Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful events, and can even help us focus and work hard on things like homework or studying for a test. But what happens when your anxiety starts taking control of your life? According to the National Institute of Mental Health 8% of teens ages 13-18 have a diagnosable anxiety disorder. That means that 92% of teenagers experience anxiety, but do not have an anxiety disorder. So what does anxiety look like and how do you know if you might have an anxiety disorder?
Common symptoms of anxiety
- Feeling nervous
- Feeling powerless
- Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
- Having an increased heart rate
- Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Feeling weak or tired
- Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
Know when it’s time to talk to your doctor
- Feelings of anxiety that do not go away and get worse with time
- Symptoms of anxiety that last for at least six months
- Trouble sleeping because of the anxiety
- Not being able to function like you used to because of the anxiety
- You can manage your anxiety, take the next step: 11 Tips To Combat Anxiety.
Tips:
- Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
- Stop drinking caffeine, especially if you are under stress.
- Eat healthy foods and stay away from the sugar “crash” that comes from drinking sugar drinks and eating things like donuts and candy bars.
- Exercise every day.
- Meditate before bed (use a meditation app or search for “mindfulness meditation” videos).
- Write down your fears and worries in a journal or notebook.
- Use the My Coping Skills to keep track of when you feel anxious and see if you can find a pattern.
- Talk to someone you trust about how you feel.
- Meet with your school counselor or your therapist.
- Call Your Life Your Voice and speak with a trained counselor: 1-800-448-3000.
- See your doctor if the anxiety will not go away.
