When your teenager seems to be overly anxious

While we all feel anxious from time to time, teens whose anxiety interfere with daily activities, like going to school or doing homework, should see a healthcare professional for evaluation. — TNS

Dear Mayo Clinic: My 15-year-old daughter has always been anxious, but her anxiety seems to be worsening by the day. She is worried about everything from Covid-19 – even though she is vaccinated – to getting accepted into a good college. There are days when she doesn’t want to get out of bed and go to school. Other days, she voices worry about performing well during her soccer (football) game and refuses to go to practice. I’m wondering about my next steps. Should she see a therapist?

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time; it’s a normal part of life.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic has certainly amplified fear and uncertainty for many people.

Although everyone experiences fear and anxiousness from time to time, when excessive and persistent worry begins to regularly disrupt a person’s daily activities, that could be a sign of an anxiety disorder.

I recommend that you make an appointment for your daughter to see her healthcare provider.

A visit with a family physician or paediatrician is often a good place to start for an initial evaluation, and to receive guidance and identify resources that can help a teen manage an anxiety disorder.

People who have an anxiety disorder may have feelings of nervousness, worry, fear or panic that are difficult to control, out of proportion to actual danger, and last a long time.

They may avoid certain places, people or situations in an attempt to prevent those feelings.

In teens, an anxiety disorder may interfere with their ability to go to school or do homework.

It can make it hard for them to maintain friendships and participate in extracurricular activities.

Teen anxiety may lead to problems with family relationships too.

When anxiety limits a teen’s activities, or if excessive worry, fear or anxiousness persists for several months, it’s time to seek professional guidance.

Your daughter’s healthcare provider can assess her situation to get a better idea of whether she may have an anxiety disorder.

He or she can also perform an evaluation to see if there may be an underlying medical cause of your daughter’s anxiety.

Certain medications and some medical conditions can trigger anxiety.

If that’s the case, changing the medication or treating the underlying condition could relieve the anxiety.

If your daughter’s healthcare provider suspects an anxiety disorder, he or she can help you find a mental health professional who specialises in treating children and teens.

Treatment for anxiety in teens typically begins with exposure therapy.

Exposure therapy is different than counselling.

It’s a form of therapy that involves gradually encountering the circumstances that trigger anxiety, so the teen can build confidence in handling those situations and their anxious feelings.

This approach also includes teaching parents how to provide useful support to a child in managing anxiety.

Exposure therapy typically consists of about 10 weekly sessions.

In some cases, medication to help control anxiety may also be recommended in addition to exposure therapy.

When exposure therapy is not available, it is possible for anti-anxiety medication to be used as a first step in treatment.

But a teen should always be evaluated and diagnosed before starting to take medication for anxiety, and a healthcare provider must monitor the use of such medication regularly.

It can be challenging to know when to seek help for your child.

But know that effective treatment is available for anxiety and it can often be successfully control- led. – Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service