Occasional anxiety is perfectly normal for

most teens. During adolescence, students

face a bevy of new experiences that can

cause stress, such as public speaking and

standardized testing. However, some teens

have a harder time coping with anxiety

than others. If your child is often

overwhelmed by stress, withdrawn from

classmates, or struggling academically, he

or she may suffer from an anxiety

disorder. If left untreated, strong feelings

of uncertainty and apprehension can grow

over time and become a crippling

distraction to daily life.

Anxiety disorders are often diagnosed when a patient

experiences severe reactions to everyday situations,

exhibiting symptoms such as:

• Excessive worrying: This occurs when your

child seems preoccupied with insignificant

situations, or events they cannot control.

• Trouble functioning socially: Many teenagers

experience occasional social anxiety, but

consider it a warning sign if your child

suddenly withdraws from longtime friends or

avoids peer functions.

• Ever-present anxiety: It’s normal for teens to

feel worried about important presentations or

final exams. However, if feelings of dread

continue for extended periods of time, there

may be cause for concern.

Anxiety disorders can create a chain

reaction between the brain and body,

resulting in physical disturbances like

elevated heart rate or nausea. If your

child suffers from any of the ailments

below, it could be due to stress:

• Sleep problems

• Chronic indigestion

• Panic attacks

• Compulsive behaviors or rituals

Students who suffer from anxiety

often struggle academically.

Emotional disturbances may result in:

• Lack of motivation to do well

on tests and exams

• Skipping classes

• Loss of interest in

extracurricular or peer

activities

If your child is struggling academically, enrollment at a

therapeutic school can give him or her the confidence

they need to succeed. Accredited therapeutic schools are

usually private and small in size, to encourage students

to learn at their own pace. Though these institutions

provide traditional academics, there is a heightened

focus on emotional growth as well.

Rather than send their teens to clinical facilities that lack

regimented coursework and basic extracurricular

activities, many parents are now embracing therapeutic

schools to help their children succeed both academically

and socially.

A reputable therapeutic school should offer:

• Coursework structured by a team of

psychologists or mental health

professionals

• Individual or group counseling,

designed to meet a variety of needs

• College and career assistance

• A variety of extracurricular activities

• Family counseling to foster positive

changes at home

Therapeutic schools work with

physicians to offer a combination of

treatment methods for teens with

anxiety disorders. One popular

approach is Cognitive Behavioral

Therapy, a form of mental health

counseling. While undergoing this

treatment, students talk with a therapist

to locate negative reactions or

thoughts. This process is designed to

help teens respond to new challenges

in a positive way, in order to manage

stress effectively.

Exposure Therapy is

another common

technique for treating

anxiety disorders. This

system identifies

situations that cause

anxiety, then tasks the

patient with facing those

fears head-on. The

process starts slowly,

with exposure

increasing over time.

When treating anxiety, therapy is often used in conjunction with prescription

medications. Your family doctor may prescribe one or more of the compounds below:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

• Tricyclic antidepressants

• Benzodiazepines

Sage Day is a network of therapeutic institutions located in northern New Jersey.

We provide an alternative learning environment for students in grades 4 through 12

who struggle with low academic performance due to anxiety or depression. Sage

Day uses a gentle approach to academics, while meeting the rigorous accreditation

standards of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions

on Elementary and Secondary Schools.

For more information, visit www.sageday.com or call 877-887-8817.