Ask a group of teens how they’re feeling and you’ll likely hear terms like stress, overwhelm, and anxiety. In fact, anxiety is the most common mental health disorder among teens today. Teenage anxiety has been around for ages, but experts say it’s a worrying trend unlike what’s happening these days. “About 20% of children used to have a clinical anxiety disorder,” said Dr. John Piacentini, director of the UCLA CARES program, a child anxiety center. That’s a big number.” Piacentini was one of the experts speaking at the recent AIM Youth Mental Health Symposium at the Monterey Conference Center. He likens anxiety to a natural car alarm. Anxiety allows us to perceive potential threats and act accordingly, but today’s teens are receiving all sorts of information that comes nonstop and unfiltered. there is. “Children are being bombarded with fear and danger signals from all over the world. Either it’s dangerous, or something bad is about to happen, and that’s hitting children hard,” said Piacentini. There are many different types of anxiety disorders. Separation anxiety can cause real fear in young children. Phobias are fears of certain things or situations, such as dogs or going to the dentist. Many young people have social anxiety. You feel uncomfortable in social situations. While some people fear the future, others still experience panic attacks. These disorders can be debilitating, and experts say parents, teachers, and others who work with children recognize that, for the most part, these teens aren’t overly dramatic. said it was important. Their fear is very real. “Their anxiety is real,” said clinical psychologist Ramona Friedman, Ph.D., who spoke at the AIM symposium. He said there is a law. That’s a big challenge now. Too many young people suffer and there are a limited number of professionals trained to treat anxiety disorders. The most effective treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on so-called exposure-response prevention, which basically means teaching children and their families the skills they need to know how to deal with anxiety. To do. And most of the time, it’s about stepping into their insecurities and practicing those key skills — not just young people, but their parents, because anxious kids have anxious parents. ” Learning how to deal with and face fear with the help of a therapist is central to cognitive-behavioral therapy. Friedman says it works. “CBT is evidence-based. ‘It’s been studied for decades and is truly the gold standard,'” Friedman said. With the number of therapists trained to deal with anxiety disorders still limited, it’s more important than ever to address anxiety before it sets in, Friedman said. “She has reached the level where such intervention is needed. There are simple things parents and teachers can do to help. Listen to teens and acknowledge their feelings. Give them an imperfect space, she also says, “Self-care, diet, exercise and downtime are all important aspects of mental health. Seek professional help if anxiety persists. Teens with anxiety disorders are more prone to risky behavior, depression, isolation, poor academic performance, and even physical illness. KSBW 8 focuses on the challenges young people face regarding mental health and community organizations that can help. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, we’ve compiled a list of Central Coast resources. help.List of Local Youth Mental Health Resources
Ask a group of teens how they’re feeling and you’ll likely hear terms like stress, overwhelm, and anxiety. In fact, anxiety is the most common mental health disorder among teens today.
Teenage anxiety has been around for ages, but experts say it’s a worrying trend unlike what’s happening these days. “About 20% of children used to have a clinical anxiety disorder,” said Dr. John Piacentini, director of the UCLA CARES program, a child anxiety center. It’s a big number.”
Piacentini was one of the experts speaking at the recent AIM Youth Mental Health Symposium at the Monterey Conference Center. He likens anxiety to a natural car alarm. Anxiety allows us to perceive potential threats and act accordingly, but today’s teens are receiving all sorts of information that comes nonstop and unfiltered. there is.
“Children are being bombarded with fear and danger signals from all over the world. There is so much to worry about and they have no more breaks. Everything they see in their world is something dangerous. It’s something, or something bad is about to happen, and it’s putting a lot of strain on children,” said Piacentini.
There are many different types of anxiety disorders. In young children, separation anxiety can cause real fear. Phobias are fears of certain things or situations, such as dogs or going to the dentist. Many young people have social anxiety.
They feel uncomfortable in social situations. While some people may be afraid of the future, others may still experience panic attacks. Any of these disorders can be debilitating, and experts say parents, teachers, and others who work with children recognize that, for the most part, these teens are not overly dramatic. said it is important to
Their feelings of fear are very real. Piacentini says: “Anxiety disorders and panic are real. They may not be in serious danger, but children feel they are in danger and that something bad is about to happen. Their anxiety is real.” is.”
Ramona Friedman, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who also spoke at the AIM symposium and is an expert in treating anxiety disorders in children, says that despite the challenges, there are effective treatments.
It’s a big challenge now. Too many young people suffer and there are a limited number of professionals trained to treat anxiety disorders.
The most effective treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on so-called exposure-response prevention, which basically means teaching children and their families the skills they need to know how to deal with anxiety. To do. And most of the time, it’s about stepping into their insecurities and practicing those key skills — not just young people, but their parents, because anxious kids have anxious parents. ”
Learning how to deal with and face fear with the help of a therapist is central to cognitive-behavioral therapy. Friedman says it works.
“CBT is evidence-based. It’s been studied for decades and is truly the gold standard,” Friedman said.
Because the number of therapists trained to deal with anxiety disorders is still limited, Friedman says it’s more important than ever to address anxiety before such interventions reach the necessary levels. She says there are simple things her parents and teachers can do to help. Listen to teens and acknowledge their feelings.
Talk about what makes them uneasy. Forgive them the imperfect space. She also says that self-care, diet, exercise, and downtime are all important aspects of mental health, but professional help should be sought if anxiety persists. Teens with anxiety disorders are more susceptible to risky behavior, depression, isolation, poor academic performance, and even physical illness.
KSBW 8 focuses on the struggles young people face when it comes to mental health and community organizations that can help.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, we’ve put together a list of helpful Central Coast resources.
List of Local Youth Mental Health Resources
