Standing Up for Teen Anxiety

STANDING UR FOR TEEN ANXIETY Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress for teens or anyone else. Teens must deal with friends, dating, school, competitive sports, family conflicts and other situations to worry about. When these situations get out of hand they can cause an excessive amount of stress so that the individual can't accomplish their goals, an anxiety disorder could be the cause. THE TRUTH ABOUT TEEN ANXIETY 15 MILLION American adults have social anxiety disorder,finding solutions early for your teen will fight this statistic Anxiety disorders are the most common illness in the U.S., affecting over ABOUT 8% OF TEENS 40 MILLION 13-18 have an anxiety disorder adults in the United States (Of which only 18% received mental care) age 18 and older (18% of U.S. population) Teen anxiety disorders can develop from a complex set of risk factors, including: GENETICS HEALTH COMPLICATIONS O PERSONALITY TRAITS DRUGS OR ALCOHOL ABUSE E LIFE EVENTS STRESS BUILDUP Women are Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress that in some cases can be beneficial in certain situations such as: 60% Safeguards us in potentially dangerous situations MORE LIKELY Heightens focus when preparing for a test or job interview than men to experience an anxiety disorder over their lifetime Re-evaluates personal wisdom when making decisions BE PREPARED TO HELP: KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Look for signs and symptoms that could mean someone you know is in trouble and needs your help. Provided below are physical and mental symptoms that can help you and your child be prepared. Physical symptoms of teen anxiety RACING MUSCLE TENSIONS FLEXING MUSCLES HEARTBEAT and RAPID throughout your body BREATHING TREMBLING UNCONTROLLABLE HANDS URGE or TO CRY LEGS Mental Symptoms of teen Anxiety PEOPLE FEELING of and HEIGHTENED DEPRESSION ACTIVITIES they used to enjoy DRASTIC CHANGES UNNATURAL DIFFICULTY in concentrating on DIET OR SLEEP SIMPLE TASKS patterns RECOGNIZING THE VARIETY OF ANXIETY DISORDERS GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD) Excessive and irrational worry and fear OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD) Excessive thoughts or obsessions that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions) POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Extreme distress triggered by a traumatic event TEEN PHOBIA SYMPTOMS Intense fear related to some specific person, thing, or event PANIC DISORDER Recurrent sudden and intense panic attacks caused by intense anxiety SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER Intense fear of social situations or speaking in front of others HELPING TEENS STRUGGLING WITH TEEN ANXIETY: FINDING SOLUTIONS Some things that can help teens treat teen anxiety include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) A type of talk therapy that teaches skills and techniques to help reduce teen anxiety by changing behavior by identifying negative thinking patterns Medication Will not cure anxiety disorders, but it can keep anxiety under control during treatment. Several types of prescription medications can be useful, depending on the kind of anxiety that your teen may have. Untreated anxiety disorders in children can increase the risk for depression, substance abuse, social isolation, and suicide. Contact your child's doctor or therapist is you feel a teen is at risk. SOURCES Liahona ACADEMY http://www.adaa.org/aboutadaa/pressroom/factsstatistics http://www.adaa.org/understandinganxiety/socialanxietydisorder http://teens.webmd.com/anxietyandteens http://www.crchealth.com/troubledteenagers/teenageanxiety/ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/anxiety/basics/riskfactors/con20026282