Anxiety in Adolescents

Anxiety in Adolescents

Anxiety in adolescents is a very common disorder generated by different social and environmental factors. It can be triggered by different situations in the personal, family or school life of young people.

Teenagers undergo a period of significant neurobiological growth and physical maturation, amidst often intense social and academic pressures, and it is not unusual for problematic anxiety to manifest during these years.

Anxiety in adolescence may present as:

• Perfectionism
• School avoidance
• Panic attacks
• Somatic complaints (headaches, stomach aches)
• Intense social discomfort
• Specific phobias
• A majority of teens diagnosed with anxiety disorders also experience depressed mood.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Adolescents

In adolescents, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may manifest in a variety of ways.

Common obsessions in teens include:

• Obsessive worry about contamination
• Fears of harming others
• Intrusive sexual thoughts, images, or fears
• Over-concern with the appearance of school assignments
• Superstitious fears

Common compulsions in teens involve reassurance-seeking, ritualized touching or tapping of body parts, compulsive washing or showering, and repeating words or prayers.

When left untreated, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in teens can create patterns of avoidance, and rob young people of enjoyment and full participation in their lives.

Get in touch with us here at the Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Health (CCBH) to receive quality care and advice from our specialist therapists, as well as personalized attention for all types of anxiety disorders in adolescents in Westport, Connecticut.