What to Know About Youth Anxiety
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in anxiety among children and teenagers. Factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and the pervasive influence of social media have contributed to heightened anxiety levels among the youth in America.
“There was a two-fold increase in the prevalence of clinically significant depression and anxiety among adolescents after the COVID-19 outbreak,” says Angela Wai Mon Chiu, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology in clinical psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Why all the Worry?
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but when it becomes chronic and overwhelming, it can interfere with your child or teenager's daily life and wellbeing. Several factors contributed to the increasing prevalence of anxiety in kids and teens.
- The COVID-19 pandemic: The pandemic disrupted normalcy in unprecedented ways. Lockdowns, school closures and uncertainty about the virus left many children and teenagers feeling anxious and isolated. They had to adapt to remote learning and cope with the fear of themselves and their family members contracting the virus.
- Social media: The omnipresence of social media platforms has opened up new avenues for comparison, bullying, and the constant fear of missing out, known as FOMO. Young people may often feel the pressure to present a curated, idealized version of themselves online, leading to heightened anxiety and self-esteem issues.
- Academic pressure: The academic world has become increasingly competitive, with students facing immense pressure to excel academically. This often leads to worrying, stress and anxiety.
- Peer pressure: Adolescents are especially susceptible to peer pressure. The desire to fit in, be accepted or avoid judgment can lead to anxiety.
- Family dynamics: Family issues, including divorce, substance abuse or chronic illness, can also contribute to a child or teenager's anxiety.
What Are the Common Types of Anxiety Young People Experience?
Young people experience many of the same types of anxiety as adults, but they’re also susceptible to certain types of anxiety that are most prevalent in their specific age groups:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Children with GAD experience excessive and persistent worry about various aspects of their life, such as school performance, health or family issues.
- Separation anxiety disorder: This occurs when a child or teen experiences extreme distress when separated from caregivers or loved ones. It can lead to avoidance of school or other situations that require separation.
- Social anxiety disorder: This condition involves an intense fear of being judged, embarrassed or humiliated in social situations. It often leads to avoidance of social interactions and can interfere with academic and personal development.
- Panic disorder: Adolescents may experience unexpected, intense panic attacks characterized by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating and a sense of impending doom.
- Agoraphobia: This condition can develop as a result of panic disorder. It involves an intense fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, leading to avoidance of places or situations.
- Selective mutism: Children with selective mutism consistently fail to speak in specific social situations, despite being able to speak in other settings.
Although the types of anxiety differ, there are more similarities than differences, even across the age spectrum.
“Children with anxiety just worry excessively, and their worry is just out of proportion to the context,” says Dr. Chiu.
How Parents Can Help
Parents play a crucial role in helping their children navigate anxiety, especially in the wake of COVID-19 and the rise of social media.
“I usually suggest reaching out if you start seeing signs that your child's anxiety is starting to get in the way of your child's daily life,” says Dr. Chiu.
Here are some strategies to consider when helping your child deal with their anxiety:
- Open communication: Create a safe and open space for your child to express their feelings. Encourage them to talk about their fears and worries without judgment.
- Validate their feelings: It's essential to let your child know that it's okay to feel anxious. Validation can help reduce feelings of shame and isolation.
- Set realistic expectations: Encourage your child to strive for their best but remind them that perfection is not the goal. Emphasize effort over outcomes.
- Limit screen time: Monitor your child's use of social media and screen time. Encourage healthy online interactions and help them balance their digital life with physical activity.
- Teach coping skills: Help your child develop healthy coping strategies, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness or physical activities like yoga or sports.
What Are Effective Treatments for Youth Anxiety?
When anxiety becomes overwhelming and interferes with a child's daily functioning, professional intervention may be necessary. Treatment for anxiety may include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a well-established treatment for anxiety. It helps children and teenagers identify and challenge negative thought patterns and irrational beliefs that fuel their anxiety. They learn to replace these thoughts with more rational and positive ones.
- Exposure therapy: This technique involves gradually exposing the child to their feared situations or triggers in a controlled and supportive environment. Over time, repeated exposure helps desensitize the child to their anxieties.
- Medication: In some cases, medication prescribed by a qualified mental health professional may be necessary to manage severe anxiety. Medication is typically considered when other treatments are not effective.
- Managing unhelpful thoughts: In addition to professional therapies, teaching children and teenagers to manage unhelpful thoughts through mindfulness, journaling, and positive affirmations is essential.
Dr. Chiu also recommends a strategy called the three Cs.
“It stands for catch, check and change the thought,” says Dr. Chiu. “The first step is to notice the thought. Then, take a look at it, check it. Are these thoughts helpful or not? If a thought is not helpful, then you move on to the third C: change it. Try to come up with a modification to that thought that is more helpful.”
Concerned that your child is struggling with anxiety? A provider at Weill Cornell Medicine can help. Find a provider today.