Have you ever felt really stressed out?
Of course you have...you’re a teenager! You’ve got a lot on your mind: homework, college entrance exams and after-school activities, not to mention relationships with your friends and family.
It’s totally normal to worry about your hectic life, but what do you do when the worries become so overwhelming that it feels like they are taking over? If you spend a lot of time worrying and feeling nervous, or if you consistently have a hard time sleeping at night, it’s possible there’s something more serious going on; you could have an anxiety problem or disorder.
What is anxiety?
The word “anxiety” usually refers to feelings of worry, nervousness and stress. These are very natural feelings that are typically limited to certain situations like tests, getting the lead role in the school play, and events like team tryouts and prom. If you have these feelings from time to time, you don’t need to worry. In fact, anxiety can have a positive effect too, like motivating you to work harder to succeed. But for some people, anxiety can be a constant factor in their lives. Teens that suffer from intense, long-lasting fear or worry need to ask for help.
How do you know if you have a problem?
Again, it’s important to understand that stress and anxiety are normal feelings we all experience. But if you really feel anxious on a consistent basis, take a look at the list below of some of the symptoms of anxiety disorders:
• You worry about school, the future, the health and safety of family members and often think the worst could happen.
• Along with stress, you have physical symptoms like persistent headaches, trouble sleeping, stomachaches and even vomiting.
• You’ve had panic attacks or episodes of intense fear that occur for no apparent reason.
• You are extremely fearful of social situations or feel overly self-conscious.
• You have uncontrollable obsessions or thoughts that occur over and over.
• You are compulsive and do certain behaviors or rituals consistently as a way to control disturbing thoughts.
Getting help
If you feel like you may have a problem, you aren’t alone and it’s nothing to feel embarrassed about. It’s estimated that anxiety disorders affect 13% of the U.S. population and they affect people of all ages, including kids and teens. The good news is that they are often manageable with counseling and/or medication. Talk to a parent, school counselor, or any adult who you feel comfortable talking to. Only a doctor can officially diagnose a condition and he or she is your best resource for helping you feel better.
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