What is anxiety in young adults?
Anxiety is a universal human experience, regardless of age or background. Young people can experience a diverse range of excessive anxiety. Distinguishing between everyday worries and chronic anxiety is crucial. Persistent worries that impact a young person’s behaviour, sleep or mood need attention.
Anxiety typically tends to emerge in children and adolescents between ages four and eight. They might be displayed as specific fears like social anxiety, or other noticeable physical and behavioural changes. Recent surveys indicate that there has been a significant increase in adolescent anxiety disorders, affecting at least 1 in 5 teenagers.
Effectively addressing these challenges requires understanding and timely help. Several approaches are available to treating anxiety disorders. The choice of treatment will depend on factors such as age and the underlying cause of the anxiety.
What causes it?
Anxiety comes from a mixture of genetics, environment and individual circumstances. It’s important to understand this so we can provide a compassionate approach towards mental health challenges for young people. Having to navigate new social and academic pressures can make adolescent years particularly challenging.
Teenage anxiety can have all sorts of sources, including stress from specific situations, being haunted by past experiences, or uncertainties about the future. It can also come from school or college pressures, financial instability at home, problems with family or friendships, and relationship issues.
Technology and social media may play a part in contributing to anxiety. Depending on what teenagers are looking at, it can make them worry about how they look or that they are missing out on things. It can also be a source of bullying.
Some young people can be biologically predisposed to greater levels of anxiety, or they may have learned behaviours from family members around them as they have been growing up. Others may have subtle brain chemistry imbalances that increase the likelihood of high anxiety. Girls aged 5-19 show a higher susceptibility to anxiety disorders than boys in the same age group.
Promoting mental health awareness and providing proactive support are essential. These help young adults to build resilience as they start to navigate life’s complexities.
What are the symptoms & effects?
Experiencing too much anxiety isn’t good for any young person’s health and happiness. Teenagers may appear quieter than usual, have trouble sleeping, or worry about going to school or being away from family.
Young people might feel nervous, on edge or overwhelmed. They could start worrying about things that may or may not happen in the future. Anxiety can also affect people physically, making them feel sick, hot or sweaty. In severe cases, it can lead to panic attacks.
Teenagers can act differently too. They might isolate themselves, not wanting to spend time with anyone, and/or avoid social situations. They could become more irritable or angry. They might find reassurance in repetitive behaviours or ‘rituals’.
It’s crucial for adults to recognise these signs so they can provide the right support. Adults need to help young people to strike a balance between feeling safe and not letting anxiety take over. Understanding their mix of feelings, thoughts and actions allows us to be the friendly guides they need to navigate the ups and downs of anxiety.
How can it be managed?
Anxiety is different for each person and can be managed in numerous ways. Effective communication and unwavering support are key in supporting young people. You should remind them that they are not alone. Encourage open conversations, celebrate successes and avoid assumptions about their experiences.
Support on a daily basis
Create a morning routine
Creating a morning routine fosters security. Simple tasks like checking timetables and laying out clothes can help mitigate stress.
Celebrate the small victories
Celebrating small wins, such as waking up and being ready on time, reinforces a positive atmosphere. These little daily things will also support their overall wellbeing.
Ensure they can unwind
It’s important that young people can unwind after a day at school or college. They need to have time to spend with friends or explore hobbies. However, you should acknowledge the ebb and flow of moods, especially on challenging days. Accept that each day won’t be the same.
Support long term
Overcoming fears
When fears play a part in anxiety, it can help to confront specific fears gradually, like planning a phased return to school or exposing them to social situations. You can share relaxation techniques and progress from less challenging to more difficult scenarios. You should provide positive reinforcement and praise for their efforts. Alongside this, encourage them to take part in enjoyable activities, as this will boost confidence.
Practical relaxation strategies
Practical strategies like mindful breathing, physical activity and present-moment awareness empower young people to regain control. You can introduce them to relaxation techniques through apps like Calm, which provides a peaceful refuge. Experimenting with these different tools and techniques can offer teenagers a more personalised approach to navigating their anxiety. It also helps them in learning how to manage their mental health in the long term.Professional support
School and social services
Addressing teenage anxiety can require collaboration between the young person, their parents or guardians, and various professionals. When anxiety is affecting a teenager’s day-to-day life, it’s important for schools to understand what’s going on and how this is impacting their ability to engage at school. They may have an undiagnosed Special Educational Need and you can ask the school for an assessment referral. You can also ask the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator about referrals to other professionals for support, such as an Educational Psychologist.
Therapy
Psychotherapy is beneficial for general anxiety. It uses intensive conversations with skilled professionals. Specialist adolescent psychiatrists or clinical psychologists may also be able to offer support.
How can hypnotherapy help?
Hypnotherapy for teenage anxiety creates a supportive space for your teenager to discuss feelings and fears. It also incorporates relaxation techniques like deep breathing.
Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool for overcoming social anxiety, helping teens to access their subconscious to overcome negative beliefs. It helps them to develop coping strategies, boosting self-esteem and confidence.
Clinical hypnotherapy employs hypnosis to alleviate physical and psychological symptoms, offering relaxation to reduce stress and anxiety.
Sessions typically range from 6 to 8 weekly sessions. These can be adapted based on individual needs.
Our Teenage Anxiety Specialists
Benn Baker-Pollard
Sittingbourne
Carmen Harrington
Market Harborough
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Chris Johannes
Spalding
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone East
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Jill Whitehouse
Newcastle upon Tyne
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Kerry Seymour
Weston-super-Mare
Peter Ely
Islington
Victoria Anderson
Sunderland
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
