ANXIETY
Stress is a very normal emotion, but when stress does not go away or gets worse over time, it can be considered a medical disorder. Anxiety is a common mental health disorder in teenagers characterized by feelings of worry, fear, and nervousness. Anxiety leads to levels of overthinking that can result in panic attacks, obsessive thoughts, or other extreme levels of stress. There are multiple forms of anxiety, but they all can be managed.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE ANXIETY?
Some of the symptoms of include:
- Excessive worrying
- Fear
- Insomnia
- Nausea, stomach aches or headaches, or excessive worrying about your health
- High heart rate
- Difficulty focusing or thinking clearly
- Procrastination
HOW CAN I COPE WITH MY ANXIETY?
Coping mechanisms are different for everyone; you might need to try some to see which help and which don’t. Here are some coping mechanisms that might help you manage your anxiety:
- Focused, deep breathing: 4-7-8 technique
- Aromatherapy, such as candles or essential oils
- Journaling
- Using planner/calendar
- Practice yoga, meditate, or any other relaxing activity
WHERE CAN I GET HELP?
Many of the same counseling services for depression also help teens with anxiety.
- Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text CONNECT to 741741 for support.
- Alaska Careline – 1-877-266-4357 – hotline staffed 24 hours a day
- Alaska Behavioral Health – a resource for counseling that takes all insurances (907) 561-0954
- See other resources on our main teen page
WANT TO TRY AN APP?
Check out Calm for sleep, meditation, and breathing exercises:
