Teenagers have a lot going on during these developmental years and it can be challenging to have a serious conversation with them about their mental health. Remembering that teen anxiety is common and they won’t always be prepared or forthcoming about talking to you.
As a caregiver, it might feel like pulling teeth just to get your teen to have a conversation. However, if you’re worried that your teenager might be struggling with anxiety, getting them to open up is important.
While you shouldn’t make them feel obligated to talk about things, it’s essential for them to know that you’re there, and that you want to be a support system no matter how much they’re struggling.
With that in mind, let’s look at some solutions you can use to get your teen to open up about their anxiety, and what you can do about it.
Recognize the Signs of Teen Anxiety
One of the best things you can do as a parent is to recognize some of the common signs of anxiety in your teen. While they might try to hide them, some of the most obvious things to look out for include withdrawing from friends and activities, increased irritability, and changes in their eating and sleeping habits.
Your teen might also start displaying discomfort or fear whenever they have to leave home. If they’ve never experienced that issue before, take it into consideration.
Additionally, your teenager might experience physical symptoms of anxiety, including headaches and digestive issues. That can cause them to miss school and extracurricular activities.
Be Open to Conversation
Again, you can’t force your teen into a conversation. Approaching them about their anxiety suddenly might make them more closed off than ever.
Instead, assure them that you’re open to whatever they might have to say, and that you’re there to support them.
You can attempt to first start a casual conversation with them. Do it around the dinner table, or during a time when you and your teen are already talking about other things. Ask them if there’s anything that’s been troubling them or challenging, and you might be surprised by how quickly they open up.
Be an Active Listener
It can be difficult for teenagers to open up when they feel like they won’t really be “heard”.
If you want your teenager to talk about their anxiety, they have to know that you’ll be a support system, no matter what. That starts with being an active listener. Don’t just hear what they have to say—let them know you’re listening by using nonverbal cues, repeating what they have to say to make sure you understand, and asking questions when it’s appropriate.
Remember to give them space and time to respond to you and that you don’t have to fill the silence. Sometimes, they’re thinking of the way in which to respond and how to best articulate what’s happening for them. Your teenager’s feelings deserve to be validated. Something as simple as feeling heard and understood can make a big difference in how they feel.
Talk About the Root Cause
Once you’re engaged in a conversation with your teen about anxiety, you can continue to get them to open up by talking about what might be causing their worries. Anxiety rarely goes away without first getting to the root cause.
You might not be able to take that root cause away. But there’s a chance you can make it less overwhelming for your teen. Maybe they’re anxious about the future and attending college or getting a job. Maybe their anxiety stems from the past and a traumatic experience they went through. Whatever the case, uncovering the root cause can be very helpful in working toward healing and understanding themselves better.
Encourage Professional Help for Teen Anxiety
As hard as it might be, sometimes your teenager just won’t want to open up to you. It can be difficult for a teen to share their overwhelming and negative thoughts with a parent. If you know they’re struggling but they don’t want to talk to you about it, encourage them to get professional help.
Therapy is a fantastic way to deal with anxiety. Not only will it help your teen discover the underlying cause(s), but they’ll learn skills to help them manage their symptoms. If you’re concerned about your teenager and don’t know how to help, feel free to Contact Us for more information