Getting Help for Your Anxious Teen

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems for teens. It is estimated that up to 25% of teens are affected by anxiety. However, very few teens actually seek help for their anxiety. Most teens don’t tell their parents or seek help because they feel confused, embarrassed, or fearful. This stigma, or negative attitude towards someone, can affect young people in many ways.

Teens are often worried about seeking help because of the fear of what others will think of them. This is a normal feeling and more common than you may have thought. The only way to break the stigma is to encourage young people to talk about mental health and raise awareness about having anxiety. Instead of bottling up negative feelings, they may find more relief by sharing their anxiety with others who they trust. One of those individuals may be a mental professional who can assure you the confidentiality and safe space to talk. Learn more about the Team of Counselors at CT Psych Now.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Stigma in Adolescents: Personal and Perceived Stigma Levels and Predictors by Alison L. Calear, Philip J. Batterman, Kathleen M. Griffiths, & Helen Christensen (2017)