Behaviors That Speak Louder Than Words: Anxiety in Teens

When we think of anxiety, we often imagine someone who is worried, overwhelmed or nervous.
However, in teenagers, anxiety doesn’t always show up in the same way. It most often shows up
in less obvious ways – like moodiness, avoidance and physical complaints.

Many parents miss these signs, not from lack of concern, but because teen anxiety doesn’t
always present in obvious ways.

It can look like defiance.
It can look like laziness.
It can look like an attitude.

Anxiety doesn’t always announce itself, sometimes it may look like this:

Attitude
At times, anxiety in teens can show up as irritability or moodiness. Individuals who seem easily
annoyed may be struggling with overthinking and mental fatigue.

Perfectionism
Some anxious teens may appear to be over achievers. They tend to overwork and put too much
pressure on themselves. Behind all this lies the fear of not being good enough.

Social Withdraw
An anxious teen may isolate themselves from their friends and family because the interactions
may feel mentally and emotionally overwhelming.

Understanding the different ways anxiety can show up in your teen is important along with never
making them feel judged. The goal is always to understand them and make them feel heard.
Early understanding and support can change the narrative for so many teens dealing with these
issues currently. Feeling seen and understood can be the first step in helping your loved ones
manage anxiety.