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Understanding Anxiety

Anxiety is a term we often hear thrown around in casual conversations, films, and across social media posts. But what is it exactly? Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried; it's a normal reaction to stressful situations. However, for some people, these feelings can be persistent, overwhelming, and potentially debilitating. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions affecting millions worldwide, including a significant number of young people in the UK.

Generally, anxiety is your body's natural response to stress, signalling potential threats or dangers. This response can be beneficial in some situations, helping you to stay alert and focused, or prompt actions like studying for upcoming exams. However, when the feelings become excessive, last for longer than six months, and interfere with daily life, they might signify an anxiety disorder.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are multiple types of anxiety disorders, including:

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Excessive anxiety about various activities or events, not just one specific issue.
• Panic Disorder: characterised by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks sudden periods of intense fear.
• Social Anxiety Disorder: Extreme fear of being judged by others in social situations.
• Specific Phobias: Intense fear of a specific object or situation, such as heights or flying.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are closely related to anxiety disorders.

What Triggers Anxiety?

Anxiety triggers are as varied as the individuals who experience them. Common triggers among teens include school-related stress, such as exams and presentations, social situations, family issues, and changes in routine or life circumstances. Even daily news or social media exposure can heighten anxiety, especially if the content is disturbing or relates directly to the individual's fears.

How Anxiety Affects Young Lives

For teenagers, who are already dealing with hormonal changes and social pressures, anxiety can be particularly challenging. It might manifest in various ways, including:

• Persistent worry that disrupts schoolwork and relationships.
• Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach-aches, or a racing heart.
• Avoidance of social activities or school altogether.
• Difficulty concentrating, leading to a drop in academic performance.
• Sleep disturbances, eating disorders, or depression.

Understanding and addressing anxiety in its early stages can prevent it from escalating into a more severe problem, promoting a healthier, more fulfilling life during these formative years.

Practical Strategies for Managing Anxiety

Feeling anxious is a universal human experience, but managing it can make a world of difference. Here are some tried and tested strategies that can help:

1. Talk About It

Finding someone you trust to discuss your feelings can be therapeutic. It could be a friend, a family member, a teacher, or a counsellor. Talking helps you to not only unload some of the burdens but also sometimes helps in gaining different perspectives that might help you handle your anxiety better.

2. practise Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises can significantly reduce anxiety. These practices help you stay in the moment and make it easier to manage overwhelming emotions and thoughts.

3. Establish a Routine

Maintaining a balanced routine can provide a sense of normalcy and security. Structuring your day and incorporating time for activities you enjoy can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety.

4. Limit Stimuli

Reducing exposure to stressful stimuli, especially close to bedtime such as social media, news, or even stimulating movies can help manage anxiety. Instead, opt for calming activities like reading or listening to soothing music.

5. Exercise Regularly

Physical activity is a powerful stress reducer. It not only helps in managing physical energy and promoting better sleep, but it also releases endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are natural painkillers and mood elevators.

6. Consider Professional Help

If anxiety affects your ability to function or enjoy life, seeking help from a mental health professional can make a big difference. They can recommend therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which has been proven effective for anxiety disorders.

Conclusion

Anxiety is a complex condition, but understanding its facets and acknowledging when it's more than just temporary nerves is crucial, especially during the teenage years. By adopting coping strategies and seeking help when necessary, young people can better navigate these turbulent times with resilience and strength. Remember, you're not alone, and there are always resources and people ready to support you through your journey.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

• Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
• The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
• Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.