, comfortable and luxurious environment as you navigate your journey to a sober life. Our center allows you to explore your mental health needs, creates a treatment plan that is unique to you and allows you to discover beneficial coping skills. To learn more about alcohol treatment at Cliffside Malibu, call (855) 403-5641.