Anxiety is a natural part of life. An anxiety disorder is when anxiety is severe and long-lasting. Anxiety disorders can make it difficult for teenagers to do everyday things like go to school, learn and socialise. Teenagers with anxiety disorders usually respond very well to professional treatment. And the earlier anxiety disorders are treated, the more quickly teenagers can get back to their everyday activities. Prompt treatment also means that anxiety disorders are less likely to affect mental health and development in the long term.
Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. If you or a loved one receive this dual diagnosis, you might wonder if that means double the treatment. Not necessarily—there are medications that treat both depression and anxiety. Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine the right treatment plan for your specific needs. Depression and anxiety are two different mental health disorders that are often comorbid. Meaning, they occur at the same time.
Anxious children, especially severely anxious children, often benefit from the addition of an anxiety medication. Early treatment is important in these cases because children diagnosed with anxiety are also more likely to carry that anxiety and continue to develop it as they approach adulthood. These medications may be beneficial to children and adolescents who are unable to go to school due to panic attacks, separation anxiety or social anxiety. Any medication used in a child should always be accompanied by a good therapist who engages the child, parent and sometimes school, if necessary.
There are a wide range of mental health disorders that impact teenagers on a daily basis, but none are more common than the many different anxiety disorders categorized in the DSM Still, it is important to understand what types of anxiety disorder effects teens, because it may affect treatment options. Anything getting in the way of that growth and development — such as an anxiety disorder — can be troublesome.