Anxiety in teenagers can be challenging to spot with the usual ups and downs of the teen years. But fear not! There are some tangible strategies to help identify whether your teen is experiencing anxiety so that’s what I’m here to share!
Before we get into this too deep I feel it’s important to share that Anxiety is the word used to explain the emotion FEAR. When we feel fear … we can behave anxiously. So when someone struggles with anxiety it’s because their nervous system is hyper-focused on avoiding the feeling of fear… it is not because they are oversensitive or a bit of a worrier… it’s because they don’t like to feel fear… not such a crazy concept.. I don’t like it… BUT as we know, you can go through life having no bad feelings and learning how to manage these emotions is key!
So, how can you spot the signs?
One key indicator is changes in behavior. Keep an eye out for shifts like
– withdrawing from social activities
– avoiding previously enjoyed hobbies
– struggling academically despite their capabilities.
But not just these slightly more obvious changes, keep an eye out for little changes that can indicate anxiety is on the rise in your teen.
Maybe it’s a change in what they want to eat.
Or their room is relatively clean (in their terms, not yours! Haha) and it’s getting messier.
Maybe they are good at being organised and now they are always in a flap.
What I mean here is usually there are subtle self-care things that your teen does (things they enjoy or that make them comfortable or connected) these are the first things to drop to make room for anxiety. These could be red flags signalling underlying building anxiety. Finding these, even better helping your teen become aware of these, is an absolute gift in helping maintain control.
Think of anxiety as a puzzle with various pieces. One of the key pieces would be physical symptoms Anxiety carries with it a lot of potential physical feelings. like headaches from the constant thinking and chewing over the worst fears inside their heads. Stomach aches – anxiety is a feeling very similar to excitement, that butterfly feeling can be excitement but also anxiety.. the problem is without something exciting ahead these flutterings can make you feel like you could hurl at any moment or can just be a constant pain in the pit of their stomach.
Another symptom is difficulty sleeping, not to be confused with a slight shift to nocturnal living which can be very common in teens, this is the inability to sleep because of the continuous stream of thoughts…the inside of their head just not stopping and finding that even worse when they are lying in bed with no noise or distractions.
As well as this being fidgety, maybe even feeling pins and needles can be anxiety. Feeling hot and sweaty at the height of a fear point or when stuck in their thoughts can also be a sign (so a new smell of sweat on your teens clothes may be an indicator) These clues, when pieced together, can reveal a bigger picture of your teen’s mental state.
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So if you think your teen is struggling with anxiety please try not to panic. You know… don’t go into an anxious state yourself!
Communication is vital in navigating this journey with your teenager. Create a safe space for them to open up if they can, where they feel comfortable expressing their emotions without fear of judgment. Remember, listening is more important than talking if you want to do this!
Overall, if you feel your teen is struggling with anxiety, trust your parental instincts. If something feels off, don’t hesitate to seek professional help if it feels appropriate. A GP, licensed therapist or counselor can provide valuable support and guidance tailored to your teen’s specific needs. If in doubt… check it out!
To recap, identifying anxiety in your teenager involves observing behavioural changes, recognizing physical symptoms, fostering open communication, trusting your instincts, and seeking professional assistance if necessary.
Always remember just because your teen is struggling with something, this doesn’t mean that you did something wrong or missed something. If you are reading this .. you are clearly trying hard to help… that’s a sign of a good parent! 🙂
