Understanding Teen Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders in adolescence, often emerging or intensifying during the teen years. It's normal for teenagers to experience worries and stress – about school, friendships, college, the future – but teen anxiety goes beyond the typical jitters or occasional nervousness.
An anxiety disorder in a teen is characterized by intense, persistent fear or worry that is hard to control and affects daily life. Teen anxiety can take several forms, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Phobias, and related issues like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Adolescents face numerous pressures that can fuel anxiety: academic expectations, social media and peer comparison, family conflicts, traumatic experiences, or hormonal changes. Additionally, some teens are simply more biologically prone to anxiety – it can run in families and is influenced by brain chemistry. Importantly, anxiety disorders are real illnesses, not just "drama" or something a teen will outgrow on their own.
While many people may get anxious occasionally, a true anxiety disorder can cause significant distress and impairment, requiring attention and treatment. The good news is that anxiety is highly treatable, and with proper support, teens can learn to manage their symptoms effectively.
Signs and Symptoms
Emotional and Cognitive Signs
- —— Excessive worry about everyday situations
- —— Constant concerns and irrational fears
- —— Difficulty concentrating due to racing thoughts
- —— Dread about specific activities
Physical Symptoms
- —— Frequent stomachaches or headaches
- —— Rapid heart rate and breathing
- —— Sweating, trembling, or feeling faint
- —— Fatigue and sleep disturbances
Behavioral Changes
An anxious teen often starts avoiding situations that trigger their anxiety. For example, a teen with social anxiety might withdraw from friends, skip parties, or eat lunch alone. Avoidance can extend to extracurricular activities, sports, or anything outside their comfort zone – leading to reduced participation in things they used to enjoy.
Our Treatment Approach
Evidence-Based Therapies
We employ evidence-based therapies proven to work for anxiety disorders. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps teens identify and challenge anxious thoughts. We also use Exposure Therapy techniques in a gentle, controlled way, and teach DBT skills for emotional regulation.
Mindfulness and Relaxation
A key part of our anxiety program is teaching practical relaxation techniques and stress-reduction strategies. This includes deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and mindfulness meditation.
Skills for Managing Anxiety
Beyond formal therapy, we focus on building coping skills and healthy habits. Teens learn to identify triggers, use positive self-talk, break large tasks into smaller steps, and communicate their needs assertively.
Family Involvement and Peer Support
Family Education and Support
We incorporate families into teen anxiety treatment as much as possible. Family involvement is essential to help create a supportive home environment for the teen's recovery.
In family sessions, we educate parents about anxiety disorders and guide families on how to respond to anxiety episodes, providing strategies for supporting their teen while encouraging healthy independence.
Peer Support Groups
Many anxious teens feel isolated or "weird" because of their worries. In our teen anxiety groups, they discover they're not alone – peers openly discuss similar fears and feelings. This in itself is healing and helps to "de-stigmatize" their experience.
Group sessions allow for practical exercises in a supportive setting. Group members share tips on what helps them, and they support each other in facing fears. This camaraderie shows teens that anxiety is a common struggle that can be overcome together.
Anxiety is highly treatable. At The Redpoint Center, we combine evidence-based therapies with compassionate support to help teens understand their anxiety, develop effective coping strategies, and gradually face their fears in a safe, supportive environment. Our goal is to empower teens to take control of their anxiety rather than letting it control them.
Treatment Components
Individual Therapy
One-on-one CBT and other evidence-based approaches to address personal anxiety triggers and develop coping strategies.
Group Support
Peer groups where teens discover they're not alone and practice social skills in a supportive environment.
Family Education
Teaching families how to support their anxious teen without enabling avoidance behaviors.
Relaxation Training
Practical techniques like breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga to calm anxiety symptoms.
Exposure Practice
Gradual, supportive exposure to feared situations to build confidence and reduce avoidance.
Medication Support
When appropriate, our clinical team can provide evaluation and support for medication needs.
Impact on School and Daily Life
Anxiety can significantly affect school performance. The teen may have difficulty paying attention in class, miss assignments due to procrastination rooted in fear of failure, or skip school days altogether, citing illness when in reality they feel too anxious to attend.
Academic Challenges
- —— Test anxiety affecting performance
- —— Perfectionism leading to procrastination
- —— Difficulty concentrating in class
- —— Avoidance of presentations or group work
How We Help with School Issues
Our program addresses school-related anxiety through specific interventions. We teach time management and study skills to reduce academic overwhelm. Teens practice relaxation techniques specifically for test-taking situations.
We also work with schools (with permission) to support the teen's academic success. Our goal is to help teens succeed academically while managing their anxiety.
Hope for Anxious Teens
With proper treatment, teens with anxiety can absolutely learn to manage their symptoms and lead full, happy lives. At The Redpoint Center, we've seen teens go from being virtually homebound due to anxiety to returning to school full-time, making friends, and pursuing their interests with enthusiasm.
They learn that while they may still feel anxious sometimes (which is normal), it no longer controls them. Our program's ultimate goal is not just to reduce anxiety symptoms, but to help each teen build self-confidence, resilience, and a sense of control over their own story.
Get Help for Teen Anxiety
Longmont
