The teenage years can be tough. They’re mentally expanding through a much more rigorous academic path. They are growing physically. But more importantly, they are developing emotionally.
Some anxiousness is completely normal in navigating all of this. It is when it begins to interfere with day-to-day functioning and healthy interactions that there is cause for concern.
Research shows nearly one in three teens will experience some type of anxiety disorder. Sadly, this percentage is only increasing as the years go by. Recent years have witnessed a dramatic rise in diagnoses and hospitalizations related to anxiety effects.
Without awareness of the causes of teen anxiety, it can be challenging to address. Here are some reasons why they may be experiencing anxiety.
Cram Packed Schedules
Teens don’t have a full understanding and grip on managing their calendars. It can be a lot to juggle between school, homework, sports or academic clubs, jobs, and family time. Also, throw sleeping and eating in the mix. With all of that, there is little time left to play.
Play may sound silly for teenagers, but truth be told, they are still not adults yet. Play is an important occupation for anyone of any age, but especially for people still in their childhood and adolescence.
It teaches social skills and coping mechanisms that are important for managing life's difficulties. It’s also crucial to develop relationships that aren’t guided by an adult.
Social Media
Now more than ever, social media plays a significant role in daily life. Twenty years ago, cell phones weren’t a major issue, and definitely didn’t have social media accessible 24/7. Even ten years ago, socials weren’t as prominent as now.
Today, it is nearly impossible to escape it. Teens are engaging via computers, cell phones, and video games. When they’re bored or stressed, they turn to screen time to avoid addressing feelings more productively.
Technology has shifted the dynamic for forming resiliency and mental toughness differently than previous generations. Teens today don’t have the same learned coping skills to be able to handle modern-day stressors.
Social media has also created this fake reality that is hard to ignore. It is hard to compete with and even harder to achieve. Being unable to keep up with or compare can be anxiety-inducing, especially for teens.
High Expectations
During the teen years, a lot of weight is placed on meeting lofty expectations. If you don’t study hard enough in school, you won’t get good grades. If you don’t get good grades, you won’t get into college. Not knowing what you want to do with your life at an early age can delay your career trajectory. You need to be good at sports to be able to play in high school and get a college scholarship.
Teens often feel stressed about having to meet these expectations to succeed. It’s even worse when they don't achieve the goal fully.
Not meeting these expectations doesn’t constitute failure, but they don’t understand that yet. Sometimes it’s their own personal perfectionist mindset. Sometimes it's parents putting undue pressure on them as well.
Peer Pressure
Teen years can be the height of competition, bullying, experimentation, and boundary-pushing. They want to keep up with their friends and fit in. There is a need to feel validated.
Going too hard in an activity or straying from a path in life they normally take can be a cause of anxiety.
There are a variety of reasons teens feel anxiety and different ways their symptoms present. If your teen struggles with anxiety, there are ways to manage it and carry on a healthy path forward. Contact us today for more information for teen counseling.