CPD - Understanding Anxiety in Teenagers

One’s teenage years are the most exciting yet challenging parts of life. There is a significant change in both physical and mental aspects. However, this is also a time of experiencing challenges socially and emotionally. Teenagers may go through different phases and, in turn, cause mental health problems. Anxiety in teenagers is considered one of the most common difficulties encountered.

For this live session, we will focus on anxiety and how it affects teenagers. This is a common problem that many face. Furthermore, it’s something that goes beyond feeling overwhelmed. We can help teens handle this roller coaster phase with proper understanding and support.

Join us as we break down all the important concepts of anxiety in teenagers, recognise the signs, and create achievable solutions for everyone.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a person’s natural response to stress but in overwhelming and persistent ways that can interfere with daily life. When talking about anxiety in teenagers, causes can come from different social and mental factors. Examples include pressure to do good in school, having a hard time making friends, or going through physical changes due to puberty.

Moreover, the condition may worsen during the teenage years because they are in a period of self-discovery and finding their place in the world. For example, a teenage girl wants to work in the construction industry but worries about what her friends will think of women in a male-dominated field. Because of this, they may overthink most of the events in their lives and become guarded with their emotions. 

Therefore, knowledge and training regarding how teens are in general plus understanding their emotions are crucial. Seeing the early signs can create a way to address the anxiety in teenagers and find possible solutions. Furthermore, the struggles these teenagers may go through are heard and understood, which is something that they need all the time.

Here are the signs that you can look out for:

• Worries about a lot of things: friendships, school, and how they look.
• They feel restless or tense when in conversation.
• Extremely sensitive and self-conscious.
• Avoid interactions, especially during gatherings or parties.
• Have trouble with their schoolwork, often not being able to concentrate.
• Eating habits change and lessen their intake.
• Overthink situations that most likely won’t happen.
• Feeling dizzy, sweaty, and a fast heartbeat.
• Difficulty breathing, headaches, and “butterflies in their stomach”
• Shaking, especially when being told to interact or do something they don’t feel like doing.

Programme Summary

The course will help parents, teachers, and guardians effectively address anxiety in teenagers. The speaker's main goal is to create a supportive and safe space for teens, encouraging better communication and understanding. Handling these problems can be difficult at times, but the journey is worth it.

Here are the goals of the programme:

1. Teach about the early recognition of signs of anxiety.
2. Understand the importance of showing them support despite not wanting to talk things out.
3. Creating strategies to help teens feel comfortable in opening up and sharing about their experiences.
4. Learn about the different causes of pressure both at home and in school.
5. Shed light on the outcomes of treatment for anxiety in the UK.

Students will gain important concepts about anxiety in teenagers and how to properly address the situation. Creating an accepting and loving home for them is one of our main priorities. Furthermore, learners will know how they can lessen the triggers and reduce episodes.

Course Plan

For this programme, guests will explore the concept and impact of anxiety in teenagers. This includes the different types of responses to triggers, panic attacks, and even phobias. Moreover, each topic is created specifically to provide real-world situations that can give viewers practical solutions. Students can expect to learn about the following:

• Differentiating between “normal” teen stress and a full-blown anxiety episode.
• Learn about techniques wherein you can teach teens about strength.
• Encourage open communication between all members of the family and friends.
• Know about the major role of lifestyle changes, including exercise and nutrition.
• Use tools and technology to help teens with schoolwork and academic deadlines.

The session will last for at least one to two hours. Audience interactions are also highly appreciated. Therefore, if you have questions for our lecturer, you may send them through the live chat. This allows a clear explanation for any concerns while also encouraging better learning.

Common causes of anxiety in teens

Anxiety in teenagers is a tricky topic to follow. This is because it stems from different sources, some of which aren’t explainable. Furthermore, these may also lead to other emotional reactions that can sometimes cause disagreement. Here’s a list that you can use:

1. A fear of the future

It’s normal to feel worried about the future. For most teens, they think about whether they’ll get the job they want or not. This is why it's important to invest in early training for proper CV writing. Teenagers will be able to create an impressive document that can help secure their futures.

2. Family issues

Sometimes, triggers and causes may also be from the household. Teenagers may feel pressured by their parents when it comes to grades and extracurricular activities. Sometimes, when the parents go through separation, it may also cause anxiety in teenagers.

3. Hormonal changes

As mentioned earlier, teenagers go through puberty. This means that they have different body processes that cause them to become more moody and irritated. Furthermore, this is the time when they start going through hormones that help them mature physically and mentally. Going through this change may contribute greatly to anxiety in teenagers.

4. School issues

School causes a lot of pressure for most students. This may be due to the pressure to perform well or juggling assignments and hands-on projects. On the other hand, bullying may also be a problem as well as issues with friends. All these factors may cause extreme anxiety in teenagers. This is why it’s important to be as involved as you can in their school life.

Strategies to help teenagers cope their worries

Every teen is different as well as what they’re going through. This is why some strategies and techniques are tailored to each one. However, if you still haven’t figured out how you’ll handle anxiety in teenagers, that’s okay. Here are some strategies that can help somehow:

• Encourage communication: Create a safe space where teenagers can openly share their experiences at school or their struggles. Active listening should also be done to help ease the burden.
• Establish routines: Anxiety in teenagers can be lessened if they have a sense of stability through routines. This reduces their feeling of not being sure how things will go.
• Regular exercise and meditation: Having the condition causes overthinking and replaying scenarios from the past. Exercising helps release “happy hormones”. On the other hand, meditation helps with relaxation and breathing techniques to calm down. 
• Control social media: Social media can be damaging to a teen’s self-esteem. Also, the news may cause alarming anxiety in teenagers. It’s best to limit screen time as much as they can during this phase of their lives.
• Seek help when needed: Unfortunately, most parents are in denial of their teen’s conditions and avoid professional help. Once you notice the signs of anxiety, make sure to help them by seeking help.

Creating a safe and accepting environment is essential for managing anxiety in teenagers. Whether at home or school, the main goal should always be toward creating boundaries and their well-being. Parents together with the school administration can collaborate to help all teens through helpful strategies and techniques.

Support the teens with CCM

Puberty issues such as anxiety in teenagers may be one of the most difficult to tackle, especially for parents and guardians. However, you don't have to do it alone. The College of Contract Management does more than host lectures for different subjects. We aim to become a school that also sheds light on different issues that affect families at home.

Furthermore, we believe in addressing social issues through education. Our programmes are designed to be practical and helpful, with real-world situations to further enhance learning. Take the next step and help understand anxiety in teenagers. By doing so, you create a better future for them while also prioritising their mental health.

The schedule of our CPD - Understanding Anxiety in Teenagers course will be posted once our team finalises everything with the lecturer. Any additional materials for the session will also be posted along with the schedule. For questions, you may send a message to our support staff through email or live chat.