Dealing with your teen’s anxiety and stress

Don’t let them stress you out!

Mrs. Patricia Stelter

Anxiety and Stress Anxiety: apprehension or excessive fear

about real or imagined circumstancesAnxiety and Stress = Worry

shows in thinking, behavior, or physical reactions

Goal: not to eliminate all anxiety or stress; we need a healthy amount and need to learn how to operate daily with these barriers!

Anxiety Disorders Exist and range from about 2-10% of children;

more common in females than males Most common are:

separation anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobia disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder

Relationship to Other Problems

Depression: Anxiety and depression occur together about 50-60% of the time

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): anxiety may appear similar to ADHD, which may be why some children seem to “not respond” to medicine.

School Performance: forgetfulness, inattentive, and difficulty organizing their work; they may be too much of a perfectionist and not satisfied with their work if it does not meet personal standards

Substance use: abusing drugs or alcohol may show sleep problems, inattention, withdrawal, and reduced school performance

Interventions: What can YOU do for your teen?

Although professional help is best, if the case does not warrant, here’s how to intervene: Be consistent with how you handle problems and administer

discipline Anxiety is not willful but reflects an inability to control it; be

patient and prepared to listen. Overly critical, disparaging, impatient, or cynical reactions will make it WORSE!

Do not communicate that perfection is realistic! Accept mistakes; praise and reinforce effort Teach strategies such as organization, practicing, and

rehearsing/visualizing Listen and talk on a REGULAR basis; do not treat emotions as

unimportant- they may not see important to you, but they are real to your child.

Do not assume that your child is being difficult or that the problem will go away!

Cognitive Behavioral Physical• Concentration difficulties• Overreaction and

catastrophizing relatively minor events

• Memory problems• Worry• Irritability• Perfectionism• Thinking rigidity• Hyper vigilant• Fear of losing control• Fear of failure• Difficulties with problem

solving and academic performance

• Shyness• Withdrawal• Frequently asking

questions• Frequent need for

reassurance• Needs for sameness• Avoidant• Rapid speech• Excessive talking• Restlessness, fidgety• Habit behaviors, such as

hair pulling or twirling• Impulsiveness

• Trembling or shaking • Increased heart rate• Excessive perspiration• Shortness of breath• Dizziness• Chest pain or discomfort• Flushing of the skin• Nausea, vomiting,

diarrhea• Muscle tension• Sleep problems

Types of Anxiety Disorders that Warrant Attention

Types of MotivationWhat can you do to motivate and encourage your child?

1.Simple reminders 2.Belief in their abilities3.Foster their belief in their abilities (Self-

efficacy)4.Goals making, development of self-

efficacy (believing in one’s own abilities), positive mind-set toward learning

Examples of a Motivated Student

1. Manages Time Well (Time- Management)2. Seeks Help3. Task oriented4. Motivated to go to school/classes5. Manages stress and communicated anxieties 6. Uses effective and efficient learning strategies7. Has focus/concentration8. Practices Metacognition (our thinking about and

regulation of our own thinking)