If your child is a teenager, you know that anxiety is a common and unavoidable emotion. The teen years are marked by tremendous growth in their brains and bodies. Coupled with increased family and academic expectations and peer pressure, teenagers often feel like they are being pulled in a million different directions. While many teenagers are able to deal with the pressures of everyday life, there are many others who struggle to cope with their anxiety. In some cases, teen anxiety completely takes over their lives.
This article will define teen anxiety, and you will learn what types of anxiety disorders affect teens. You will also learn more about the types of anxiety disorders and where you can find treatment for your teen. If your son or daughter is struggling with anxiety, Thrive Teen Treatment is here to help. Our evidence-based teen therapy in Los Angeles and experienced staff will give your teen the tools they need to regain their health and happiness. Call us today to learn more about our mental health services for teens in California.
When someone has an anxiety disorder, it goes beyond normal everyday feelings of anxiousness and dread. Simply defined, an anxiety disorder occurs when an individual experiences anxiety that does not dissipate over time. In fact, one’s anxiety worsens over time and significantly affects all aspects of life. People (and especially teens) with an anxiety disorder will avoid situations that worsen their anxiety. This includes family, friends, school, and extracurricular activities.
Not surprisingly, teen anxiety is a common mental health condition in the United States. Data provided by the National Institute of Mental Health shows that 31.9% of teenagers aged 13-18 had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Of those young people, 8.3% were diagnosed as having a severe impairment. This data also shows that teenage females experience anxiety more than teenage males.
How does experiencing an anxiety disorder different from feeling everyday anxiety? First and foremost, standard feelings of anxiety are a normal everyday response to stressful situations. When the source of stress subsides, one’s anxiety will also subside and people return to normal functioning. For those with an anxiety disorder, the source of stress is generally not in their immediate environment. The feelings of unease worsen over time and disrupt a person’s quality of life. Depending on the type of anxiety experienced, people can feel different levels of dread, and the source of their stress can be an object, a past event, or fear of losing contact with a loved one.
Anxiety disorders don’t fall under one umbrella. Instead, there are different types of anxiety disorders that affect teens. The following are the most common types of anxiety disorders that affects teens:
If your teenager is dealing with an anxiety disorder, finding the appropriate help is crucial to their long-term health. You need to find a facility with programs and services specifically designed for the unique needs of teenagers. Programs and services must be evidence-based and offer multiple levels of care tailored to each teen’s specific needs. Thrive Teen Treatment is Southern California’s premier teen anxiety treatment facility.
With decades of collective experience, our treatment team has a proven track record of success helping teens address and manage their mental health issues. Our teen treatment center includes care intended to build on the natural supports, strengths, resiliencies, and perspectives of the individual, focusing on the specific mental health needs and goals of the client.
Call Thrive Teen Treatment toll-free today and help your teen transform into the happy and healthy young person they are meant to be.
