Adolescence by definition includes anxiety. Teenagers undergo a shift from dependence on parents to navigating a larger social world. This separation and independence cause anxiety and feelings of loneliness. In fact, feelings of anxiety and loneliness turn into worries about social conflicts, potential rejection by peers, and fears about academic failure. In this way, a cycle launches. Teens and anxiety just naturally go together.
So what is a parent to do?
3 Tips for Supporting a Stressed Out Teen:
1. Avoid the urge to fix problems for them.
This transition is also incredibly hard for parents, so they often try to solve their children’s problems. They sense their children’s anxiety and wish to spare them the pain and loneliness of working through it by themselves. Unfortunately, the message this behavior sends to teens is that their problems can’t be solved without a parent.
“Super-helping” can push teens away rather than bring them closer; they will be less likely to seek assistance from their parents when they’re always trying to solve every problem they come across.
2. Be there.
A parent’s job is quite simply to be there. It’s your job to be there when they need to push away from you while relying on friends for advice and counsel. And it’s your job to be there again when they come back to you asking for help or when you see that they are in over their heads.
3. Be honest.
Open and honest communication is essential for stress management. Make it known that you notice their feelings and that you are there in a non-judgmental way. When they do come to you for help, avoid over-processing the difficulty. Often teens want comfort, reassurance and support for their feelings, but they don’t want an immediate solution. When you stay in the moment and really listen, your child will tell you everything you need to know.
