It seems that teenagers today have so much more to worry about, but many do not have any way to show it or deal with it. If you have a teenager that you are concerned is falling victim to stress and teenage anxiety, there are several symptoms that you can watch for so you will know when to get your child the help that they need. Some of the main symptoms that are
associated with teenage anxiety include:
1. Irritability or anger bursts that seem to come out of nowhere
2. Difficulty concentrating
3. Feeling of not being in control of themselves or their lives
4. Irrational fear that cannot be explained
5. Problems sleeping – insomnia
6. Dizziness
7. Problems swallowing
8. Stomach problems such as diarrhea that will not go away or gets worse when they have to go to an event, school, or new place
9. Tightness in their chest, sometimes developing into a really painful episode
10. Constant need to go to the bathroom
11. Uneasy feelings that are unfounded – such as constant worry that something is wrong
12. Abdominal problems and pains that aren’t associated with any other physical problem
13. Dry mouth
14. Worry that they, or loved ones, will die
Keep in mind that some worry as a teenager is normal, but excessive worry is not. You need to pay attention to how your child acts and reacts to new things, places, people and worries that come into their lives. While most teenagers are easily able to cope and deal with teenage anxiety or stress in their lives, others have a harder time dealing with it and will need help. If left untreated, teenage anxiety can develop into larger anxiety disorders later on and can plague your child throughout their life.
If you identify serious signs of distress in your child, make sure to start out by talking to him/her and try to have them express their feelings a precisely as possible. In younger children, artwork or indirect mentions of events can lead to better results than direct questions. Your family doctor can be of great help, even if they are not a specialist of anxiety in children. Have them refer you to another health professional if you feel the need for specialized help. This help can be provided by another doctor, a therapist or natural health practitioner. Make sure to consult someone that is experienced with children panic, stress or anxiety.
There are many great treatments for teenage anxiety that can help and sometimes completely turn around anxiety problems before they get too bad. Some of the treatments for teenage anxiety can include a change in your child’s diet, more physical activity, relaxation techniques, and even medication. While every child responds to different types of treatments, you may need to try a few before you find the one that works the best for your child. So don’t get discouraged if the first treatment or two that you try do not work. Simply keep going through the different treatment options for teenage anxiety and you will find one that will help your child.
More information on anxiety in children at AnxietyChildren.net. Learn about causes, symptoms and treatments. Read our independent Anxiety Free Child Program reviews before you decide what to do.