Anxiety occurs when someone feels like he's in danger or is being threatened in some way, and it's a basic survival skill that's normal and natural. Teens might feel anxious before giving a presentation in science class or during cheerleading tryouts. Anxiety can be debilitating if the adolescent doesn't know how to cope with it. Anxiety disorders occur when the anxiety affects the teen's daily living, ability to be successful in school and ability to maintain healthy relationships.
Medication
When teens are significantly impacted by an anxiety disorder, a medical professional or psychiatrist may recommend medication to help alleviate the symptoms. Medication may be indicated if the teenager is too anxious to go to school, has panic attacks or is unable to interact with peers because of anxiety and fear. The most common type of medication prescribed for anxiety is antidepressants, because they have fewer negative side effects than anti-anxiety medications, also known as benzodiazepines.
The type of medication a teen would need depends on her anxiety disorder, how often she becomes anxious and the severity of the anxiety. For instance, a teen who becomes extremely anxious when giving a presentation in class may need to take medication only on the days in which he has to give a presentation. However, an adolescent who can't leave the house without having panic attacks may need to take the medication regularly and long-term.
Therapy
According to HelpGuide, there are two main types of therapy used to treat anxiety disorders: cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapists work with people struggling from all types of anxiety disorders to help them understand how their thoughts affect their emotions which then affect their behaviors.
Exposure therapy is used when there is a specific phobia. If an adolescent has a fear of germs and struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder because of her fear of germs, the therapist would gradually expose the teen to things she fears in a safe environment. For instance, the therapist may have the teen wash her hands one time before eating instead of the 10 times that she normally washes her hands before eating.
Alternative Treatments
Besides medication and therapy, other treatments can help decrease levels of anxiety. Biofeedback can be used with teens to teach them how to regulate basic functions, such as breathing to reduce anxiety. Hypnosis and yoga are also sometimes recommended.
It's also useful for adolescents to learn relaxation techniques in order to relieve anxiety. Deep breathing, visualization and meditation are all types of relaxation techniques that can help with anxiety disorders. Teens can learn how to do them on their own or with the help of a therapist.
