Anxiety is not a condition experienced only by adults. Teenagers are prone to anxiety as well, especially when going through puberty because so many changes are going on all at once. With this in mind, treating anxiety in teenagers typically isn't that difficult once it has been diagnosed.

Treating Anxiety in Teens

Notice what is causing stress and admit that it is stressful. A teenager who is able to acknowledge the stress of a situation can better prepare himself for the anxiety that might be caused. If this doesn't work, however, going to a therapist is an important step in getting the anxiety treated. A therapist might prescribe medication such as Valium to ease the anxiety. An antidepressant also might be prescribed that, when combined with Valium, creates an effective combatant against anxiety. If a teen knows the source of her anxiety, taking a beta-blocker about an hour before the anxiety-causing event can effectively prevent an attack from happening. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective method to treat anxiety because it helps pinpoint the causes of anxiety. With the help of the therapist, a teenager will be able to point out what actions and thoughts make him anxious. Other techniques that have been shown to work with CBT include exposing the teen with the stimuli that causes his anxiety--the hope is that he will, over time, learn to remain calm when around those things that trigger anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy can teach a teen how to adapt to the anxiety so that she can control it rather than have the anxiety control her. Teens also can use relaxation techniques to help control and treat their anxiety. Effective techniques to help relax and manage stress are meditation, deep breathing and listening to calming music. Yoga and tai chi are two activities known to help manage stress and keep anxiety limited. Teenagers are advised to exercise. Exercise is a way to release steam and get past the stress that might be going through your head. Typically, cardiovascular exercises are suggested simply because they are the easiest to do and expel the most energy.

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Anxiety and Teens

Child and Adolescent Treatment with Cognitive Therapy