Teen Anxiety: Signs Your Teen May Need Extra Support
Updated: Oct 2
The teenage years can bring a lot of change. School pressure, friendships, family relationships, social media, expectations about the future and simply trying to work out who they are can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Teen anxiety
Teen anxiety can look different for every young person. Feeling anxious from time to time is a normal part of life, and some anxiety can even help young people prepare for challenges, stay motivated or recognise when something matters to them.
But when worry becomes difficult to switch off, causes a teenager to avoid things they would normally do, or begins interfering with school, friendships, sleep or everyday life, they may benefit from some extra support.
What can anxiety look like in teenagers?
Teen anxiety does not always look like obvious nervousness.
Sometimes a young person may tell you they feel worried or overwhelmed. Other times, anxiety can show itself through changes in their behaviour, mood or physical wellbeing.
You might notice your teenager:
worrying excessively about school, friendships, family or the future
becoming more withdrawn or avoiding social situations
avoiding school, particular classes, activities or places
becoming increasingly worried about what other people think
struggling to concentrate or complete schoolwork
asking for reassurance repeatedly
having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
becoming restless, tense or unusually irritable
complaining about headaches, stomach discomfort or feeling physically unwell
experiencing a racing heart, shakiness, dizziness or shortness of breath when anxious
Anxiety affects every young person differently.
Having one or two of these signs does not automatically mean that a teenager has an anxiety disorder. What is more important is the pattern, how long it has been happening and how much it is affecting their everyday life.
Why might my teenager be anxious?
There is not always one clear reason.
Teenagers are navigating a stage of life where many things are changing at once. Anxiety may be connected with school or study pressure, friendships, family difficulties, relationships, social expectations, stressful life events, grief, trauma or other challenges.
Sometimes parents can clearly see what has triggered a change.
At other times, a teenager may struggle to explain why they feel anxious.
For parents, this can be difficult. You may know that something is not quite right while also finding that every attempt to talk about it ends with:
"I'm fine."
or
"I don't know."
That does not necessarily mean your teenager does not want support.
Sometimes they simply do not yet have the words to describe what is happening.
When does normal worry become something to pay attention to?
Rather than focusing only on how worried your teenager seems, it can be helpful to consider how much the anxiety is affecting their life.
It may be worth seeking additional support when anxiety:
continues for weeks or months
regularly interferes with school
stops them doing activities they previously enjoyed
affects friendships or family relationships
leads to increasing avoidance
affects sleep or concentration
causes significant distress
appears to be becoming more difficult to manage
Seeking support does not mean things have to be at crisis point.
Sometimes having a neutral person outside the family gives a young person space to make sense of what they are experiencing.
How can counselling help with teen anxiety?
Counselling can provide a young person with a calm and supportive environment to talk through what has been happening at their own pace.
The aim is not simply to tell a teenager to "stop worrying".
Instead, counselling can help them better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, physical responses and behaviours.
Depending on the young person's needs, counselling may focus on:
recognising anxiety and understanding how it affects the body
identifying unhelpful patterns of thinking
developing practical coping strategies
learning emotional regulation skills
building confidence in managing difficult situations
problem-solving
understanding triggers
gradually reducing avoidance
strengthening communication and self-awareness
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, is one approach that can be used to support young people experiencing anxiety.
CBT can help young people recognise connections between their thoughts, feelings and behaviours and develop more helpful ways of responding to difficult situations.
What can parents do at home?
You do not need to have all the answers.
Sometimes one of the most helpful things a parent can do is create opportunities for conversation without making every conversation about anxiety.
Try listening before immediately trying to solve the problem.
Instead of saying:
"There's nothing to worry about."
you might try:
"It sounds like this has been really stressful for you. Do you want to tell me more about it?"
Maintaining predictable routines can also help.
Encouraging healthy sleep, regular activity, time away from screens and continued connection with everyday activities can provide young people with some stability while they work through what they are experiencing.
It can also be helpful to gently encourage a teenager not to let anxiety gradually make their world smaller.
Teen counselling in Perth
At Naviva, counselling for young people is calm, respectful and tailored to the individual.
As a social worker-led service, the focus is not only on the symptoms a young person is experiencing.
We also consider what may be happening around them, including relationships, family circumstances, school, significant changes and the environments they are navigating.
Our approach is trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred, with practical strategies that can help young people better understand their emotions, strengthen coping skills and work towards meaningful change.
In-person counselling is available in Shelley, Perth, with telehealth also available.
If you have noticed your teenager becoming increasingly worried, withdrawn, overwhelmed or avoidant, you do not have to wait until things reach crisis point before seeking support.
Looking for support for your teenager?
If you would like to discuss whether counselling may be suitable for your teenager, you are welcome to contact Naviva for a confidential enquiry.
Sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation about what has been happening and what kind of support may be helpful.
Contact Naviva to enquire about teen counselling in Perth.
This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice. If anxiety is significantly affecting your teenager's daily life, consider speaking with your GP or another qualified health professional. If a young person is in immediate danger or at risk of harming themselves or someone else, call Triple Zero (000).
Comments