When your teenage son or daughter has a sudden change in behavior, it can be hard to know how you should respond. Will it pass? Could it negatively affect your child’s future? What’s the real reason for this new behavior? What kind of support do they need to get through it?

Anxiety in adolescents can look very different from person to person. Fears and worries can manifest in different ways, and teens use a range of different behaviors to cope with their anxiety. As a caregiver, you should know that your child may have trouble talking about their anxiety and they may not even recognize it as a problem. 

In this blog post, we’ll share eight signs and symptoms you may notice in an adolescent or teen with anxiety.

What types of anxiety do adolescents and teens struggle with?

There are some patterns in the subjects of anxiety that are common among adolescents and teens. Social phobias, specific phobias such as blood or heights, and separation anxiety are among the most common anxiety disorders teens and adolescents face, as well as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorders. Adolescents and teens may have more than one type of anxiety disorder or other co-occurring conditions like major depressive disorder (MDD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The development of the brain and body at these critical ages can be important factors. Teens and adolescents may have anxiety about social situations because their brains are more sensitive to social dynamics than they were in childhood. Changing bodies may be a new source of anxiety for adolescents, and the pressure to perform well in school and other activities may lead to test or performance anxiety.

8 signs and symptoms of anxiety in adolescents and teens

It’s common for young people to have exaggerated fears that they eventually grow out of. The difference between passing fears and anxiety disorders is the degree to which they interfere with a teen’s life. Anxiety disorders cause a significant amount of distress, and they can lead to avoidance behaviors that get in the way of life activities and social development. With proper treatment, teens with anxiety disorders can manage their symptoms. 

The following signs and symptoms may indicate your teen is dealing with anxiety:

• Excessive fear or worry — The defining characteristic of anxiety disorders is fear or worry about something that may happen. For your teen, it might be extreme self-consciousness, sensitivity to criticism or a fear of being away from safe connections. These extreme fears can look like high restraint, high emotional reactivity or reassurance-seeking. 
• Tendency for extreme stress — Your teen may start feeling stressed and restless in anticipation of their fears. Heightened stress can cause other symptoms, like irritability and trouble concentrating.
• Social withdrawal or a constant need to be around friends — To deal with their anxiety, your teen may self-isolate or feel a constant need to be with their friends. This usually has to do with avoiding discomfort or seeking approval and security.
• Avoidance and anxious anticipation of triggering situations — Teens with anxiety may avoid difficult or new situations that may be triggering. In extreme cases, your teen may not want to leave the house. 
• Hypervigilance — Certain types of anxiety can cause teens to be constantly on the lookout for danger. Teens on high alert may have a faster heart rate and sensitivity to noise or sudden movements.
• Physical symptoms — The stress and tension that comes with anxiety can cause physical symptoms that have no other explanation. Muscle tension and cramps, stomachaches, headaches, pain in the limbs and back, fatigue, hyperventilation, trembling, and sleep problems can all be signs of anxiety.
• Substance use — Drugs or alcohol can have a numbing effect that makes anxiety easier to deal with. Teens who use substances to manage their anxiety need treatment that addresses the source of their anxiety.
• Reluctance to go to school — Teens with anxiety may experience a lot of discomfort in their school environment. Their grades might drop, or they might refuse to go to school altogether.

It may take some time to uncover what’s really going on with your child. When you talk with them, try to be calm and objective and point out the behaviors or symptoms that raised your concern. Let them know you care about their well-being and you want to provide the support they need to get through this time. 

In the meantime, you can learn about the mental health treatment options available for teens today. Your teen may need outpatient therapy sessions, or they may need to start at a higher level of care. For many teens with anxiety disorders, a combination of medication and therapy can effectively help them manage their symptoms. At Lightfully, we use our Precision Care Model (PCM) to create personalized treatment plans for every teen we serve. 

Do you have questions about seeking treatment for your teen? Feel free to reach out. Our Admissions Concierge Team can help you find the information you need.