Supporting Your Teen Through Anxiety:

What Parents Need to Know

You’re concerned about your teenager.

Maybe you notice them struggling to manage their emotions, withdrawing from friends or activities they once enjoyed, or seeming constantly on edge. You want to help, but you’re unsure how to approach their mental health without making things worse.

You may be asking yourself: Are these anxious feelings just a normal part of growing up? Or could my teen be dealing with something more serious? And if so, will their anxiety carry into adulthood?

Research suggests that over 30% of teenagers meet criteria for an anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, or specific phobias. Untreated anxiety can significantly impact your teen’s well-being, relationships, and daily life. Here’s what parents need to know.

Understanding Anxiety in Teens

Symptoms of anxiety often first appear in childhood or adolescence and can become more pronounced during junior high or high school. It’s important to remember: anxiety is not your child’s fault and isn’t simply a matter of willpower or low self-esteem. Anxiety typically arises from a combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.

Common signs of anxiety in teens include:

• Persistent or intense fears throughout the day

• Avoiding new or challenging situations

• Complaints of stomach aches, headaches, or other physical symptoms

• Withdrawal from activities, friends, or hobbies

• Increased irritability or mood swings

• Panic attacks

• Heightened perfectionism in school or extracurriculars

• Hypervigilance about how others perceive them

• Low self-esteem or self-doubt

• Sleep disturbances

• Decline in physical health or co-occurring mood symptoms

Symptoms may ebb and flow as your teen navigates school, social changes, and new responsibilities.

How Parents Can Support Their Teen

While you can’t prevent anxiety entirely, there are meaningful ways to support your teen and help them develop healthy coping strategies.

1. Observe How Your Teen Manages Stress

Every teen responds to stress differently. Some may overthink and avoid tasks, while others throw themselves into activities to distract themselves from anxious feelings. Some may try to hide their anxiety completely.

Take note of your teen’s patterns. How do they react when overwhelmed? Are there other mental health factors affecting their coping?

2. Model Healthy Coping Skills

Even if it doesn’t feel like your teen is listening, they watch your actions more than your words. Demonstrating healthy coping strategies—like mindfulness, problem-solving, or physical activity—teaches them practical ways to manage anxiety.

For example, you might say:

“I’m feeling really stressed right now. A short walk usually helps me reset—want to join me?”

Or:

“My chest feels tight, and I’m starting to panic. I’m going to meditate for a few minutes to calm down.”

Modeling coping gives your teen language for expressing their own feelings and reinforces that anxiety is manageable.

3. Encourage Self-Compassion

Teens often blame themselves for feeling anxious, which can lead to shame. Encourage them to treat themselves kindly and remind them that anxiety does not define their worth.

Support your teen in identifying coping tools, seeking support when needed, and practicing gratitude or self-care even during stressful moments.

4. Teach Them to Challenge Their Anxiety

Cognitive-behavioral strategies can help teens examine the link between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

For example, if your teen is anxious about an exam:

• Encourage them to consider the worst-case scenario and how they might cope

• Help them imagine how they would advise a friend in the same situation

• Explore alternative outcomes, like successfully passing the test

These exercises help teens gradually face their fears and gain confidence in their ability to handle anxiety.

When to Seek Professional Support

Anxiety in teens doesn’t always resolve on its own. Therapy can provide your child with strategies to manage symptoms, identify triggers, and process difficult emotions.

At New Chapter Therapy, I offer compassionate support for teens struggling with anxiety. I help teens:

• Understand and manage anxiety triggers

• Develop healthy coping skills

• Build resilience and confidence

• Improve overall emotional well-being

Anxiety disorders are treatable, and early support can make a lasting difference in your teen’s life. If your teen’s anxiety is affecting their quality of life, don’t wait to seek help.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Contact New Chapter Therapy today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward supporting your teen’s mental health.

What NCT is Posting on Instagram

If your teen seems more anxious lately, you’re not alone, and their behavior might be saying more than their words.
Look for signs like:
💭 Persistent worries or fears
🚫 Avoiding new or stressful situations
😣 Physical complaints like stomach aches or headaches
💔 Withdrawal from friends or activities
🔥 Irritability, mood swings, or panic attacks

My newest blog helps parents understand what anxiety can look like in teens and how to offer the right kind of support.