Teen Anxiety Treatment in Los Angeles
Anxiety is your body’s normal reaction to stress. It’s an impending sense of nervousness of what is to come. While this feeling is temporary for many, for some teens it’s constant. When the feeling of anxiety is crippling and interfering with day-to-day activities, or if it doesn’t go away with time, then it could mean your child is suffering from an anxiety disorder.
Understanding Teenage Anxiety
What is Anxiety in Teenagers?
Teen anxiety disorder is a common issue that usually manifests in puberty. It is a state of mind that makes adolescents feel an abundance of dread, stress, and uneasiness. This can cause teenagers to be tense, distracted, and careless. It is an issue that is often overlooked and misdiagnosed, which can prompt other psychological disorders further down the road. Some common signs of teen anxiety include accelerated pulse, intrusive thoughts, trouble concentrating, insomnia, lightheadedness, stomach aches, nausea, and nervousness.
Teen Anxiety Causes
What Causes Anxiety in Teens?
Adolescent anxiety can be caused by a variety of factors, including biological changes and environmental stressors. During adolescence, there are major changes that occur in the brain. Specifically, the area of the brain responsible for regulating emotion, the amygdala, is highly active during this period which can lead to increased feelings of anxiety. In addition, teens may also be more sensitive to stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. Teens often experience a wide range of environmental stressors that can trigger anxiety as well, such as school and social pressures, changes in family dynamics, and feelings of uncertainty about the future. Finally, teens who have experienced trauma or abuse in the past are more likely to experience anxiety. Trauma can be a major source of stress for teens, as it can lead to fears that their environment is unsafe or unpredictable.
Teenage Anxiety Disorders
Types of Anxiety Disorders in Teenagers
Anxiety disorders in teenagers are a difficult and complex issue. There are many types of anxiety disorders that cause a wide range of symptoms and behaviors. If left untreated, any of these types of anxiety disorders can significantly interfere with the daily activities and overall quality of life for teenage individuals. This is why it’s important to address concerns about teen anxiety early on.
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER
Those who experience GAD spend numerous hours being stressed. This persistent affliction is all-consuming, often disturbing the daily routine. Ordinary everyday activities can constantly trigger anxious feelings.
PANIC DISORDER
A sensation of looming fear or panic at a moment’s notice could indicate a panic disorder in teens. These episodes can trigger an elevated pulse, chest palpitations, breathlessness, unsteadiness, and an upset stomach. Teenagers will frequently be afraid of their next panic attack, forming a vicious circle.
SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
While being nervous in social situations is common for teens, feeling intense dread when in the presence of others may be indicative of social phobia. Your teen may be frequently concerned about saying the “wrong” thing or what others may think of them.
OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER
OCD is an anxiety disorder in teens characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors that interfere with daily activities. The focus of the behavior may be on orderliness, perfectionism, and cleanliness.
SPECIFIC PHOBIAS
A phobia is an intense fear of a specific object or situation, such as heights, spiders, or flying. The fear may be so extreme that teens avoid any contact with the object or situation and may experience severe panic attacks when exposed to them.
AGORAPHOBIA
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder in which teenagers feel panicked in situations where escape may be difficult, such as crowded buses, stores, or elevators. Teens with agoraphobia often avoid public spaces and may refuse to leave the house.
Teenage Anxiety Treatment Options
Teen Anxiety Treatment in Los Angeles, CA
There are many ways to help your teenager with anxiety. Key Healthcare provides anxiety treatment programs for troubled teens, and we develop individualized treatment programs to ensure long-term recovery. If you are interested in learning more about our teen anxiety treatment options, contact us today.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)
Our intensive outpatient program for teens and adolescents with anxiety takes place 9 hours per week over the course of 4-12 weeks. Your teen will participate in therapy sessions that help them work through the reasons for their anxiety.
Partial Hospitalization Treatment (PHP)
Our Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program for anxiety takes place 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 3-4 weeks. Teens will attend therapy sessions where they will develop the coping skills needed to manage their anxiety and reduce feelings of nervousness.
Teen Residential Treatment Program
Key Healthcare’s teen residential treatment program is a 45-60 day program in Malibu, California, where adolescents receive the highest level of care, with 24/7 support.
Individual and Group Therapy
We utilize a variety of teen individual therapy and group therapies to treat anxiety and dual diagnosis substance abuse including cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, and acceptance and commitment therapy. During sessions, teens will learn coping skills and how to process their emotions.
Extended Care
Our male-only extended care facility for anxiety in teens is a combination of our partial hospitalization program and sober living. Your teen will have around-the-clock support to treat all issues related to his anxiety.
Insurances We Accept
Up to 100% of the Costs Covered by Insurance
Key Healthcare works with a majority of health insurance providers and depending on your plan, 100% of the costs may be covered. Verify your insurance to get more information about your coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Teen Anxiety FAQs
Get answers to frequently asked questions about teenage anxiety.
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What Is An Anxiety Attack?
- An anxiety attack is an overwhelming feeling of dread, stress, and emotional pain. For some individuals, anxiety gradually builds up over time. It might emerge when an unpleasant occasion draws near. Its numerous symptoms may also change drastically and are usually different depending on the person. A panic attack and an anxiety attack share some effects, but they are different disorders. Common side effects of an anxiety attack include feeling weak or lightheaded, breathlessness, dry mouth, perspiration, chills and shivering, stress, nervousness, and dread.
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Are There Tests That Can Diagnose Anxiety?
- A simple test can’t diagnose anxiety since there are different levels of anxiety. An anxiety diagnosis requires several face-to-face interactions and assessments. A few specialists may start with basic tests, like blood and urine samples, to identify if other ailments contribute to the disorder.
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Can You Recover From Anxiety?
- Anxiety problems can be treated with medication, psychotherapy, or a mix of both. Anxiety is a mild issue for some people, so they choose to live with it and not look for treatment. Nevertheless, know that this disorder can always be dealt with, even in extreme cases. Even though anxiety can never truly disappear, one can figure out how to treat it and live a joyful, stable life.
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If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about Key Healthcare, fill out our contact form and one of our team members will reach out to you soon.