Everyone (including your teen) has a little worry now and then. In fact, it can be useful for increasing energy and focus for important events like taking the ACT or playing in the state championship hockey game.
So how do we know when anxiety is a problem? When does worry become too much? We have broken down the way doctors, psychiatrists and therapists diagnose anxiety issues in teens. Here are ten signs your teen is struggling with anxiety.
If your teen experiences 6 or more of the above symptoms, there is a good chance they are struggling with anxiety of some sort.
So what now? What do you do?
Start by talking with them. Check in with them often. Try and help reassure them about their worries. If that doesn’t seem to help, it may be time to talk to primary care and ask for suggestions, or reach out to a therapist or a counselor who specializes in work with children and adolescents, so that you and your teen can learn some skills to help manage the anxiety.
If you have questions, call us! We can help!
About the author:
Katie Zuverink is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) living in Grand Rapids, MI. She specializes in trauma work with kids and parents, and she especially loves coaching adults through difficult parenting dynamics. She also loves working with women’s issues (anxiety, depression, balancing the life of being a woman in today’s world). For more on Katie, read her full bio.
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