Your teen has been more irritable than usual. They are sensitive to criticism and seem to take everything on a personal level. You find yourself wondering if this is normal teenage moodiness or something more.
Your teen might be dealing with anxiety. We all know what anxiety is, even if we can’t quite define it. It is that feeling of being on edge like everything is about to fall apart. It can also show up as constant worrying and thinking about the future. If you are wondering if your teen might be dealing with anxiety, read on!
Three Signs Your Teen May Be Dealing With Anxiety
There are many signs and symptoms of anxiety you might see in your teen. These range from mild to severe and may be subtle and barely noticeable to anyone else. Here are three common signs of anxiety in teens.
Irritability
Has your teen been snapping back with anger more than they often do? They might be dealing with irritability. All teens can be irritable. But, there are times when it becomes more than is to be expected. They might be snapping at the littlest bit of feedback or redirection. Or, they find themselves being uncontrollably irritated with mundane everyday things.
Extreme self-consciousness or sensitivity to criticism
All teens deal with self-consciousness to some degree or another. But, it can sometimes become so severe that they avoid social situations or find excuses to isolate themselves. In these cases, this is a problem. Sensitivity to criticism may look different for each individual. But it tends to show up in defensiveness and sullenness after criticism.
Avoidance of difficult or new situations
Difficult or new situations are not always easy for people to conquer. But, when you are dealing with anxiety, new situations are overwhelming, and anything that could be difficult? Hard stop. If you notice your teen is avoiding situations they would usually be excited about, that can be a sign of anxiety. If so, it might be time to look into DBT therapy for anxiety.
What is DBT Therapy for Teens with Anxiety?
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) focuses on mindfulness and redirecting thoughts. DBT therapy is all about being in the moment and managing the feelings as they come. DBT was first used with clients with a borderline personality disorder. But, it has now proven effective for many other issues, including anxiety.
Tips for Coping With Anxiety From DBT Therapist
There are many tools used during DBT therapy. These are three of my favorite techniques for managing anxiety.
Mindfulness
It’s such a buzzword right now, but mindfulness makes a big difference! Mindfulness is all about being in the moment and not focusing on the past or the future. We tend to think towards the future or dwell in the past instead of being in the present moment. Mindfulness uses a variety of techniques to bring us back to the present moment. This helps with anxiety in that it focuses us on where we are instead of on future possibilities.
Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation is a fancy way of saying you learn how to manage your emotions better. Again, there are many tools used to work on emotional regulation. But, one I like is noticing how you are feeling in the moment and naming it. When a feeling has a name it is less scary and becomes easier to manage.
Distress Tolerance
We all experience distress. We also all have different levels of distress tolerance. The good news is that distress tolerance can improve with practice! Distraction is often used to help improve distress tolerance. When you’re able to get your mind off the situation, you’re able to manage the emotions which come with the event. Another method used to increase distress tolerance is radical acceptance. This is when you “simply” accept what is happening and look at it in an unbiased way. All while validating the emotions you have about it.
Time to Consider Teen Counseling With A DBT Therapist in Roswell, GA
Is your teen is showing symptoms of anxiety? If so, now might be the time to reach out to our mental health therapist office in the Atlanta, GA area about DBT therapy. You can have your kiddo back to where they were, or even better! Therapy can help your teen navigate all the complexities of life. And, set them up for future emotional success. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
-
Meet with a caring therapist
-
Start receiving the support you deserve!
Other Services Offered at Wellview Counseling
Teen counseling isn’t the only service offered at Wellview Counseling. Our team of therapists is also happy to offer a variety of services to support children, individuals, teens, and families. These services include treatment for anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, chronic illness, and postpartum anxiety and depression. Feel free to also learn more about our social groups for kids, or visit our blog today!