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Adolescent Anxiety Treatment

Anxiety is a common mental disorder that affects both mature adults and adolescents. Treating adolescents requires the consent of a responsible adult. Recognizing the symptoms and developing a network of support for an adolescent with an anxiety disorder is the first step a parent or caretaker can take.

  1. Know Your Limits

    • As caretaker for an adolescent with anxiety, you may assume that their symptoms are indicative of your own. There is some evidence that mental health disorders are genetic but not enough for a blanket assumption that because you have anxiety your child will also. The anxiety of a parent does not replicate itself in an adolescent. It should never happen that your child take medications that are prescribed for your anxiety. An adolescent needs to be treated separately by a specialist in adolescent mental health. If you have never had any issues with anxiety but your adolescent is exhibiting symptoms of highly charged outbursts of anger, frustration, and emotional sadness; do not assume you have the authority to negotiate the behavior. Instead make contacts through the school, your doctor, your child's doctor and local youth groups to address this behavior. Many adolescents respond to feedback from other adolescents. Give the opportunity to socialize with other adolescents, which will provide appropriate information about how to process emotion.

    Finding Treatment

    • Often there are limited options for adolescents seeking treatment for anxiety without a mandate from the criminal justice system. The most successful treatments for anxiety involve the person choosing and having a voice about any medications prescribed. The best solution is to consistently give the choice to the youth of how they wish to participate in their own recovery from this disease.

      Anxiety can be addressed by therapies that process emotional trauma and social anxiety. Art therapists, massage therapists and support groups help both adults and adolescents bring the subconscious negative influences of anxiety into their present awareness so then the emotional charge can be released.

    Be Proactive

    • Not everyone or everything is the same from day to day. If you cannot find a therapist in your area or are unhappy with the services provided, try to find something that you can do. Journaling, hiking, making music and talking to someone will bring you some relief, if not take your mind off the obsessive thoughts that compromise your ability to function. Doing the work alone can be a struggle but is also a bigger reward when you can take full credit for any good feelings as they emerge.

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