Anxiety is a well known problem facing teens today. A person experiencing anxiety is facing intense stress, and as a result, feels like they are failing in life or school. No one should ever have to feel this way, I see so many other students suffering with anxiety. They are always walking with their head down, being unsocial, mumbling to themselves, and are sometimes crying.

The causes of anxiety can be divorce, school, family, money issues, family, friendships, or obsession over one’s looks. In the United States today, 42 billion dollars are spent to help people treat anxiety disorders.  Did you know that 6.8 million people suffer with anxiety, and that women are two times more likely to have anxiety? Adults need to be aware of this mental illness in order to better recognize this in teens.

The effects of anxiety can include depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, eating disorders, anxiety attacks, headaches, tension, twitching, difficulty breathing, anxiousness, and nausea. The longer adults let children have anxiety the more severe the situation gets. I once got an anxiety attack and when it happened I got a knot in my stomach, I started to shake, and I could not move. It was one of the worst feelings I have ever had.

The way adults can stop this is by having their child have a warm shower or bath, see a counselor, get a prescription, take deep breaths, find positive distractions like reading or writing in their journals, and find more uplifting thoughts to focus on. If you see someone who looks like they are depressed or suicidal, it would probably be best for them to have an adult at the house if they are going to be home alone. Of course, there is other ways to combat anxiety, you just need to choose the best methods that  work best for your child.

Adults and teachers, please know that anxiety is not just some weird phase, as is still assumed by many in this country. It’s a serious problem. Parents wonder why a child commits suicide, and is assuming it  depression, but it can also be anxiety. Please watch out for the warning signs. If we find the symptoms of anxiety we could help people get out of their slump.  When your child's anxiety is treated properly and under control,  he or she may live a long, successful, and happy life.