3 Things To Say To Your Teen Struggling With Anxiety

It may seem like adolescence and anxiety are synonymous. It’s true that hormonal changes may make teens more susceptible to stress, but it’s important to pay attention if your child’s emotions are interfering with their life. If they are struggling in school and they’ve become withdrawn, it’s time to consider whether they may be battling clinical anxiety. Other symptoms include irritability, an inability to concentrate, and physical ailments such as headaches or stomach pains. . A successful conversation will prompt your kid to be open and honest with you. You may be wondering whether anxiety medication for teens is an effective solution, and the answer depends on what kind of medicine you select. Learn how you can express your support and productively talk to your child about medication and their anxiety.

Acknowledge the Small Things

Anxiety can make communicating with your kid even more difficult than usual. You might not know what to say or how to start a discussion when your child is struggling. Acknowledging the small things is a good place to start. Rather than lead with the elephant in the room, you can talk about a low-stakes subject — like a movie they’ve recently seen or an event they’re looking forward to. Little life details can get overlooked when you’re helping your teen deal with their anxiety, but it’s important to show your kid that you’re paying attention to everything — not just their struggles.

A casual discussion can then lead to a more serious talk about anxiety. Try asking them a simple, open-ended question — “how are you feeling?” This can initiate an honest conversation about mental health and possible options that could help. After that, you may consider incorporating anxiety worksheets that they can work on to identify triggers and manage them whenever they occur. If your teen is open to seeking out solutions, you can discuss natural anxiety medication for teenager. Even if you don’t decide on a treatment immediately, it’s helpful to start exploring your options. It also shows your child that you care about their wellbeing and you’re willing to invest in a solution.

Listen Without Judgment

If you want to help your teen overcome anxiety, another important rule is providing judgment-free listening privileges. A successful conversation will prompt your kid to be open and honest with you — and for a parent, this can be scary. Your teen may tell you that they sometimes feel impulsive, for example, and you may wonder — what is impulsivity? It’s vital, though, that you reserve these reactions and instead allow them to tell you how they feel — without fear of an adverse reaction. To demonstrate this, you can simply tell your child two words — “I’m listening.”

The third and final phrase you should have ready is simple, and it’s one that you should repeat often. Be sure to remind your child that “I love you.” It’s not uncommon for anxiety to inspire insecurity about loved ones’ feelings. Teens might fear that they’re a burden because of their struggles. You can put this idea to rest by providing them with the support they need. With your love and support — and the appropriate treatment option — your teen will be able to overcome their symptoms of anxiety.