Anxiety is common and especially after we have experienced the changes caused by the pandemic, anxiety has been problematic for many of us.
For some parents it can be hard to know when anxiety needs treatment or whether it's a 'normal part of being a teenager' or young adult.
When should you worry?
If anxiety is stopping you from doing the things that you want to do then you might need some help.
Anxiety screening tool - age 8-18
Maybe anxiety is preventing you from getting to school or college, talking to friends, sleeping properly or impacting your appetite. You should try to ask for some help.
Anxiety can have a number of different causes and it's also treated in different ways. Some common anxieties seen in young people are described below to give you a guide.
Specific Phobias -some times and anxiety can be very specific for example being afraid of spiders or balloons. Tailored talking therapy (CBT) can be very helpful for this sort of difficulty. After an initial assessment you would then see psychology or nursing colleagues to engage in this sort of talking therapy which is usually very effective.
Agoraphobia and social phobia - it might be that the young person experiences high levels of anxiety when they need to leave the house, worrying about seeing their peer group, struggling with busy shopping centres, crowded school corridors or public transport.
And assessment allows for correct therapy to be put in place. In this case it is important to make sure there isn't any underlying issues, for example, autistic spectrum disorder or depression.
Further useful information can be found here Royal College of psychiatrists Anxiety leaflet
Parents and carers leaflet - Anxiety
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