Here’s What You Need to Know About Anxiety in Teens

& How to Help

It’s no secret that today’s teens are under more pressure than ever. Between school demands, social media, friendships, and future goals, many teens are carrying more stress than their developing brains know how to manage.

And if you're a parent watching your teen spiral into overthinking, avoidance, or emotional shutdowns—you’re probably asking the same question so many others are:
“Is this normal... or is this anxiety?”

Let’s talk about what anxiety really is, how it shows up in teens, and what you can do to help.

What Is Teen Anxiety, Really?

Anxiety is more than just feeling nervous before a test or worrying about an upcoming event. For teens, anxiety can feel all-consuming—like a constant buzz in the background that won’t go away.

It’s their brain doing exactly what it’s designed to do: detect threats. The problem is that the threat system is always turned on with anxiety—even when there’s no danger.

**This can lead to physical symptoms like:**
*Trouble sleeping*
*Headaches or stomachaches*
*Muscle tension*
*Feeling “on edge” all the time*
**And emotional or behavioral symptoms like:**
*Avoiding school or social situations*
*Constant overthinking or reassurance-seeking*
*Meltdowns over small things*
*People-pleasing or perfectionistic habits*
*Difficulty making decisions*

In short? Anxiety tells your teen that something bad is going to happen—and that they won’t be able to handle it.

The Hidden Ways Anxiety Affects Teens

While some signs of anxiety are easy to spot, others can sneak up on you. You might notice your once-motivated teen procrastinating or refusing to go to school. You may see emotional outbursts and wonder if it’s just “teen hormones.”

But here’s the truth: anxiety doesn’t always look like fear.

Here are 5 ways stress can affect a teen that might surprise you:

Irritability or anger (their emotions feel out of control)
Perfectionism (a way to prevent failure or judgment)
Shutting down emotionally (to avoid feeling overwhelmed)
Avoiding anything that feels hard (even things they once enjoyed)
Overachieving (trying to outrun their own inner critic)

Anxiety is exhausting. And many teens don’t know how to put it into words. Instead, they show you through their behavior—and it’s our job to decode it with compassion.

How Therapy Helps Teens With Anxiety

When anxiety becomes a daily struggle, it’s not just a phase—it’s a pattern. And like any pattern, it can be unlearned.

That’s where therapy comes in.

Therapy for anxious teens is not about “fixing” them. It’s about helping them:

Understand where their anxiety comes from
Learn what triggers it
Build emotional regulation and calming skills
Practice reframing anxious thoughts
Develop confidence in handling life’s challenges

Therapy gives your teen a space where they’re not judged or told to “calm down.” Instead, they learn how to listen to their body, respond to stress in healthy ways, and trust themselves.

And for many teens, that’s life-changing.

Why Your Teen’s Anxiety Might Sound Like This…

If your teen could say what they’re really thinking, it might sound like this:

“I can’t mess up or people will think I’m a failure.”
“What if I embarrass myself?”
“I have to do everything perfectly or I’m not enough.”
“If I don’t overthink it, I’ll miss something.”
“I don’t know who I am without the pressure.”

Anxiety distorts how teens see themselves—and therapy helps shift that perspective.

👉 We quiet the voice that says, “You’re not doing enough.”
👉 We replace perfectionism with progress.
👉 We teach your teen that they can feel safe in their own body—and that they don’t have to earn rest, love, or worth!

You Don’t Have to Wait Until It Gets Worse

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health struggles for teens—but it’s also one of the most treatable. And the earlier your teen gets support, the easier it is to build resilience that lasts!

If your child is stuck in patterns of fear, overthinking, or self-doubt, therapy can be the next right step.

They don’t have to keep living in their head.
They don’t have to keep performing to feel “enough.”
And you don’t have to keep guessing how to help.

📩 Reach out here to learn more about therapy for anxious teens in Fairfield, NJ or Lincoln Park, NJ, or to schedule a free consultation. I’d love to support your family as your teen learns how to manage anxiety—and feel like themselves again.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kristen Hanisch | Child + Teen Therapist | NJ, VT, & FL (@hanischcounseling_)

Attention Parents of Anxious Teens: What To Know