Anxiety in Teenagers: 11 Subtle Signs to Watch For

Getting through adolescence is hard. As teenagers take on the important task of self-discovery, they meet challenges that can trigger lots of anxiety. Identifying anxiety in teenagers can be tricky for parents because it often looks different than anxiety in adults. You also can't always rely on your teen because teens often don't know what they're feeling is anxiety. By paying attention to changes in behavior and mood, parents and caregivers can offer support and intervention. Here are ten subtle indicators that may signal anxiety in the teenagers.

Common But Subtle Signs of Anxiety In Teenagers

Irritability or Mood Swings As Anxiety Symptoms in Teenagers

Your once cheerful teenager many now be irritable and moody without an apparent cause. It can be tempting to attribute this to hormones, but we encourage you to consider anxiety. These changes in temperament could be indicative of underlying anxiety, manifesting as frustration and emotional volatility. This is often one of the primary ways that teens, especially boys, show anxiety.

Avoidance of Social Situations As Anxiety Indicator in Teenagers

Is your teen retreating from social events or shying away from friends they once enjoyed? Social anxiety can compel teenagers to avoid interactions with peers, fearing judgment or discomfort. A little social anxiety is normal, but if you see a shift in their social life, consider if it could be anxiety.

Perfectionism As Anxiety Symptom in Teenagers

While striving to do their best work is great, an excessive preoccupation with perfection in school, sports, or hobbies may point to underlying anxiety. It might look like focusing on school to the exclusion of hobbies, practicing excessively, or struggling to start tasks. Procrastination and perfectionism go hand-in-hand. If your teen is avoiding starting projects, gently watch to see if it's anxiety driven. Perfectionism can also manifest as obsession with appearance or curating social media feeds.

Changes in Sleep Patterns As Anxiety Symptom in Teenagers

Have you noticed your teen struggling to fall asleep or waking up often during the night? Anxiety often disrupts sleep patterns, leading to insomnia or restless nights filled with worry and restlessness. Teens need a ton of sleep because their brains and bodies are developing so rapidly.

Physical Anxiety Symptoms In Teenagers

Headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, and unexplained fatigue are the body's response to anxiety. These physical complaints are symptoms of the inner stress experienced by teenagers with anxiety. Symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, or sweating may indicate anxiety. This is especially true when there is no identifiable medical cause. These responses are the body's way of signaling distress and signaling the need for intervention. If your teen has stomachaches or feels dizzy, don't be too quick to dismiss it.

Excessive Worry In Teenagers

Does your teen seem preoccupied with future events, academic performance, or social interactions? Persistent and excessive worry about everyday situations is a common symptom of anxiety in teenagers. Though their concerns may seen small to adults, we encourage you not to make light of them. Feeling alone, dismissed, or misunderstood by the adults in their life will only make their anxiety worse.

Difficulty Concentrating As Anxiety Symptom in Teenagers

If you're really worried about something, it's hard to focus. Anxiety can hijack a teenager's ability to concentrate, making it challenging to focus in school, complete assignments, or engage in tasks requiring attention. This cognitive impairment can further exacerbate feelings of frustration and inadequacy. Shame around suffering academic performance is real.

Withdrawal or Isolation As Anxiety Symptom in Teenagers

If your teen is withdrawing or spending tons of time alone in their room, it may be a coping mechanism to escape the overwhelming stimuli of the outside world. It's definitely okay for teens to decompress after a whole day socializing at school. But prolonged isolation can deepen feelings of loneliness and exacerbate anxiety symptoms.

Social Media Obsession As A Sign of Anxiety In Teenagers

The science is pretty clear that social media isn't great for teen mental health. But it can also be a powerful way for teens to connect with their peers, as well as a place to learn. We're all for striking a healthy balance with social media. Obsession with social media can be a sign of anxiety. Often teens turn to social media to numb uncomfortable feelings. It can also be a self-reinforcing cycle; scrolling at first feels soothing, but over time increases anxiety, leading to more need to scroll.

Changes in Appetite As Anxiety Symptom in Teenagers

Anxiety can affect appetite in teenagers, leading to changes such as overeating or loss of appetite. Some teens may turn to food for comfort, while others may experience a decreased desire to eat due to feelings of nausea or nervousness. These fluctuations in eating habits can serve as additional indicators of underlying anxiety. It can also be self-perpetuating; anxiety zaps appetite, which makes anxiety worse, which zaps appetite.

Nervous Habits or Rituals As Anxiety Symptoms in Teenagers

Nail-biting, hair-twirling, or other repetitive behaviors may serve as coping mechanisms for teenagers seeking to lower stress and anxiety. These nervous habits provide a sense of comfort and control in the face of uncertainty and unpredictability. Sometimes, though, they can become compulsions that are relied on as the only way to reduce anxiety. This can lead to OCD, which is difficult to live with.

Supporting Teenagers with Anxiety

Creating a supportive environment for teenagers struggling with anxiety is crucial. Here are things to keep in mind when supporting an anxious teen.

Start With Gentle Curiosity

Teens are in a critical phase of identity development where they are figuring out who they are. This means they are developing a sense of self that is separate from their family. This can be painful to watch. For parents who used to know every detail of their child's life, it can be heartbreaking or even scary. Be careful not to bring your own fear or anxiety into conversations about anxiety with your teen. Be curious and gentle. Try something like, "Hey, I noticed you're not spending much time with Ali and Harper anymore. Is everything okay?" or, "Is there something that would be easier to eat before school in the morning?"

Remember How Much They Rely On Your Steadiness

Nothing makes a teen more anxious than an anxious or unpredictable parent. Before asking your teen how they're feeling or what's going on with them, get yourself as calm and steady as you can be. Take a moment to connect with all your feelings of love and pride for your child. Let your care and joy in who they are be the energy you bring to them rather than worry. They are much more likely to respond to you if you're kind and warm.

Lead By Example

Encouraging open and honest conversations about feelings and experiences often looks like going first. Sharing something personal but appropriate can help them feel comfortable to share. You might start with a time you experienced anxiety, a time you struggled to fit in, or a story about someone helping you learn to cope. Make sure you pick an example that has a positive ending and shows that feeling better is possible.

Encouraging Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Help teens find coping activities that resonate with them. You know your teen. Explore things like mindfulness, physical activity, or creative expression, to manage anxiety effectively.

Encourage Autonomy

Part of learning how to be a healthy adult is often making mistakes and going through tough things. We can't learn everything from example. Sometimes we have to watch teens go through tough things, knowing there's something that will help, but being met with their stubbornness and lack of experience. That can be frustrating. But teen autonomy is important. They need to be able to make some of their own choice. Of course, when there's a safety concern or they are truly suffering, it's time to step in. But be mindful not to completely take away their control. A lack of control will only increase their anxiety.

Seeking Professional Help for Anxiety In Teens

Consider therapy for teenagers with a qualified teen therapist. Teen therapists can provide tools and strategies to reduce anxiety and build resilience. One of the reasons we're so passionate about therapy for teenagers is because learning effective skills early in life can change their whole future for the better.

Accessing Therapy for Teenagers in California & Florida

In cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, accessing quality mental health care can be challenging. Teletherapy offers a convenient and accessible solution. Teletherapy provides teenagers with the support they need from the comfort of their own homes. No more driving them all over town after school.

If you're in California or Florida and seeking therapy for teenagers, consider teletherapy services. Together, we can help teenagers navigate the complexities of adolescence and feel calmer and more connected.