Anxiety is the body’s normal reaction to stress, and it helps teenagers handle overwhelming or tense moments. It is usual for teenagers to experience fear at given moments in their lives. However, sometimes what appears like ordinary teen struggles may indicate an underlying anxiety disorder that needs medical intervention. As such, parents and guardians ought to be aware of the causes of anxiety in teens and how Venture Academy can help.
Common Causes of Anxiety in Teens
Roughly a third of teens and adolescents have or have had an anxiety disorder. The condition often occurs when a teen fails to overcome daily fears and worries. As a loving parent, it is essential to understand the causes of anxiety so that you can seek the right treatment for your teen.
Emotional Changes
An emotional change is among the root causes of anxiety, even in adults. Teenagers are in the stage of life where they are discovering the world around them. They desire to achieve big ideas, and anything that does not happen according to expectations can result in stress.
Such changes leave them feeling edgy, irritable, restless, and unable to concentrate. If they do not get help to understand how to deal with emotional changes, anxiety can be overwhelming.
Peer Pressure
Teens in the modern world of technology are suffering from peer pressure than ever before. While pressure to perform is normal as it pushes them into doing their best, it also negatively increases their stress levels.
For example, teens struggling to outdo each other in fashion or possessing the most expensive gadgets end up stressed. Bullying and other forms of harassment, especially at school, also lead to anxiety-related conditions.
Setting High Expectations
The fast-paced world forces teenagers to set high expectations that they cannot achieve. Every youth desires to excel in studies, join a prestigious university, and pursue a course that promises a prosperous future.
Furthermore, teens participate in a series of activities, such as sports, volunteering in community services, performing home chores, and maintaining social lives. Such actions are among the leading causes of anxiety in teens because of fatigued.
Drug and Substance Abuse
Often, social anxiety is linked to substance abuse. Most teens experiment with drugs and substances, even when they know that their parents disapprove of such actions. The peer pressure and struggle to follow the desire of their parents lead to anxiety, especially after they have abused substances. Fear is also a withdrawal symptom that occurs when a chronic drug user attempts to stop using.
Teenagers who are experiencing anxiety display a wide array of symptoms and the manifestations depend on the severity of the condition. Some of the signs to watch out for include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Spending more time alone
- Excessive and unexplained fatigue
- Chest and muscle aches
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Missing assignments or a drop in grades
- Irritability
Learn More About Anxiety in Teens at Venture Academy
Do you have a teen battling anxiety? Various lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet, can help your loved one overcome the situation. However, it is worth seeking the help of a mental healthcare provider for further tests and guidance. Some helpful rehab treatment programs include:
- Electronic addiction treatment
- Drug and alcohol treatment
- Military schools for troubled teens
- 30 Day assessment and intervention
- Behavioural treatment program
- School programs and education
- Residential treatment program
At the Venture Academy, treatment begins with understanding the causes of anxiety in teens. Our healthcare professionals will conduct relevant tests to determine the root cause of the condition before recommending a program. Contact Venture Academy at 866.762.2211 today to get started on anxiety treatment.