Navigating through a worldwide pandemic has caused emotional distress on many parents and students alike. As a result, anxiety diagnoses have begun increasing among teens. As a parent, it’s important to be able to identify the signs, and be able to discuss them with your child. Navigating through mental health challenges with your child can often be a difficult task, but it doesn’t have to be done alone. Zumbro Valley Health Center is here to help navigate through it alongside you.
Where does Anxiety Come From?
Over the past year, teens have been faced with a very unique set of COVID-19 related challenges. Changes in learning environments, witnessing what their families may be going through with layoffs and shutdowns, and missing out on opportunities to be a “teen” with sports, clubs, and other extracurriculars can cause anxiety in teens. As a parent, being able to identify the signs of anxiety can help start the conversation that can guide your child and family towards a happier, more satisfying life. Irritability and mood changes are among the most common signs of anxiety. If your teen is exhibiting these types of symptoms, or others such as changes in appetite and or sleeping patterns, please reach out to our caring staff of professionals.
Helping Your Teen Understand Anxiety
Oftentimes, teens don’t recognize their anxiety for what it is. Rather, they may assume something is “wrong” with them. When discussing anxiety with your child, aim to teach him or her what anxiety both is and feels like, so they are better able to identify feelings of anxiousness moving forward. Many parents may think that talking with their child about anxiety will make their child more anxious. This is actually a myth. When your teen can better acknowledge his or her feelings for what they are, he or she is more likely to cope with and overcome them.
Seeking Professional Help
Promoting mental health care from a young age can increase the potential for your teen to thrive when they reach adulthood. When seeking help from a professional, look towards a team you trust. At Zumbro Valley Health Center, we work alongside families to find the services and treatment plans that work with their unique needs. If your teen is exhibiting potential signs of anxiety, contact our professionals to schedule a mental health screening.
Our compassionate staff is on-hand, ready to help guide your teen toward a life they love. Contact us today to learn more about how our mental health services can work for your family.