Moad 1

Geordyn-Makaila Moad

Mr. Lay

English 11B – A2

April 2023

Introduction

We all feel fear, dread or even uneasiness in life, these things cause us to sweat,

feel restless and tense, and even a rapid heartbeat. This is anxiety it is normal in stressful

situations such as public speaking or taking a test. This is important to me because it’s not

common for people to go out in public and get the help that they need. Being able to help people

is one of my passions because it makes me happy knowing that I can impact their lives with the

help I can provide them with. These people can overcome their anxiety if they get the right

people to help them, there are many resources in these types of situations. Many pains come

from anxiety life muscle tension, headaches, and body aches; these are all common symptoms of

stress-response hyperstimulation which comes with anxiety.

In order to fix the problem, we can implement groups in school communities, such as

support groups, getting treatments like psychotherapy and medications, and even at home

treatments like identifying and expressing feeling states and teaching calming routines. Although

Hawaii has organizations that bring support for anxiety, we need to understand that trauma

causes these nervous outbreaks and being stressed, we have support groups and therapy, but we

should be able to implement these types of groups in a school setting due to anxiety happening

within the teen communities. To implement the success of supporting teens with anxiety these

organizations can look into starting groups within school communities, have classes that will
 Moad 2

help the teen see what is going on in their surroundings, and teach them how to express their

feelings or have a calming routine.

The Problem

Anxiety is the body’s normal stress response. However, children who struggle with

clinical anxiety encounter interference in their daily social, academic, or home lives. Though

anxiety is a universal emotional experience, excess anxiety can indicate there is a problem that

needs to be addressed. It can be difficult to determine the type of anxiety someone is

experiencing. Some anxieties are short-term and situational, while others are sudden and

inexplicable. Learning the difference between stress, fear, uncertainty, panic, and social anxiety

can help with understanding someone’s anxiety signs and symptoms. Mass General Brigham

says “Mental health has a direct relationship with a child’s physical health. Both physical and

mental health influence how children think, feel, and act on both the inside and out” (McLean,

6). Stress, like anxiety, is an emotional response. Stress is usually caused by an external trigger,

like taking an exam or getting into a fight with a friend. Anxiety, on the other hand, can be an

internally created fear that seems to take on a life of its own. Both have a similar set of

symptoms: fatigue, difficulty concentrating, anger or irritability, and trouble with sleeping.

Unlike stress, clinical anxiety is not short-term and does not go away after the stressor is taken

away. Fear is the emotional response to a real or perceived threat. Anxiety is the anticipation of a

future threat.

People also use the word “anxiety” to describe lingering nervousness or a constant sense

of tension or worry. Although the word “anxiety” is commonly used, it is still a very

misunderstood condition. To better understand anxiety in kids and teens, it is important to know

what anxiety is and what it is not. Anxiety is not like a light switch that can be flipped on and
 Moad 3

off. While the worry of a child or teen who is anxious like being around strangers or being in a

small space may seem trivial, it is not to them. Because the cycle of worry and avoidance feeds

itself off, often someone with anxiety needs professional help breaking this pattern. Kids and

teens who are shy may be more likely to feel socially anxious, the two are not the same. Being

shy does not cause extreme anxiety or panic when put in a social environment. Shyness, in

addition, is a part of a kid’s personality. Social anxiety is a fear of embarrassment in a social

situation that causes avoidance. (McLean, 7)

Teenagers who suffer from excessive anxiety regularly experience a range of physical

symptoms as well. They may complain about muscle tension and cramps, stomachaches,

headaches, pain in the limbs and back, fatigue, or discomforts associated with pubertal changes.

They may blotch, flush, sweat, hyperventilate, tremble, and startle easily. Anxiety during

adolescence typically centers on changes in the way the adolescent's body looks and feels, social

acceptance, and conflicts about independence. When flooded with anxiety, adolescents may

appear extremely shy. They may avoid their usual activities or refuse to engage in new

experiences. They may protest whenever they are apart from friends. Or to diminish or deny their

fears and worries, they may engage in risky behaviors, drug experimentation, or impulsive sexual

behavior.

This leads to a cycle of anxiety, physical complaints, and school avoidance. The cycle

escalates with the worsening of physical complaints such as stomachaches, headaches, and

menstrual cramps. Visits to the doctor fail to uncover general medical explanations. The longer a

teenager stays out of school, the harder it becomes for him to overcome his fear and anxiety and

return to school. He feels increasingly isolated from school activities and different from other

kids. Some children are naturally more timid than others, as their bodies, voices, and emotions
 Moad 4

change during adolescence, they may feel even more self-conscious. Despite initial uncertainty,

most teens can join in if given time to observe and warm up. In extreme cases, called social

phobia, the adolescent becomes very withdrawn, and though he wants to take part in social

activities, he is unable to overcome intense self-doubt and worry. Gripped by excessive or

unreasonable anxiety when faced with entering a new or unfamiliar social situation, the

adolescent with social phobia becomes captive to unrelenting fears of other people's judgment or

expectations. He may deal with his social discomfort by fretting about his health, appearance, or

overall competence. Alternatively, he may behave in a clowning or boisterous fashion or

consume alcohol to deal with the anxiety. (McLean, 8)

Previous Efforts

In genetics, trauma, and environment “Teenagers with a family history of mood or

anxiety disorders may be at higher risk of developing them”, “Teenagers with a history of trauma

such as sexual abuse, violence or involvement in an accident, may be more likely to experience

anxiety and depression”, and “A teenager’s social, school, and home environments can have an

impact on their mental health. Difficulties such as abuse and neglect, divorce in the family, being

bullied, poverty, learning disabilities, and struggling to fit in may all contribute to depression and

anxiety” (Geng, 2).

A teenager can receive a full clinical diagnosis from a healthcare professional such as a

doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Certain medical concerns can mimic anxiety and

depression. These include thyroid disorders and substance use disorders. For this reason, it is

necessary to rule those out to obtain a proper diagnosis. The American Academy of Pediatrics

endorses a universal depression screening guideline for people aged 12 years and above.

Healthcare professionals may use the AAP guidelines or adult guidelines for older teenagers. The
 Moad 5

doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist will perform a psychological evaluation of the teenager by

asking a series of questions about their behaviors, moods, and thoughts. They will also take into

account the teenager’s family history, peer relationships, and school performance.

A healthcare professional will treat a teenager’s depression, anxiety, or both based on the

severity of the condition. They may suggest psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication, or both.

Usually, a combination of the two is the most effective treatment. An antidepressant, or a

combination of antidepressants, can help correct the chemical imbalance in the teenager’s brain.

Meanwhile, talk therapy may help combat negative thought patterns and behaviors. The Food

and Drug Administration Trusted Source has issued a warning that antidepressants may cause

some children and teenagers to experience suicidal thoughts. The FDA has approved two drugs

to treat depression in children: fluoxetine (Prozac), for children aged 8 years and older, and

escitalopram (Lexapro), for children aged 12 years and older. Experts state that they need more

pediatric studies, as many antidepressants with approval for adults are not proven to work in

children. The FDA requires that all antidepressants include a warning about the increased risk of

suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults up to the age of 24

years. There are differences in the brain, “Teenagers’ brains are structurally different than adults’

brains. Changes in teenagers’ brain circuits that are involved in responses to danger and rewards

can increase stress levels. Teenagers with depression and anxiety may also have different levels

of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in their brains. These

affect the regulation of moods and behavior” (Geng, 2021).

Parents or caregivers of teenagers who have depression, anxiety, or both can help them by

viewing the condition as a serious matter that requires professional attention. They should help

their teenagers find a therapist that they feel comfortable talking with and discuss a treatment
 Moad 6

program with a medical professional. Parents and caregivers can also try to encourage their

teenagers to exercise, be social, schedule their activities into manageable chunks, and find an

outlet for their emotions, such as a journal or support group.

The Solution

There are many ways to manage your anxiety as a teen, some are more helpful than

others and some may work a different way for different people. The only way to figure out what

is best for you is to try each solution out and manage which one is in your best interest. Some

ways to manage anxiety disorders include learning about anxiety, mindfulness, relaxation

techniques, correct breathing techniques, dietary adjustments, exercise, learning to be assertive,

building self-esteem, cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, structured problem solving,

medication and support groups.

There are two main treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy and medications.

You may benefit most from a combination of the two. It may take some trial and error to

discover which treatments work best for you. “In psychotherapy it is also known as talk therapy

or psychological counseling, psychotherapy involves working with a therapist to reduce your

anxiety symptoms. It can be an effective treatment for anxiety” (Mayo, 1). Cognitive behavioral

therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. Generally, a

short-term treatment, CBT focuses on teaching your specific skills to improve your symptoms

and gradually return to the activities you've avoided because of anxiety. CBT includes exposure

therapy, in which you gradually encounter the object or situation that triggers your anxiety so

you build confidence that you can manage the situation and anxiety symptoms.

The other type of treatment for anxiety is medications, there are “several types of

medications are used to help relieve symptoms, depending on the type of anxiety disorder you
 Moad 7

have and whether you also have other mental or physical health issues” (Mayo, 2). There are

certain antidepressants are also used to treat anxiety disorders. An anti-anxiety medication called

buspirone may be prescribed. In limited circumstances, your doctor may prescribe other types of

medications, such as sedatives, also called benzodiazepines, or beta blockers. These medications

are for short-term relief of anxiety symptoms and are not intended to be used long term.

Other than those two main treatments there are at home solutions to manage your anxiety

such as identifying and expressing feeling states or even teaching calming routines. Children and

teens can point to pictures to show how they are feeling. They can learn short words to associate

with feeling states like mad, sad, worried, or scared. When practiced ahead of time, calming

routines can interrupt the escalation of anxiety and overstimulation. Examples might be taking

deep breaths, counting to five or 10, listening to a calming song, looking at a favorite picture or

book, using fidget toys or stress balls, and doing mindfulness exercises.

Conclusion

Overall, our bodies can suffer from having excessive anxiety we feel many different

physical symptoms. Something we avoid and usual activities that we take on or even refuse in

new experiences. We deny our feelings and worries, we don’t look for people for help but look

for risky behaviors or bad ideas that will get us into trouble. Hawaii can implement ideas in

which it can help us teens work with our feelings and not take any risks to get us into bad

situations. Bring light into situations which can help teens, having support groups in school

communities can us get to know our own feelings, how it works and how to maintain the good

instead of the bad.

Many efforts were made within health care professions, there are treatments for teens that

help with anxiety and depression, or both based on how bad the condition is. These doctors will
 Moad 8

recommend talk therapy where teens can share their feelings and how it affects them or even take

medications that help them calm down. In our school setting we bring in support groups where

we teach calming routines such as taking deep breaths and identifying and expressing feelings

such as being mad, sad, worried or being scared.

 Moad 9

Works Cited

Aacap, Your Adolescent. “Your Adolescent - Anxiety and Avoidant Disorders.” Your
Adolescent - Anxiety and Avoidant Disorders, 2023,
www.aacap.org/aacap/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/Anxiety_Disorder_Resourc
e_Center/Your_Adolescent_Anxiety_and_Avoidant_Disorders.aspx.

Department of Health & Human Services. “Managing and Treating Anxiety.” Better Health
Channel, Department of Health & Human Services, 23 May 2002,
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/anxiety-treatment-
options.

Fragile. “Managing Anxiety ... What Works and Why?: NFXF.” National Fragile X Foundation,
16 Feb. 2023, https://fragilex.org/fxs/behavior/managing-anxietywhat-works-and-why/?
utm_term=&utm_campaign=SR%2B%7C
%2BDSA&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=1835070029&hsa_cam=1
636732309&hsa_grp=64234794362&hsa_ad=314028009076&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=dsa-
425241334006&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad=1&gclid=CjwK
CAjwjMiiBhA4EiwAZe6jQ2teYb7NWdGvYnsJe0LwljkmsA6hcRgf3HyJqKvynl3dFY6Z
1C1-kRoCGoQQAvD_BwE.

Geng, Caitlin. “Teen Anxiety and Depression: Causes, Symptoms, and More.” Medical News
Today, MediLexicon International, 2021,
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/teen-anxiety-and-depression.

Mayo. “Anxiety Disorders.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and
Research, 4 May 2018, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/diagnosis-
treatment/drc-20350967.

McLean. “Understanding Anxiety in Kids and Teens.” Understanding Anxiety in Children &
Teens | McLean Hospital, 24 Mar. 2023, www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/anxiety-kids-
teens#:~:text=Mental%20health%20challenges%20may%20come,anxiety%20in%20kids
%20and%20adolescents.