Adolescent girls are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder as boys. If you’re the parent of a teen girl who suffers from negative thinking, anxiety (and depression), you understand how difficult of a time it can be.
Studies show that differences in how the brain in terms of how girls and boys process emotional stimuli is a big part of the issue. Because girls mature faster than boys in terms of their emotional recognition, it could make them more vulnerable to anxiety disorders.
Understanding The Symptoms Of Anxiety
Anxiety originates as an adaptive system that lets the body know when it’s in danger. It becomes a problem when it’s more than the situation requires and interferes with the person’s ability to function. Making the situation more difficult is the fact that anxiety disorders often affect teens years before they’re diagnosed. Moreover, the child may seem content and compliant around home, or not misbehaving at school.
Warning Signs
*An anxiety disorder may be confused with shyness. Shyness is a temperament, not a debilitating disorder. A teen with an anxiety disorder will become very upset if they have to interact with people, whereas a shy teen will eventually warm up to the situation.
*Adolescents with social anxiety disorders may drop out of – and totally avoid – all extracurricular activities. By high school, they may even refuse to go to school.
*A teen with an anxiety disorder may avoid eye contact, mumble, or speak quietly when addressed by other people.
*The teen may have excessive worry about doing or saying something “stupid.”
*The teen may complain of stomach aches and want to stay home from school, or avoid field trips and parties.
Negative Thinking
Everyone, young and old, deals with negative thinking. But when it goes unchecked and unchallenged, it can be particularly harmful to to people who suffer from anxiety disorders. Knowing how to challenge negative self-talk becomes vitally important in adolescence.
Signs Of Negative Thinking
*All or nothing thinking
*Over-generalization
*Jumping to conclusions
*Emotional reasoning
Turning Winds Academic Institute can help your teen get her life back on track if she suffers from debilitating anxiety disorders, or is dealing with other serious, harmful life issues. Located in scenic Troy, Montana, Turning Winds offers a personal wilderness experience as well as the benefits of a traditional residential treatment center. Call us today so that we can help your Daughter. 800-845-1380
