Anxiety in teens: Advice from the pediatrician

According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly one in three of all adolescents ages 13 to 18 will experience an anxiety disorder.

These numbers have been rising steadily; between 2007 and 2012, anxiety disorders in children and teens went up 20%.

These stats, combined with the rate of hospital admissions for suicidal teenagers also doubling over the past decade, leaves us with many concerning questions.

What's causing the rise in teenagers with severe anxiety? How did we get here? What's going on?

While we don't know for sure, there are a number of factors that could be contributing. In addition to genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events, take the following into consideration:

• High expectations and pressure to succeed. Between standardized testing and a culture of achievement, today's youth can feel pressure to succeed in ways previous generations did not.

A survey done every year by Higher Education Research asks incoming college freshmen if they feel overwhelmed by all they have to do.

In 2016, 41% of students said "yes" compared with 28% in 2000 and 18% in 1985.

• A world that feels scary and threatening. We've seen an increase in school shootings, with resultant drills and lockdowns in schools. We've seen shootings in public places. There have been terrorist attacks here in the US and around the world taking many lives.

From just watching or reading the news, it is reasonable for anyone to feel afraid in public spaces that previously would have felt safe.

• Social media. Today's children and teens are constantly connected to social media. It's not surprising that their self-esteem - and worldview - becomes connected to responses to social media posts. It's hard for them not to compare their life and social connections to what they see others posting on social media.

There are also some children who have unexpected and disproportionate reactions to normal developmental experiences like going to school, going to a party, doing a sleepover or going to camp; children who worry excessively about everyday life activities. This often starts in the years right before puberty.

Whatever the cause, this rise in anxiety is a real problem for our youth.

Chronic anxiety can lead to serious mental health problems - depression, substance use, and even suicide.

It can interfere with the ability to focus and learn, causing school problems that can have lifelong impact. It can also lead to physical problems, such as headaches, chronic pain, digestive problems, and later heart disease.

Anxiety disorders cut across all demographics - suburban, urban, and rural. They affect those who are college-bound and those who are not.

So, what can parents, teachers, and anyone else who interacts with children and teens do?

Be aware of the signs of anxiety. Sometimes children may say that they are anxious, but other times it is less clear - especially as they may not even realize it themselves. Signs can include:

• Recurring fears and worries about routine parts of everyday life

• Changes in behavior, such as irritability

• Avoiding activities, school, or social interactions

• Dropping grades or school avoidance

• Trouble sleeping or concentrating

• Substance use or other risky behaviors

• Chronic physical complaints, such as fatigue, headaches, or stomachaches.

Talk with kids about potential stressors. Try to see the world the way they do - and help them to keep perspective and find ways to cope.

Be mindful of the expectations you set for children and teens. High expectations can help children reach their potential, but they need to be realistic ones.

Not only that, remember that kids need time to relax, play, and be with friends - all of which are crucial for their mental and physical health.

And it's important for all of us to remember that there is more to life than achievement.

Talk with kids about their social media use. Help them take breaks - and help them think critically and rationally about the effect of social media on their lives.

See How to Connect with Your Teen about Smart & Safe Media Use on www.healthychildren.org.

How pediatricians screen kids for anxiety:

• At visits - whether they are well child visits or appointments made because of a concern - pediatricians ask questions about a child's physical complaints, mood, behavior and activities, as well as what is going on at school, at home, and in other areas of life.

• Pediatricians also use screening tools such as the Pediatric Symptom Checklist that look for signs of different mental health problems, including anxiety. Pediatricians often refer to mental health professionals, as well, in order to more fully evaluate children when there is a concern.

Know anxiety is treatable

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 80% of kids with a diagnosable anxiety disorder are not getting treatment - and anxiety disorders are highly treatable!

As with most problems, the earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

The most effective treatments for anxiety disorders are cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT) and SSRI medications.

CBT focuses on changing how the child thinks about his fear, increasing exposure to feared situations, and relaxation strategies such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and positive self‐talk (repeating positive or reassuring statements to oneself). Exposure therapy, a type of CBT, focuses on increasing exposure to feared objects or activities.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) - commonly prescribed antidepressants - are the medications most frequently used for treating anxiety disorders in children.

Studies have found a combination of CBT and medication for 12 weeks yields a positive response in 80% of children with anxiety disorders. In fact, 65% of those children had no or minimal anxiety symptoms after the 12 weeks of treatment.

With CBT alone, 60% had a positive response - about 35% of those children having no or minimal anxiety symptoms. However, it is important to note that SSRI medications can be administered safely and be an important part of child's anxiety disorder treatment.

As with any mental health disorder, anything that supports general well-being is an important part of anxiety disorder treatment - regular sleep, exercise, meditation, relaxation apps, or yoga can be helpful. However, these are not a substitute for CBT or medication.

The world is a challenging place. As parents (or anyone else who interacts with young people), you have a very important role in helping children take on new challenges, build coping strategies, and learn the resiliency skills they need to adapt in the face of adversity.

If you are noticing signs of anxiety in your child or are worried that something you are seeing could be related to anxiety, talk with your pediatrician.

For more information on child and adolescent health, visit healthychildren.org.

• Children's Health is a continuing series. This week's article is provided by Claire McCarthy, MD, FAAP, American Academy of Pediatrics.