Anxiety in teens doesn’t always show up as “worry.” Sometimes it looks like irritation. Sometimes it looks like avoidance. Sometimes it looks like your child saying “I’m fine” while everything feels like it’s quietly falling apart.
The good news? Anxiety is treatable, and teens can absolutely learn the skills to manage it.
Common Signs of Anxiety in Teens
Many teens don’t have the words to explain what they’re feeling—so anxiety shows up through behavior and physical symptoms like:
- Constant overthinking or “worst case scenario” thinking
- Frequent stomach aches or headaches
- Trouble sleeping or racing thoughts at night
- Avoiding school, friends, or activities
- Panic symptoms (tight chest, shortness of breath, dizziness)
- Perfectionism, fear of making mistakes
- Irritability or emotional shutdown
Common Triggers of Teen Anxiety
Teen anxiety often grows from a combination of pressure + sensitivity + life events. Triggers may include:
- Academic stress and fear of failure
- Social pressure or bullying
- Family conflict or major changes
- Trauma, grief, or loss
- Social media comparison and constant “performance”
- Biological factors (genetics and temperament)
How Therapy Helps Teens With Anxiety
Therapy helps teens build practical, repeatable tools—not just talk about feelings. Support may focus on:
- Identifying anxious thoughts and patterns
- Learning grounding techniques for panic and overwhelm
- Improving emotional regulation and confidence
- Strengthening communication skills
- Building healthier routines for sleep and stress
- Developing coping strategies for school and social pressure
When to Seek Help
If anxiety is interfering with school, relationships, daily functioning, or sleep, it’s time to bring in support. The earlier anxiety is addressed, the easier it is to reduce long-term impacts.