- Always offer them understanding, love, empathy support. Gently challenge them if they express negative beliefs about themselves or are too harsh.
- Encourage them to accept themselves as they are (eg; ‘being anxious doesn’t mean you are bad’). One of the parents often has a history of anxiety themselves and you should share this with your teen.
- Help develop confidence and skills by building on the things they are good at (anxious teenagers are very good at focusing on the things they are not good at)
- Make sure they get enough sleep. Limit screen time late at night. Let them sleep in if they need to.
- Provide consistency. Encourage them to participate in activities which give them a stable sense of connection and belonging throughout their teens – even if sometimes through entertainment/fictional characters.
- Professional help? If all else fails and your teen is really struggling with their anxiety, consider seeking professional help. A good therapist will provide a perspective that’s different to that of a parent and of course hopefully help your teen learn to manage their anxiety and feel less abnormal.
