Mrs. Natalie Bell
Anxiety is exhibited in a variety of
ways as the body’s response to stress. People experience anxiety at different
levels, ranging from mild uneasiness, at a level that improves alertness and
performance, to a full-blown panic attack. Transient fears and anxieties are a
typical part of child and adolescent development. In some respects, it would be
unusual to not experience some anxiety, such as, a potentially high-risk
situation, or before an exam.
Anxiety becomes a disorder when it
interferes with day-to-day functioning and reduces a person’s capacity to
engage competently in everyday tasks. In
2022, a survey into the mental health and wellbeing of Australian adolescents
found anxiety disorders to be one of the most prevalent forms of mental health
problems.
We all worry or feel scared at
times, but some teens may worry so much that they avoid participating in
activities, being with others, or going places. Anxiety can take different
forms, and some teens can show symptoms of a number of types of anxiety which
include: social anxiety, generalised anxiety, specific phobia/anxiety, panic
disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Traditionally, it was thought that anxiety was a
condition that adolescents grow out of. Recent research by staff at the Centre
for Emotional Health at Macquarie University suggests the opposite, that emotional disorders early in life
predict a range of mental health problems later on.
How do you
know if a young person has an anxiety disorder?
The easiest way
to tell is through conversation, as some students are open to discussing their
concerns and behaviours. However, this isn’t always the case.
Other tell-tale
signs include:
·
Repetitive,
negative questioning
·
Missing
activities or avoiding tasks
·
Expressions
of panic
·
Restlessness
·
Easily
fatigued
·
Irritable
or agitated
·
Lack
of concentration
·
Undergo
physical changes (such as weight change, shaking, sweating)
·
Respond
emotionally
·
Does
not engage with their teacher/parents/peers
·
Frequent
need for assistance
·
Experiences
stomach aches or headaches
What to can
I do?
Early intervention
is key.
·
Here
are a few ways you can help students who are going through some tough times.
·
Offer
gentle encouragement of approach – avoidance keeps the anxiety front and
centre. Encourage the student to gradually face the situation at hand.
·
Break
it down – break big challenges into small steps, with each small step having
sufficient exposure to ease their fears.
·
Rewards
– rewarding a student who has faced a fear or difficult situation is
encouraged.
·
Provide
warning, where possible, for changes in routine – camps, excursions, sports
events
·
Change
their thinking – you can do this with simple questions that help them to think
of the situation in a different way. Replace worst-case scenarios with
questions like ‘what’s the most likely outcome?’ or ‘What happened last time?’
·
Seek
professional help – if the impact of the student’s anxiety is significant you
may want to help the student or the family find professional help.
Treatment of anxiety
There are
various ways to help improve teenage mental health, from supporting them to
make lifestyle changes to providing counselling. A specialist, usually a
psychologist or psychiatrist, should be involved in treating generalised and
other forms of anxiety.
As
treatment for mild to moderate anxiety, a teenager might:
·
get involved in sports and regular
exercise
·
eat a healthy, well-balanced diet – too
much sugar, a high-fat diet and other poor eating habits can worsen anxiety
·
establish good sleeping patterns
·
reduce time on social media
·
redirect their energy into hobbies and
interests
·
have meditation or mindfulness training
Digital mental health services (programs or apps
delivered online or over the phone) can offer a free or low-cost and easily
accessible option for mental health support, information and treatment.
Online resources:
Headspace
Work and study online support – free for 15-25 year-olds
Talk
to a Counsellor – Beyond Blue 24/7 service
BITE
Back – Black Dog Institute’s self-guided online wellbeing
and resilience program
Urgent
assistance responses
Reference List:
Carter, S. Andersen, C., and Abawi, L-A. (2023). In Sync: Inclusive school communities
supporting students with anxiety. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16447
Doherty, Dee. (2022). Teenage anxiety and learning in school. https://www.essentialresources.com.au/2022/06/teenage-anxiety-and-learning/
Comments
Post a Comment