For teens, life often feels like an emotional roller coaster. There are ups, downs and all kinds of stress that come along with the pressure to keep up grades and fit in with their friends. Watching your teen struggle and not knowing what to say or do can also be hard for you as a parent. After all, how can you tell whether your teen is just dealing with typical adolescent stress or something more serious like anxiety?
Here we’ll cover symptoms to look out for and our recommendations for helping teens with anxiety cope with life’s challenges. We’ll also discuss how to know when it’s time to consider getting professional support.
NEED IMMEDIATE HELP?
If your teen is experiencing a mental health crisis, support is available 24/7:
- 988 Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Free, available 24/7, and confidential)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME or HOLA to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor
- Emergency Services: If in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
What Is Anxiety and How Does It Affect Teens?
Anxiety is a natural response to challenging situations that may cause worry, fear or unease. While occasional anxiety is a normal part of adolescence, it can become more concerning if it is persistent, disproportionate to the situation or interferes with everyday life.
It can be easy to confuse anxiety with stress. Stress is a response connected to a specific situation and eases once it passes. Being stressed over an upcoming exam or presentation is a common example. Once that situation passes, most people normally feel much better.
Anxiety is different since it may persist or spread to other areas of life. It can also significantly affect concentration, sleep, school performance, friendships, activities and family life. Over time, anxiety can gradually make your teen’s world much smaller as they withdraw from school, friends and hobbies.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 31.9% of U.S. adolescents experience an anxiety disorder at some point. Fortunately, anxiety is treatable [1]. Teens with anxiety disorders may benefit from talk therapy, building positive coping strategies or a combination of treatment options.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety in Teens
Anxiety affects people of all ages. However, it can look different in teenagers. Instead of obvious fear or worry, it may manifest as anger, irritability or avoidance. It may even materialize in behaviors that look like defiance. Some signs and symptoms of anxiety in teens include [2]:
- Not wanting to go to school or participate in activities
- Frequently complaining about headaches, stomachaches or other physical problems
- Acting more frustrated, angry or defensive than usual
- Sleeping much more or less than usual
- Struggling to concentrate or pay attention
- Being overly worried about making mistakes
- Frequently looking for reassurance
- Losing interest in spending time with friends
- Giving up activities they once enjoyed
Some teens may also struggle with another form of anxiety called “social anxiety.” Signs of social anxiety include refusing to speak (or participate) in class, becoming intensely worried about being judged by others, withdrawing from their peers and avoiding group situations.
Anxiety is a real and treatable mental health challenge that can be helped with professional care [3]. By recognizing these signs, you can see anxiety in your teenager for what it is and get them the support that they need. Reaching out to an expert is important for diagnosis and for learning how to help a teen with social anxiety or other forms of anxiety.
What Is Anxiety and How Does It Affect Teens?
There’s usually more than just one cause of teen anxiety. Different factors often play a role. Some of the most common ones include:
- Academic pressure: Keeping up with grades and planning for the future
- Problems with friends or classmates: Peer pressure or bullying
- Family conflict and stress at home: Family stress, financial problems, conflict with siblings
- Life changes: Some examples include moving, switching schools or experiencing a loss
- Social media: Social comparison triggered by highlight reels, constant scrolling
- Not getting enough sleep: Staying up late
- Too many responsibilities: Participating in too many activities or working too much
Not every teen experiences anxiety for the same reasons. In some cases, everyday stress can build up and become difficult to manage without getting the proper support.
How To Help a Teen With Anxiety: 6 Ways That Work
It’s tough to see your teen struggle with anxiety. While you can’t make their symptoms disappear overnight, there are many other things you can do to support them. Here are a few ways you can try helping teens with anxiety manage symptoms and feel less alone.
#1 Talk When the Pressure Is Low (Reduces Defensiveness)
As a parent, it’s important to practice open communication with your child and approach the topic when your teen isn’t already stressed or upset. A relaxed setting can make it easier for them to open up. Trying to start a conversation with them when they’re already stressed out may cause them to shut down or even become defensive.
Asking open-ended questions can encourage them to elaborate on how they’re feeling. You could start by saying something like, “I’ve noticed you seem stressed lately. How have you been feeling?” Allow them enough time to answer and try to listen without interrupting.
Try to avoid saying things like “That’s nothing to worry about,” or dismissing their fears as silly or unrealistic. Let them know that their feelings matter and that you are there to listen. By doing so, you can help them feel safe enough to talk about what they may be going through.
#2 Be a Calm, Steady Presence
Children (including teenagers) often look to their parents for cues about how threatening a situation is. What you say and how you say it has an influence on your teenager’s values and behavior. It’s important that you validate their feelings that something is difficult without making them feel as though they can’t handle it. Your response doesn’t have to be perfect, nor do you have to immediately fix whatever the problem may be. By being a calm, steady presence, you can reassure your teenager that they are supported, even during times they feel scared or overwhelmed.
#3 Help Them Regain a Sense of Control
A common cause of anxiety is an overloaded schedule. Participating in too many extracurriculars in addition to schoolwork can be stressful, especially if your teen has little time to rest. When determining how to help your teen with anxiety, it’s important to evaluate whether their commitments have become too much to handle. If overscheduling seems to be contributing to your teenager’s anxiety, sit down with them and help them figure out how to adjust their schedule. See if they can cut back on an activity or two. It’s important to let your teen take the lead in this process instead of making the decisions for them. This way, they’ll feel a greater sense of control and be more capable of problem-solving on their own.
#4 Practice Coping Strategies Together
Teens learn by watching the adults around them, including their parents. Instead of just telling your teenager to relax or manage their anxiety symptoms on their own, try practicing positive coping strategies along with them. These can include things like:
- Eating regular, balanced meals
- Getting plenty of rest
- Taking a walk outside
- Taking a break from social media
- Practicing relaxation techniques
- Writing in a journal
- Making time for favorite hobbies
Modeling these skills regularly for your teen can help them manage their anxiety in a healthier way. They will also feel more prepared when stressful situations arise.
#5 Watch for Overhelping
It’s understandable to want to try to solve your teen’s conflicts or manage their schedule to ease their anxiety. After all, you love your child. Although stepping in can temporarily alleviate their anxiety, helping your teen with their anxiety too much and doing things for your teen when they are fully capable of handling the situation themselves can shift from helpful support toward accommodation.
Overhelping and constantly rescuing your child (or letting them avoid anxiety-provoking situations) may inadvertently be sending them the message that they are incapable of handling things on their own. Over time, they may start to internalize this belief, which can turn into self-doubt and fear when facing new challenges.
Another term for this pattern is family accommodation. Research has shown that accommodation is especially prevalent among families of anxious children [4]. It’s important to remember that accommodation is not bad parenting. It comes from a place of love and an understandable desire to reduce your child’s stress.
A well-established approach designed to help parents respond differently to adolescent anxiety is called the SPACE approach (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) [5]. To use the SPACE method, instead of swooping in to protect or shield your teen from their anxiety triggers, try to assure them that even though the fear is uncomfortable, they can handle it.
By gradually reducing the accommodations you have made for them and expressing confidence that they are strong enough to tolerate uncomfortable feelings, you encourage them to practice their coping skills more. The goal isn’t to force them into situations before they’re ready. It’s to help them build confidence in their ability to cope rather than automatically avoiding whatever makes them anxious. The more they practice, the better they become at facing these challenges. Over time, their confidence grows, and their anxiety should begin to diminish.
Healthy Support | Family Accommodation |
|---|---|
Practicing a presentation at home together before class. | Calling the teacher and demanding the teen be excused from speaking. |
Offering occasional reassurance | Reassuring the teen repeatedly. |
Encouraging the teen to attend school while offering a grounding exercise to use. | Writing an excuse note to keep the teen home when they feel anxious. |
#6 Support Healthier Screen and Social Media Habits
Research shows that high amounts of daily screen time are associated with increased anxiety symptoms [6]. Teenagers spend a lot of time viewing social media. While social media is a good way to connect with friends and family, it can sometimes contribute to anxiety.
Viewing highlight reels, vacation photos and influencer lifestyles can make teens feel as though their real lives don’t measure up to what they see online. At the same time, it’s still important to understand that social media plays a huge part in many teenagers’ lives, and being overly restrictive isn’t helpful either. If possible, have your teen determine what healthy limits look like and encourage them to take breaks, especially before bedtime.
When Should You Get Professional Help for Teen Anxiety?
Many teens are able to develop positive coping mechanisms for everyday stress. However, in some cases, professional anxiety treatment may be necessary. Expert support may be helpful when anxiety:
- Gets in the way of academics or school attendance
- Causes increasing avoidance of triggers
- Produces frequent physical symptoms
- Causes a significant amount of distress
- Significantly affects their friendships or family life
- Symptoms seem to be getting worse and not better
Sometimes anxiety and stressful life events can lead to a more serious mental health crisis. If your teenager is struggling with severe panic, distress, self-harm or expressing warning signs of suicide, then reach out for emergency medical help immediately.
You Don't Have To Figure This Out Alone
Sometimes anxiety needs more support than a family can provide at home. If your child needs professional help, this doesn’t mean that you’ve failed as a parent or handled the situation incorrectly. Your teen can receive the structured support they need without having to step away from school or their daily life.
Cornerstone Healing Center offers a virtual IOP for teens to help them address their anxiety symptoms and the unique challenges they face. A conversation with Cornerstone’s team can help figure out whether your teen’s anxiety needs more structured support.
Take the next step today:
- Verify Insurance Coverage: Check your insurance benefits online in minutes.
- Call Our Care Team: Reach us directly at (888) 583-3480 to speak with an admissions specialist.
- Read More Resources: Explore our clinical mental health library for additional guidance.
Remember, you don’t have to figure this out alone. Get in touch with our team for support as you help your teen navigate their anxiety!
Explore Options for Teen Anxiety Treatment
Get in touch with our team to learn how you can support your teen as they naviage anxiety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of anxiety in high school students?
Anxiety symptoms in students can look very different from teen to teen and include avoidance behaviors, decline in academic performance, irritability, moodiness and constant reassurance-seeking.
How is normal teenage stress different from clinical anxiety?
Normal teenage stress is usually connected to a specific situation and tends to improve once that stressor passes. Anxiety may persist even when there isn’t an immediate threat or may begin affecting multiple areas of a teen’s life.
How do I talk to my teen about anxiety without making them defensive?
Instead of jumping straight into fixing the problem, lead with specific observations and empathy. Validate their feelings and never minimize what they’re going through. Also, try not to jump straight into problem-solving and resist the urge to interrupt.
Can I accidentally make my teen's anxiety worse by trying to help?
Yes, by constantly rescuing your teen or allowing them to avoid their anxiety triggers (family accommodation), you may accidentally make their symptoms worse.
How do I help a teen with social anxiety?
If your teenager is dealing with social anxiety, practice active listening, encourage them to take small steps and tackle small goals (like saying hello to a classmate). You can also practice basic social situations at home, like ordering food or starting a conversation
When does teen anxiety require professional help?
Your teenager may need professional help when their anxiety starts to interfere with their daily life, health or safety. Other red flags include skipping school, isolating from friends and difficulty sleeping or eating.
If you or your teen are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line. Help is available 24/7, including on holidays.
