Symptoms of Teen Anxiety

Symptoms of five teen anxiety disorders (panic, phobic, obsessive-compulsive, stress related - PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder- , and generalized anxiety) will be individually reviewed. It is useful, however, to discuss these teen anxiety symptoms in a general manner before categorizing different types of anxiety.

It should be kept in mind that some level of anxiety in teens is useful. Humans would not function as creatively or maintain a satisfactory level of personal safety without it. However, teen anxiety symptoms have reached an unhealthy level under the following circumstances:

1. When the subjective sense of worry, tension, and general dis-ease about a known or unknown object or event is clearly out of proportion to the objective need. Both Julie and Jason (referred to earlier) were prevented from enjoying normal teen life by their perception of potential failure and embarrassment
2. When excessive worry, or hypervigilance, distracts from normal life. When worry causes excessive irritability or insomnia
3. When somatic symptoms, such as twitches, muscle aches, and jitters result from worry
4. When nervous hyperactivity causes sweating, speeded heart rate, frequent urination, diarrhea, or light-headedness, and is not in response to a true threat 

Symptoms such as these should be considered warning signs that the adolescent may be experiencing too much anxiety and is in need of treatment of a teen anxiety disorder.

• Teen Anxiety Disorder Subtypes
• Panic Disorder
• Specific Phobia
• Teen Social Phobia – Teen Social Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Stress Related Disorders
• Generalized Anxiety Disorders
• Causes of Teen Anxiety
• Treatment of Teen Anxiety
• Teen Anxiety Resources & References