The teen years bring about various challenges for adolescents. As a parent, you may be concerned about your teen’s mental and physical well-being. Mood and hormonal changes can create the perfect storm for depression or anxiety to develop. The following information will teach parents and loved ones how to help a teen with anxiety.
Challenges During the Teen Years
Adolescents go through many developmental changes to prepare them for adulthood. In addition to the hormonal changes during this stage of development, teens have a strong desire for acceptance and approval from others. Stressful events surrounding friendships, work, and school can create issues with anxiety.
How to Help a Teen with Anxiety
As a parent, it’s only natural to try to fix any problems your children face. After all, you want them to have the tools necessary to become successful adults. The following tips can help you provide support for a teen dealing with anxiety.
Keep Communication Flowing Freely
Your teen may feel embarrassed or afraid to talk to you about personal matters. This can become an issue if you appear to get upset about these issues easily. Try to remain calm when discussing personal matters with your teen. Express empathy and understanding for his or her feelings and emotions.
Help Your Teen Face Fears
Avoiding fears doesn’t help a person learn how to deal with them. While anxiety is a part of life for all of us, it shouldn’t interfere with our daily functioning. As much as possible, help your teens recognize and face the things they’re afraid of.
Consider a Professional Counsellor
In some cases, anxiety can become so severe that your teen needs professional help. Professional counsellors have access to many tools and techniques that can help teens come face-to-face with their challenges. In doing so, they can learn to triumph over them.
When to Seek Professional Help
When considering how to help a teen with anxiety, it’s important to recognize when they need professional help. If anxiety interferes with your teen’s life on an ongoing basis, he or she will likely benefit from outside resources. If your child is unable to maintain normal daily functions, it’s time to seek professional intervention.
Choosing a Teen Treatment Center that Aligns with Your Goals
When discussing how to help a teen with anxiety, you’ll also want to be aware of how to choose the right treatment facility. In general, it makes sense to pick a treatment center that has an excellent track record. As a caring parent or family member, it also helps to choose a facility that promotes heavy family involvement.
Venture Academy is a behaviour treatment center with multiple locations throughout Canada. After implementing an in-depth client assessment on each individual, Venture Academy can create a treatment plan that meets everyone’s unique needs.
Don’t let addiction or behavioural issues control your teen’s life. Call Venture Academy today at 866.762.2211 to discover how we can help your family heal through comprehensive troubled teen programs.
