They are still young; it is not anxiety, there are just acting out. That’s among the top mistakes that parents make, affecting their teens’ quality of life. Anxiety in teens is prevalent than you might initially anticipate. As a parent, you need to know the telltales and help your teenager cope and thrive in such situations. The good news is that you have lots of resources to use in helping teens with anxiety. You can enlist professional services and create conducive environment, to help your young adults grow. Let’s look at some of the ways you can help teens with anxiety.
Communication
Teens aren’t the best at expressing their feeling. That’s as they fear that you won’t take them seriously. Take the time to listen, acknowledge their feelings, and empathize with them, helping them communicate confidently. Relate to their situation and offer advice, especially sharing your experience. They’ll feel there is nothing to be ashamed of, making it easier to share what’s causing the anxiety. Maintain open communication; they’ll feel comfortable coming to you whenever something happens, helping them get through difficult times.
Don’t give up if they aren’t opening up straight away. Develop coping skills, such as making your home a safe zone, taking walks together, meditation, light exercises, among other engaging activities. You’ll develop a healthier relationship, helping them to feel comfortable and safe around you.
While considering the communication strategy, the key takeaways are;
- Acknowledge
- Encourage
- Guide, such as helping them to set achievable goals and avoid stressful situations
- Be patient
Professional support
Don’t discount the anxiety as it doesn’t seem to be destructive. If it goes unattended, anxiety can build up, causing significant and long-term worries. You might not be able to help the teen, but a professional has the tools for the job. They know how to work around the feelings, helping the teen to express their worries. Self-management strategies, while beneficial, might not be enough. Supplementing it with professional assistance improves productivity.
Following the severity of the teen’s anxiety, you might not be equipped to manage the situation. For instance, you might also be in a tough position, making it harder to focus on them. For example, after losing a loved one, such a traumatic situation affects everyone. As you focus on healing, you can forget them.
The best part is that professional help is now easily accessible. Online and phone sessions are productive. This means that your teen won’t have to go through additional commuting hassles, adapting to the new and perhaps demanding schedule and environment. The sessions will be held from home, a convenience that makes it easier to deal with anxious situations. Other options include a general practitioner. Their input can help you up self-management effort, making it easier to help a teen with anxiety. Psychiatrists, psychologists, school counselors; the professional pool is extensive, facilitating better anxiety management in teens.
Teenage is full of challenges and new experiences. It is normal for anxiety to kick in as it is a reaction to such considerations. While it can go on its own, helping the teen manage the anxiety goes a long way. With the help, they can get through the most challenging and stressful situations, improving their overall well-being.
