Anxiety is a normal reaction to a stressful situation. Teens faced with new or unfamiliar situations will often have the sensation of unease and nervousness. It is when anxiety begins to overwhelm a teenager’s life to the point they can not function in their everyday life that steps need to be taken to help the teen cope with the issue. Anxiety in teens treatment in Utah can be achieved at Pathways Real Life Recovery.
Pathways Real Life Recovery in Utah can help teens learn to cope with their anxiety by providing a loving and respectful environment in which the teenager will feel comfortable expressing their concerns and fears. Staff members are available twenty-four hours a day seven days a week by phone. When a patient calls they will never be transferred to an automated system or a voicemail. They will always reach a live person who is willing to listen and ready to help.
Signs of Anxiety Disorder in Teens
Excessive anxiety, fear, nervousness, and or worry can be signs of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety that is ever present and or so intense that it causes preoccupation, feelings of distraction, and tension in teenagers could be cause to seek treatment. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition and can be categorized into different types. In each disorder, the feelings of anxiety occur often and are very strong. The amount of worry is often out of proportion to the situation the teenager is facing. When an anxiety disorder is present it affects a teenager’s daily life and feelings of well-being.
Overview of Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Teens affected by Generalized Anxiety Disorder may worry constantly and feel uneasy or threatened. They may exhibit extremely cautious behavior and suffer from mental exhaustion.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Teens facing Social Anxiety Disorder are exhausted by typical everyday social situations. They may have a heightened awareness to criticism and a fear of rejection in social situations.
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Panic Disorder/ Anxiety Attacks
Panic attacks are usually characterized by rapid heart rate and sweating. Often teenagers who suffer panic attacks will feel like they cannot catch their breath. These symptoms can lead teens to avoid people or situations that trigger the attacks.
Resolving the Problem
Pathways counselors often treat anxiety in teenagers with a customized treatment plan. These plans are tailored to the individual needs of each patient. The goal of treatment is to reduce the symptoms by helping teenagers create strategies to control their anxiety. Treatment is determined by the severity and type of anxiety affecting the individual. Psychological counseling is often the first step in identifying a specific anxiety disorder and ways to help a patient cope. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can also be employed to identify the patient’s goals and then focus on helping the patient achieve those goals. CBT therapists will help teenagers achieve their stated goals by helping them learn how to think differently. They will also listen to the teenager, teach them, and encourage them to express concerns, learn and put therapy strategies into use.
Coping With Anxiety
Teenagers will learn strategies for coping with their anxiety and lessening their symptoms. Some of the techniques include learning to set aside a few minutes every day to reflect and meditate. This allows the teenager to identify and lessen sources of anxiety. Another technique is to limit or eliminate substances that aggravate anxiety including caffeine, drugs, and alcohol. Teens are also encouraged to improve their diet by not skipping meals and eating at regular times. Teenagers also need to get enough rest in order to reduce anxiety. Teens may even be encouraged to get involved in community activities to focus their energy on others instead of their anxiety.
Complications of Untreated Anxiety
Chronic stress can take a toll on the still-developing body of a teen. A teenager experiencing constant anxiety puts their body under stress and can compromise their immune system. They can become more susceptible to infections such as colds, the flu, and other viral and bacterial diseases. Untreated anxiety can also lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, and substance abuse. Teenagers who do not learn to control their anxiety can be at risk for many harmful side effects if they do not confide in a parent, teacher, or other trusted adult. Counselors at Pathways can help teens identify the sources of their anxiety and begin an effective treatment plan to help them cope with stress.
Anxiety Treatment for Teens in Utah at Pathways Real Life Recovery
Anxiety in Teens Treatment in Utah at Pathways Real Life Recovery can identify the specific anxiety disorder a teenager may be experiencing. Once the disorder is identified a counselor can begin a personalized and detailed treatment plan. If left untreated an anxiety disorder can disrupt a teenager’s life and cause other physical and mental issues to emerge. Pathways can provide caring and professional guidance to help a teenager who is suffering from an anxiety disorder begin to take control of the feelings of panic and uneasiness so that they can live a less stressful life. Call us for a free evaluation and possible treatment plans.
