Understanding and Managing Anxiety in Adolescents

 

Anxiety is our mind’s way to respond to any stressful situation. During this period of anxiousness, the person feels uneasiness, worried and inability to relax. It is a kind of feeling of fear of anything that has happened either in past or is going to happen in future. Generally,
it is does not last for longer duration but if this feeling of anxiousness lasts for more than 6 months then this could be diagnosed as anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder could occur to the person due to variety of physiological and psychological reason. Physiological reason could include structural difference in amygdala and prefrontal cortex or disturbance in the levels of serotonin or dopamine. All these physiological factors work in coordination with psychological factors helps to maintain the emotional wellbeing of the individual. Psychological factors such as the experiences through which one person goes through and the kind of personality which one has developed through those experiences, are responsible for development of anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorder does not discriminate on the basis of age. This disorder could develop in any individual regardless of age. But the beginning of anxiousness starts generally from the teenage, when the individual is learning to react in situations and is gaining new experiences each day. These new experiences can become overwhelming to teenagers if not guided how to react in novel situations. Most of the times it is seen that due to lack of communication between adolescents and their care givers, they are not able to learn correct coping mechanisms in stressful situations. Then these kids eventually fall into the trap of anxiety disorder when they do not receive timely guidance.

Following are the symptoms which depict anxiety disorder in adolescents:

• When they feel tensed or extremely restless quite often.
• Being sensitive or extremely self-conscious to criticism.
• Thinking or worrying about future events that are unlikely to occur.
•  Having sudden change in the dietary habits.
• Losing or gaining excessive weight.

For adolescents, at times it becomes difficult to express what they are going through because of the fear of being judged. It eventually becomes tough on the part of parent or care give or teacher to break this negative thought process. At Bright Side of Life, we understand that anxiety, especially in adolescents can be really difficult, because for them it is a new feeling which they haven’t had before. An anxiety in a teenager can be easily resolved if followed below mentioned points:

• Parents and teachers need to validate the feelings of their teenagers. Validation of emotions, help adolescents to accept themselves without thinking that maybe they are the deviant ones.
• Trying to create an optimistic environment. Having an optimistic and encouraging atmosphere, helps the teenager to move out of the bubble of self-doubt.
• Adolescents should try to avoid procrastination as much as possible. This could help in not building up of unnecessary stress on them.
• Try to avoid caffeinated drinks or any kind of substance that could alter the thought process in an unnatural way. This kind of products are of the main factors which are responsible for the development of anxiety disorders.
• Whenever in an anxious situation, try to indulge in activities that help in positive distractions such as doing activities like cooking, painting, conversing with someone etc.
• Whenever in an anxiety provoking situation try to start deep breathing this could help in declutter your mind and think with a fresh perspective.
• Include any kind of physical activities in your daily routine. Exercise or physical activities helps in release of hormones which help to maintain a positive and a happy mindset.
• Consulting with a mental health specialist can help to see other perspective available to you and guide you in a positive direction.

Anxiety is a disorder which can be overcome if the individual is determinant as well as if they have a support environment that continuously encourages them to work hard.