Hidden signs of
Anxiety in Teenagers
Anxiety in Teenagers
Experiencing anxiety is a normal part of the human experience. A level of anxiety in teenagers is very normal too. Most anxiety teenagers experience is ‘situational’ anxiety – there is a reason they are feeling overwhelmed or stressed and when that reason no longer exists, the stress levels will decrease naturally.
It is when anxiety is stopping you from living your daily life. Anxiety in teenagers is common, with 1 in 4 experiencing a level of anxiety or stress. According to the Mission Youth Australia survey, coping with stress is the main personal concern experienced by young people today. And according to Beyondblue, 1 in 14 young Australians was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in 2015. (NB – these stats are dated but according to new research the numbers have increased rather than decreased).
What is anxiety in teenagers?
Remember, everyone gets stressed at times, it is a very normal part of life. Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. Anxiety is an unpleasant state and mostly caused by a perceived threat. Please read that again. Anxiety is mostly caused a PERCEIVED threat, not an actual threat.
Many young people are not taught that experiencing a level of anxiety is normal and most aspects in life are in fact, out of our control. The definition of anxiety is worrying excessively about an uncertain outcome. In reality, we cannot control so many areas in life and this is causing greater levels of anxiety.
Types of anxiety in teenagers
There are many different types of anxiety disorders and these can all be experienced on different levels. Anxiety in teenagers often starts with self-diagnoses – I am always really stressed. It is when anxiety starts to interfere with day to day living, and for no apparent reason, that an anxiety disorder may be given. The most common anxiety disorders in teens are:
- Generalised anxiety disorder: Anxiety or worry that isn’t about one specific thing, but can be about many everyday situations
- Social anxiety: Fear of being in public situations where people might judge you
- Panic disorder: repeated panic attacks that make you feel fear or terror, or like you’re having a heart attack.
- Agoraphobia: Fear of being in a situation from which escape might be difficult.
- Specific phobia: Severe or intense fear of a specific situation or object.
- Separation anxiety disorder: Extreme fear of being separated from a loved one or home.
Signs of anxiety in teenagers
Emotional Signs. Most teenagers are naturally emotional people but when they are struggling with anxiety, their emotions are often heightened. Some emotional signs are feeling on edge or being in a continual state of overwhelm. Excessive worry about physical symptoms such as a doctor missing a diagnosis of a medical problem. Feeling constantly tense or nervous or on edge, even when in a secure and familiar environment.
Social Signs. When teens are struggling with anxiety, they often begin to withdraw from social situations and this impacts their friendships. Teenagers require friendships as part of their emotional development and it is this age they naturally seek more time with friends rather than family. So when a teen is avoiding social interactions, isolating themselves from friendship groups and spending more time alone, this can have a major impact on their development.
Physical Signs. Anxiety starts with unwanted thoughts. The power of these unwanted thoughts causes physical reactions. Some of the more common physical signs of anxiety are increased heart rate, shortness of breath, muscle tension, dizziness, hot & cold flushes, fatigue, and even vomiting. The more a teenager worries or stresses over the physical signs, the more likely they are to increase the levels in their body.
Behavioural Signs. Teenagers can behave inconsistently at the best of times so this is just a rough guide. The more you know your teenager, the more you will recognise these types of behavioural signs. Many teens start to detach themselves from surroundings, perform certain activities in an obsessive manner, avoiding eye contact, making even basic decisions become a challenge, sleep patterns change to where they can struggle to go to sleep or staying asleep. Anxiety often starts to affect school performance and many teens want to avoid attending school.
Anxiety begins with our thoughts and our thoughts are something we can work on – together. Negative thoughts such as “I’m going crazy”, “People are judging me”, “I can’t control myself”, “I feel so out of control”, are often the starting point when dealing with anxiety. Working with your teenager on changing these thoughts to positive ones and being open to discuss their overwhelming worry is a great place to start with anxiety.
However, if you feel your teen is struggling more than they used to or their anxiety is out of your control, please seek help. There is so much help and anxiety is a treatable condition. A great place to start – after you have talked with your teen, is seeing your GP. They are well informed about anxiety and have all the local contacts to get you and your teenager assistance. Heading to websites such as Beyondblue or Reach Out or Headspace are also great resources.
I do a lot of work for Beyondblue and their professionalism and respect for mental conditions is amazing. Don’t let your teen struggle alone – reach out and start a conversation today. They are still developing and growing and often don’t know where to turn.
Have a beautiful day.
Linking up with Kylie for #IBOT and Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
Good post! I thought Agoraphobia was something else. That makes sense tho. #IBOT
Thanks for checking in and reading
It must be hard to recognise in teens because of how …strange (for lack of a better word!!) being a teen is!
It’s funny you say that because I hear many teens self-diagnose themselves as having anxiety. There is a HUGE difference between struggling with constant anxiety & feeling anxious over circumstances. We all get anxious at times. It’s normal!!! But when the anxiety starts to take over your life and stops you from doing simple daily takes – this is when you need extra support.
My second son has anxiety and often it comes out with aggressive language and behavior. It can be very taxing and hard to remind myself in the throws of it that it is an anxiety response and to help him work through that. Thank you for this useful post!
Thanks for sharing Jen. I hope your beautiful son is getting the support he needs and you are also getting support. Anxiety is a workable condition – not always easy but worth all the hard work.
It is so challenging to help a teen as we know in one example in our extended family but fortunately she has received professional help and has developed strategies of her own. Doesn’t mean it isn’t hard watching someone you love finding life’s challenges hard.
Thanks for reminding us about this Natalie.
Denyse x
It is heartbreaking and most of the time we just want to take over and fix the problem. But we can’t. Teens need to learn that problems are OK and they have the resources to find the solutions. But parents need to be present to see and offer a new way to do things.
I’m know just how debilitating anxiety can be for young people. But as you said, there are many options for support out there these days that can really help – GPs, psychologists, organisations, apps with resources, meditations and relaxations. #teamIBOT
It is a treatable and workable condition & it breaks my heart when young people just don’t know that.
I don’t have kids so don’t have that frame of reference but certainly know what it’s like for me now. And when I was a teen (15) I developed anorexia nervosa and my personality changed completely in my final year of school. There was minimal help where I lived at the time (and then – mid 1980s – so it took years before I sought any help. I’m not sure I ever resolved the issues that led me there in the first place, but I’m better at managing them now.
I’m so happy you are managing it now. I struggled with Bulimia when I was in my teens and it wasn’t until about 5 years ago that I realised it was a form of mental illness. I just thought I was weak & desperate to be different
Great information & resources Natalie! It’s very hard to recognise in a teen as their moods can be all over the place anyway. Some boys in particular also tend to withdraw a bit anyway from parents/family – you know how you can just get the odd grunt (I had one of these!). So it pays to be observant and try and keep the lines of communication open. #TeamLovinLife
I couldn’t agree more. Grunting is normal and even answering a question with a one-word answer is common. Do you think this is where being present as a parent is so vital to helping your kids keep on top of their mental health?
This is very good information for parents with teens. My daughter suffers from anxiety – she is 28 and works as a doctor. I saw a lot of these signs when she was in her teens but just thought she was being a little neurotic or highly strung. I wish I’d know more about this condition and maybe got her some help. These days she uses yoga, meditation and mindful thinking to get a handle on it. #LovinLifeTeam
Thanks. I’m keeping an eye on this closely for my two right now with what they are going through with their big sister. I’ve alerted friends parents and teachers of our situation for our lad, because he’s just not talking about it with us. Turns out he is talking about it with friends, so I am very relieved to hear that.
Talking with someone is a perfect start. As parents we love the thought of our kids opening up to us but if they are more comfortable with other people, that’s a great start.
Thanks for explaining that dizziness and vomiting can be physical indicators of anxiety. My son has been throwing up before going to school almost every day, and I am worried that he may be having a difficult time making friends since we recently moved in. Maybe I should find a professional to help him relieve his anxiety.