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)
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