How does anxiety differ from an anxiety disorder?
It can be challenging for a parent(guardian) dealing with an anxious adolescent to determine whether or not it is just them having stress and anxiousness as teens or whether there is actually an underlying anxiety issue at hand. In my practice, I am frequently asked which is which by parents and guardians.
Parents(guardians) often have difficulty keeping up with their teens constantly changing behaviour, rollercoaster rides, emotional upheavals, and craziness. Some parents (guardians) look at these behaviours and either remember how they were and just turn a blind eye or others will hover over every word and action from their teen, ready to pounce. As parents(guardians), how can you really tell if their behaviours are just typical teenage behaviour or if there is something more serious at play?
First, it is important to understand how a typical teen sees life through their own lens and the struggles they face growing up in today's society before we add any underlying mental health conditions.
Between the ages of 12-18, a typical teen will struggle with the following:
Physical appearance
Academic pressures
Lack of autonomy in decision making (since their frontal cortex lacks the ability to reason at this developmental stage)
Identity and self-definition
Not being taken seriously by a parent(guardian) in their pleas for help
Society pressures (on and offline)
Staying on top of trends
Wanting independence but not achieving it from parents (guardians)
Struggling to set boundaries
Peer pressure
Dealing with toxic friendships
Experimenting with substance use and sex for the first time
Keeping up with parental(guardians)expectations
It is my hope that after sharing this list with you, you will see the need to provide your teen with the support, understanding, and life skills they need to work through this period in their lives. Teens may be able to find their way through this phase with little to no effort on their part, while others may struggle and fail but with your patience and acceptance, they are ultimately successful.
Let's add to this list a teen who struggles with other areas of their lives (anxiety, OCD, depression, addiction, learning disability, physical health, etc). Their daily management level only escalates, leading to behavioural issues, isolation, aggression, and sadness.
As parents, it helps to be able to distinguish when teen stress is a stage for them and when it has become a deeper issue.
Teenagers who exhibit teen frustrations occasionally but are able to manage them without affecting their daily lives are simply going through a typical phase of development. With the support and assistance of their parents (guardians), the majority of teens are able to find their way through and come out the other side either through learning from their mistakes or retaking the challenge. It may take a few attempts for teens to grasp the bigger picture but they do come around so don’t give up. Teens may find that their anxiety and stress are heightened during an exam, presentation, lack of peer acceptance, being cut from a team, or losing a boyfriend/girlfriend, but they eventually return to their center without experiencing long-term crashes. Teenagers don't suffer from an anxiety disorder in this case; rather, it's a case of a teen experiencing anxiousness for a short period of time, recognizing it as an unsettling time in their lives, and overcoming it fairly quickly. We all know anxiety can be a good thing since it guides us to know when we need to be alert or vigilant. When I work with teens, it is common for them to claim they have anxiety disorders when what they are actually feeling is anxiousness. In most cases, when I ask if they have a clinical diagnosis, they reply "no, but social media says I do." There is a difference.
When does anxiousness become too much and begin to negatively affect our teens, resulting in anxiety disorder?
In general, a diagnosis of anxiety disorder is characterized by any form of fear, anxiety, or worry that takes over one's life for a long period of time and dramatically interferes with daily living. An anxiety disorder may take on different forms. Among the more common ones in teens are generalized anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Teenagers are particularly adept at hiding their thoughts and feelings, especially with parents, so anxiety in teens is often missed. These are some behaviours that might be associated with an anxiety disorder.
Recurring fears/worries that are directly affecting their daily routine
Irritability
Trouble concentrating
Withdrawal from social activities
Chronic complaints about stomachaches or headaches
Sleep problems
Avoidance of new situations
Drop-in grades/ school avoidance
Jitteriness, struggling to breathe, sweaty palms, shakes
In the absence of intervention, the problem could worsen and it will be more difficult for them to restore a sense of calm and inner peace. In the case that your teen has been exhibiting any of these symptoms for at least 6 weeks, I recommend consulting with a family physician. If they find no physical signs of illness, they may recommend a visit with a psychologist or psychiatrist. A possible assessment will be considered and additional support will be given to you and your teen.
If you would like more information and additional support about this topic, please e-mail support@healthyroutes.ca and I will be happy to assist you.
“The way you see things changes when you shift your perspective."
-Jen LeClair Avery
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