healthykids
These practices can be useful to ev-
eryone. They are cornerstones of good
Youthful
mental health, and experience proves
that teens do better when their parents
Anxieties
provide positive role models.
Act Today
If we think that a teen is troubled by
anxieties, we shouldn’t hesitate to
when teens
seek professional advice. A physician
worry too much
or psychologist can help determine
whether a teen’s worries are typical of
their age or are symptoms of a disorder
that needs treatment. It is worth noting
that anxiety disorders are commonly
E
veryone worries, frets or feels un- may develop elaborate rituals to deal
seen in combination with other prob-
easy much of the time. Worry itself with their irrational ideas.
lems, ranging from depression, eating
is not bad when it serves as nature’s Another diagnosis, Generalized
disorders and attention deficit disorders
way of keeping us safe and sound. Anxiety Disorder (GAD), causes teens
by dr. lawrence shapiro
to drug abuse.
If we’re concerned about our to worry throughout the day and may
The good news is that therapists
weight, for example, we tend to eat a precipitate physical problems like fa-
have made great strides in treating
better diet. If we’re discontented about tigue, headaches and insomnia.
anxiety disorders, usually using a type
money, we work harder or save more.
of psychotherapy called cognitive
If we worry about our kids, we do all of Everyday Aid
behavior modification, combined with
the things needed to keep them healthy Anxiety affects more teens than most
relaxation training. If a teen’s anxiety
and happy. parents realize, because they are adept
problems are affecting her school work
Teens experience their own set of at hiding their problems. But that
or school attendance, then the school
normal worries: getting good grades; doesn’t mean they don’t need help. If
psychologist should also be involved. If
other teens’ opinions of them; the state we suspect that a family teen worries
anxiety problems are affecting a teen’s
of their complexion; and their clothes. too much, here are some simple sug-
social life, then social skills training
We also hope they show concern for gestions to try.
may be advisable.
family rules and responsibilities.
Talk with a loved teen about any
But, worry becomes a problem for • Encourage practice of daily relaxation
suspected problems today. Even though
teens and their parents if young people techniques, like yoga, deep breathing,
he may shrug his shoulders, stare us
stress too often or about things that or just listening to calming music.
down or even slam the door in our
don’t really matter. Psychologists refer
•
face, smart parents understand that
Help them think positively, identify-
to worry and its accompanying physi-
adolescence is a time to step closer to a
ing the positive outcomes of a problem,
cal changes as anxiety, and too much
child, not away from them.
rather than the negatives.
anxiety can take a serious mental and
Although teens may resist our ef-
physical toll on a teen.
• Encourage a healthy lifestyle, includ-
forts and remind us that they are “not
ing good nutrition, daily exercise and a
kids anymore,” our role as a parent
Common Conditions regimen of eight to nine hours of sleep. does not change. Teens continue to
Several types of anxiety disorders may These habits stimulate the brain to pro- need structure and support as much as
affect teenagers. Simple fears—of talking duce stress-fighting chemicals. they do in childhood; when they are
in public or doing poorly on tests—can
• Facilitate connections with others.
worried and anxious, they need it—and
cause distress. When teens harbor lots
Anxiety can lead to social isolation,
us—even more.
of fears, they can become overwhelm-
which worsens the problem.
ing and lead to a panic disorder, making Lawrence Shapiro, Ph.D., is a nationally
them afraid even to leave the house.
• Teach problem-solving skills, such as
recognized parenting expert, author
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
making a list of solutions to a chal-
and editor of the Instant Help series of
(OCD) is a severe problem that affects
lenge, comparing possible outcomes,
workbooks, published by New Harbin-
about 1 in 100 teens. They often hide
and then trying the best one.
ger Publications. The Anxiety Workbook
their worry about things that are incon-
• Encourage discussions about worries; if for Teens, by Lisa Schab, one of the
sequential to others, such as germs on a
not with parents, then with a school coun- most popular, provides a practical, step-
doorknob or cracks in a sidewalk, and
selor, good friend or understanding relative. by-step program for teens.
February 2009 13
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