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Research suggests that anxiety is high among teenagers, affecting their mental health and predisposing them to mental health diseases, such as depression and schizophrenia, and personality disorders, as well as poor physical health. Worried teenagers perform worse in school, sports, and social interactions, three major components of daily teenage life and, coincidentally, three of the top things teens worry most about. Here are the best ways to help treat your teen’s anxiety:
One Step at a Time.
Encourage your teen to take small steps toward a goal. If doing well in school is most stressed about, perhaps develop a “game plan” and strategize a new way to tackle homework and studying. With the proper preparation and a confidence boost from better planning, the positive grades will follow.
Encourage Decision-Making.
Take a step back and let your teen make some choices on his own, such as purchasing larger, luxury items versus saving that money for more practical matters like school supplies.
Don’t Overreact.
If your teen is complaining or distressed about an upcoming situation–such as the SATs–tell him/her that you understand how upsetting it is, but you are going to be very proud of him/her for trying.
Save the Praise.
Praise your teens only after they actually take a step toward dealing with their fear, such as standing up to a bully at school or taking more time to study for a tough test.
Grin and Bear It.
Engage your teen in situations that might involve his/her fears, such as doing more practice questions for upcoming tests and quizzes or encouraging them to play on a team sport.
Positive Reinforcement.
Communicate that you are confident your teen can accomplish the goal, such as going out for dinner or making a special dessert. Tell your teen that trying something new or addressing anxiety will get easier every time.
The post A New Approach to Treating Teen Anxiety appeared first on TeenLife.
