5 Ways Anxiety Affects Teens and How to Ease the Burden

Anxiety is a pervasive problem among teens that is often misunderstood or overlooked. While some anxiety is normal in adolescence, chronic anxiety can be debilitating. It is essential for parents, educators, and mental health professionals to understand how anxiety affects teens. Here are five common ways anxiety affects teens and what can be done to help them manage it.

1. Academic pressure and performance anxiety

School is a major source of anxiety for teens. The pressure to excel academically can be overwhelming, especially with exams, homework, and college admissions looming. Anxious teens may worry excessively about grades, fear failure, or dread being called on in class. This can lead to procrastination, perfectionism, or avoidance, increasing stress.

For example, Selena, a 16-year-old high school student, feels sick before intense exams. Her stomach knots and she can’t sleep. Despite her best efforts, her mind goes blank during the exam and she performs poorly, which only increases her anxiety.

What you can do: As I discovered while researching my book The Toolkit for Teen Anxiety, Depression, and AngerIt is essential to encourage teens to focus on effort rather than perfection. Help them develop good study habits and time management skills. Encourage a balanced lifestyle that includes relaxation and hobbies to alleviate academic pressure. Open conversations about learning from mistakes can also help reduce performance anxiety.

2. Social anxiety and fear of rejection

Social interactions can be a major source of anxiety for adolescents. Fear of being judged, rejected, or embarrassed can cause intense discomfort and lead to avoidance of social situations. This anxiety may manifest as excessive embarrassment, fear of public speaking, or withdrawal from group activities.

Javon, a 14-year-old boy, dreads school events where he has to interact with his peers. He is constantly afraid of saying something wrong or being made fun of, so he avoids social gatherings and withdraws from activities he once enjoyed.

What you can do: Build social confidence by gradually exposing yourself to social situations in a supportive environment. Encourage participation in low-pressure activities, such as clubs or group projects. Teach relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness, to help manage social anxiety. Remind teens that everyone experiences awkward moments that don’t define their worth.

3. Body image and self-esteem issues

Teens often struggle with body image issues due to significant physical and emotional changes. The pressure to conform to society’s beauty standards can lead to severe anxiety about appearance, weight, and self-esteem. Comparisons on social media can make this anxiety worse.

Eva, a 15-year-old girl, becomes obsessed with her appearance after being teased about her weight. She keeps telling her sister, “If I could have a thigh gap like yours, everyone would think I’m sexy.” She begins skipping meals and staring at herself in the mirror, convinced she doesn’t measure up. Her anxiety about body image begins to dominate her thoughts and hurt her self-esteem.

What you can do: Encourage positive body image by focusing on strengths and what their body can do rather than how they look. Limit exposure to harmful social media and promote body-positive messages. Discuss unrealistic portrayals of beauty in the media and emphasize self-compassion to help develop a healthier self-image.

4. Fear of the future and life transitions

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is uncertain, and many teens are anxious about their future. Concerns about career choices, financial independence, and adult responsibilities can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of paralysis and indecision.

Tom, a 17-year-old student, feels stuck when it comes to choosing a major. He fears making the wrong choice and ruining his life. This fear causes him to postpone applications and avoid discussions about the future, which increases his anxiety.

What you can do: Help teens overcome their fears by breaking down planning for their future into manageable steps. Encourage them to explore and reassure them that they can change their path. Provide a supportive environment where they can discuss their fears and aspirations without judgment, which takes some of the pressure off.

5. Parental expectations and family dynamics

Parental expectations can contribute significantly to teen anxiety. Pressure to excel academically, conform to behaviors, or follow in family footsteps can create a heavy burden. Family dynamics, such as conflict or poor communication, can compound this anxiety, leaving teens feeling unsupported or misunderstood.

At 16, Mia feels pressured by her parents to pursue a career in nursing, even though she is passionate about photography. Her fear of disappointing them leads her to hide her true interests, which breeds resentment and anxiety.

What you can do: Open, nonjudgmental communication is key to alleviating anxiety about parental expectations. Encourage teens to express their feelings and interests and be receptive to their aspirations, even if they differ from yours. Emphasize unconditional love and support, no matter what their choices are, helping them balance their goals with family expectations.

Conclusion

Teen anxiety is a complex issue that requires understanding and support. By recognizing how anxiety manifests itself and taking proactive steps, parents, educators, and mental health professionals can help teens navigate this challenging time with greater confidence and resilience. Creating an environment where teens feel heard and supported is essential to helping them manage anxiety in healthy ways.