Читать книгу Emotionally Naked - Anne Moss Rogers - Страница 32

Anxiety is the most common emotional problem in children. Youth can develop crippling worries about many things, from germs to vomiting to their parents dying. Some anxious kids are painfully shy, and avoid things that other kids enjoy. Some have tantrums and meltdowns, and others can develop elaborate rituals, like compulsive handwashing, aimed at diminishing the fear.²⁹ Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worry about multiple things that are strong enough to interfere with one's daily activities. Examples of other anxiety disorders include panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. The ongoing worry and tension of anxiety may be accompanied by physical symptoms, such as restlessness, feeling on edge or easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, or problems sleeping. In addition to genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events, teens can experience feelings of anxiety that are fueled by high expectations and pressure to succeed, a world that feels less safe than it used to, and digital media sites where teens tend to compare their life and social situations to what others are posting. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 1 in 3 adolescents ages 13 to 18 will experience an anxiety disorder. Between 2007 and 2012, anxiety disorders in children and teens went up 20%.³⁰ Some teens like the pressure and need it to meet deadlines. Others shut down or avoid situations that would otherwise help them learn to manage events that challenge them and build resilience.