Why are Teens Prone to Anxiety?

Anxiety is an emotion many of us feel at some point in our lives. But for some of us, it can come about for seemingly no reason and last for days, weeks, months, or years. When anxiety is this bad, it may be diagnosed as a disorder. An anxiety disorder can develop at any point in a person’s life, and it’s not uncommon for the first signs to manifest during adolescence. Teens are often in a position where they begin dealing with life’s stressors, and they may not be used to dealing with them. They may become nervous and tense as a result. This article will answer the question, why are teens prone to anxiety and provide suggestions on what you can do if your teen is stressed out.

What are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are characterized by prolonged feelings of anxiety that are difficult to control. There are many types of anxiety disorders, including:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by extended periods of worry and tension. These emotions may be felt even when there is little or nothing to provoke them.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves a person engaging in unhealthy behavior as a way to deal with their anxiety over a specific issue.

Panic Disorder is an anxiety disorder that involves episodes of intense fear with symptoms including racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, and digestive issues.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is caused by a traumatic event that happened at some point in a person’s life. The person will have nightmares or flashbacks reminding them of the incident.

Social Phobia is anxiety caused by social situations.

What Causes Anxiety?

Anxiety can be caused by a variety of factors, including the following:

  • Genetics: Anxiety is often caused by a chemical imbalance that can be inherited from a close relative.
  • Environment: If you were raised or live in an abusive environment, you might develop an anxiety disorder at some point in your life.
  • Personality: Some people have personalities that make them susceptible to anxiety. If they can’t get a grasp on their emotions, it can turn into a disorder.

Why are Teens Prone to Anxiety?

Teens are especially susceptible to anxiety. Teen anxiety can arise because they are dealing with peer pressure, pressure to do well in school, and other factors. They are just coming into adulthood, and they are not used to the adult stresses that are now falling into their laps.

How Does Anxiety Impact Teens?

Anxiety can impact teens in several ways. It can change their eating habits, their sleep habits, and their social habits. It can cause them to be irritable or withdrawn. It can produce sudden mood swings and get in the way of their ability to cope with everyday tasks.

It’s also not unusual for teens to turn to drugs as a way to deal with their anxiety. They may be offered drugs by their friends and find that they help calm them down. If they don’t feel comfortable talking to an adult about their feelings, they may continue using the drug to treat their symptoms. This can turn into a lifelong cycle of addiction.

How to Find Teen Anxiety Treatment in South Florida

If your child is showing symptoms of teen anxiety, it’s important to get help sooner rather than later. If you allow it to get out of control, it can get worse and be more difficult to treat.

There are several facilities that offer anxiety treatment, but if you are looking for one that specializes in teen anxiety in South Florida, the Adolescent Wellness Academy may be your best choice.

AWA has extensive experience dealing with mental health issues and substance abuse in teens. We offer an experienced staff that specializes in working with adolescents. We are familiar with their mindsets, and we have developed the best methods for communication and healing.

The therapy comes in the form of an afterschool program. We offer transport to and from our facility. We will provide your teen with the tools they need to deal with anxiety now and as they grow.

Teen Mental Health Treatment in South Florida – AWA

At Adolescent Wellness Academy, a teen mental health treatment center located in South Florida, we understand the complexities and challenges of guiding our loved ones, especially adolescents, towards recovery from mental health challenges. 

Recognizing the delicate nature of this journey, we are committed to offering compassionate, specialized care even in situations where individuals may be hesitant to seek help.

We are dedicated to providing a supportive environment that fosters healing and growth through our tailored programs:

  • Day Therapeutic Program: A structured daytime treatment offering therapeutic support and education that integrates seamlessly with the adolescent’s daily life.
  • After-School Program: An innovative approach that provides therapeutic activities and supports post-school hours, allowing teens to continue their education while receiving the care they need.

When you join our therapy or afterschool programs, you enter a caring and non-judgmental community. This support network involves teens, their families, peers, and our team.

Our team of clinicians, alumni, and other parents are here to offer invaluable assistance. Parent Support Groups (PSG) and assessments ensure that the support is tailored to each family’s needs. Contact us today for more information about teen mental health at 1-866-548-8677 or visit our locations in Miami-Dade and Broward.

About the Author

Founder

Discover how our judgment-free, evidence-based care can support your teen mental health and your family

Request a call back and our admissions team will get in touch with you to answer all your questions.

We will support you in finding the right treatment for your teen – even if it is not ours.

We are here to help 24/7.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Note we are not a crisis hotline, in case of emergency, please call 911 

Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia – Clinical Director (Davie)

Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia’s therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, resilience-building, and collaboration. As the Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she is dedicated to supporting high-risk teens in navigating trauma, emotional distress, and life’s challenges with a holistic and trauma-informed lens. Dr. Mejia specializes in working with adolescents facing issues such as suicide risk, self-harm, anxiety, depression, and family conflict, utilizing techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and strength-based therapy. With extensive experience in community mental health, private practice, and clinical supervision, Dr. Mejia has a proven track record of empowering teens to overcome obstacles and thrive. She holds a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy bringing a depth of knowledge and compassion to her leadership role.

Kimberly Geller

Kimberly Geller - Primary Therapist (Davie)

Kimberly is a compassionate and dedicated therapist with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida International University. Kimberly creates a nurturing and secure environment where clients can freely explore their emotions and embark on their journey toward healing and growth. Kimberly specializes in client-centered approaches that helps tailor her therapeutic methods to meet unique needs and goals. By fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship, she empowers clients to develop effective coping skills and achieve meaningful progress in their mental health journey. Kimberly ensures that each person she works with feels understood and valued throughout their therapeutic process.

Zainub Fatta - Therapist (Davie)

Zainub holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University and has extensive experience treating a wide range of mental health issues in adults, teens, and children. She specializes in treating diverse mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, social anxiety, anger management, etc. She also has a lot of experience treating addiction and substance abuse problems within various treatment centers. Zainub views mental health from a systemic perspective, emphasizing the significance of how one’s environment and childhood impacts them, which is why she also specializes in family therapy and couples therapy, when it comes to achieving holistic well-being. Passionate about empowering individuals to find their voice, she considers it a privilege to listen to their vulnerable stories and provide the support they need. Her therapeutic approach focuses on uplifting clients by building their confidence and challenging them to break old, negative patterns of thinking and behavior.

Krystine Garay

Krystine Garay – Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Krystine Garay is a licensed mental health counselor, marriage family therapist, and certified telehealth practitioner. Raised in Miami, Florida, and a member of the Hispanic community, she provides services in both English and Spanish. With five years of experience, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults, focusing on domestic violence, substance abuse, family conflicts, co-occurring disorders, and mental health issues.
Krystine holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University and a master’s degree with dual specializations in mental health and marriage and family counseling from Barry University. She is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology with a concentration in health psychology from Carlos Albizu University.
Her clinical experience includes rotations at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, where she assisted children with co-occurring disorders using mindfulness exercises, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and dialectical-behavioral techniques.
Krystine believes in the power of personal growth and progress, and she is dedicated to fostering positive change in her clients’ lives.

Dr. Jacqueline Pablos – Clinical Director

Vulnerability and connection are at the heart of Dr. Pablos’ therapeutic approach. As the
Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she aims to create a safe space for
clients to embrace their emotions and express their needs in healthier ways. Dr. Pablos
specializes in treating depression, anxiety, body image issues, bullying, eating
disorders, and self-harm behaviors using techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and
ACT.
With extensive training in hospitals and counseling centers, Dr. Pablos has a strong
background in helping teens and adults with co-occurring mental and physical health
disorders. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology, with specialized training
at institutions like Florida International University, Jackson Memorial Hospital,
Clementine Monte Nido, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Kimberly

Kimberly Carlesi – Therapist (Miami)

Kimberly, a dedicated therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling from Florida International University, specializes in supporting individuals
with eating disorders, trauma, and substance abuse. She creates a safe, nurturing
environment for her clients’ healing journeys, drawing from diverse therapeutic
modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. With a
focus on trust and collaboration, Kimberly empowers clients through personalized
interventions, fostering self-awareness and resilience.

Alyssa Mencucci – Therapist (Miami)

Alyssa is a dedicated master’s level clinician specializing in providing compassionate
therapy for adolescents and children facing severe mental health challenges. With a
deep understanding of the developmental stages and psychological needs of
adolescents and children, Alyssa offers expertise in addressing trauma-related issues,
guiding individuals through the complexities of grief, managing anxiety and depression,
navigating personality disorders, and supporting those dealing with PTSD. Alyssa uses
evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, DBT, play therapy,
and trauma-focused interventions to create a safe and nurturing environment for
healing. Alyssa believes in a client-centered approach, tailoring therapy to meet the
unique needs and circumstances of each individual. She creates a safe and nurturing
environment where adolescents and children can explore their emotions, develop
coping skills, and embark on a journey of healing and growth.