Warning Signs your Teen is Suffering from Anxiety
As I mentioned in my previous post, my son is currently in rehab for substance abuse. One of the things he’s mentioned over and over is a constant feeling of anxiety. I do not suffer from anxiety, therefore I am having trouble understand how he is feeling or what he is going through. So, I decided to do some research on anxiety, especially as it relates to teens and young adults. I thought I’d share my finding with you in this post and the next couple of posts.
What Anxiety Is
The first thing I needed to know was exactly what anxiety is…what it feels like. A basic definition is: a feeling of hopelessness, an overwhelming feeling of dissatisfaction and restlessness, where nothing ever seems to go right.
The next thing I want to know is why my son is feeling like this. Obviously I have to get those answers from him and hopefully he will find some things out in rehab.
As the mom of a child suffering from anxiety, I wish I would have known what signs to look for when he was growing up. It never even crossed my mind that he was suffering with this “disorder” which is probably a major reason he turned to drugs and alcohol. So, I’m going to share the warning signs with you, so hopefully you’ll be able to recognize, before it’s too late, if your child or teen is suffering from anxiety.
The Warning Signs of Severe Teen Anxiety
- Anger
- Depression
- A drop in grades
- Fatigue
- Substance abuse
- Extreme mood swings
- Changes in sleep habits
- Changes in eating habits
- Changes in hygiene habits to the extreme
- Compulsive or Obsessive Behavior
What you can do to help your teen who is suffering from anxiety
Obviously if you see any of the above warning signs in your teen’s behavior, start talking to them. Often they won’t open up to you, but you need to intervene as soon as possible. Start by letting your teen know you’re there for them, to give them the support they need to help them deal with and overcome their anxiety. This may mean therapy, medication or even hospitalization if the anxiety is extreme. More and more doctors are prescribing anxiety meds to teens, however, if it’s at all possible, it’s best to try to overcome anxiety without the use of medication. If you read my previous post, my son began abusing the anxiety meds he was prescribed.
If you have a teen and suspect he or she is suffering from anxiety, please don’t ignore the signs and get help immediately before it turns into something worse, like addiction or other behavioral issues.
Here’s a great resource for parents to help you with communicating and relating to your teen: Honest Parenting. (Click on the link which will open a new window or tab)
December 19th, 2009 at 13:33
My teen daughter has severe depression with anxiety. So many times, the substance abuse is either an attempt to self-medicate or merely a symptom of the anxiety. Self destructive behavior, such as substance abuse, will go hand in hand with the mental illness. Unfortunately, as parents, we often only see the symptom and don’t realize there is an underlying reason. I’m so glad your son got help and the real problem is coming to light.
December 22nd, 2009 at 04:40
Thanks Lydia. I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter’s struggle. I pray she gets the help she needs too. Keep us posted.
January 1st, 2010 at 20:53
Hello My Name Is Danielle i am 12 BUT 13 in march 2010
Its Horrible I hate going to school i told my dad i would rather die than go to school it was that bad !!!!!!!!!!! This school term has bein horrible !!!!!! I Am in year 8 !!!!!! before i broke up for xmas , i was comming home from school at 12:30 . Its Horrible !! it feels wierd when my friends knock for me i want to but somthing is stopping me I began to think about school !! My dad has bein looking into homeschooling but he dusnt no wether or not it is right but the question i wanted to ask you is .
I Have anxiety
IS IT RIGHT FOR ME TO GET HOMESCHOOLED ?
Please Get back to me by sending a message to my inbox
Danielle_hyland_97@live.co.uk
Thank You
January 1st, 2010 at 20:59
Hi Danni -
My heart goes out to you. I would honestly ask your father if he can take you to see your Dr. and have the Dr. do a full examination of you to see if he/she can get to the root of your anxiety. As I know you are aware of, anxiety can come out in many forms and it is really important to get a hold on it as soon as possible.
I can’t say if homeschooling is the route you should go as that is a decision that is up to your father but I really do suggest seeing your doctor and being very honest about how you are feeling.
Be sure to come back here and let us know how you are doing ok? also GOOD for you on reaching out to us here for some assistance. so many teens (or pre-teens) keep their feelings bottled up and never let anyone in. So, congratulations to you Danni!
HUGS!!
Aurelia
January 1st, 2010 at 21:26
Hi Danni,
I was going to say the same thing Aurelia already said
so, here are my hugs to you…and please do keep us posted on your progress and decisions.
xoxo
Mary
Mary Lutz´s last blog ..Time Saving Tip: How to Get Ready in Half Hour
January 2nd, 2010 at 19:10
Hello again
. My dad is trying his best to get me homeschooled but we dont no who to call first the School or the LEA ( Learning education authorites ) < think it stands for that 
.
I Have Been to the doctors they put me on tablets to carm me down. They didnt work we have tried everything but nothing is working . I have had meetings with the school they dont no what it is
Please get back to me as soon as you can
Thanks for the support
xoxo
Danni
January 8th, 2010 at 05:01
[...] signs to watch for in your teen are listed in my previous post. If you see any of these signs, it’s important to take action immediately. The sooner your teen [...]
February 22nd, 2010 at 22:37
This begins to touch on how sever anxiety can be, thanks for the info!
February 26th, 2010 at 15:00
Thanks for the great info!