The Big Event "It's Okay to not be Okay"

ANXIETY, TEENS, AND WHAT TO DO? BROOKWOOD BAPTIST

INCREASE IN TEEN SYMPTOMS

200 % increase in self harm

176% increase in teen suicide

Crippling social anxiety

Body dysmorphia

Porn addiction

depression

WHAT ARE THEY AFRAID OF?

Relationships failing Failing grades Disappointing people Getting into college Managing social events Who will ask me to prom What is happening to my body

Their worth and value comes from their performance, ability, or good works

WHAT IS THE WORLD TEACHING THEM?

That they are not enough without xyz That sex is not a big deal That they are the center or the universe That they need to live their truth

WHAT DO WE TEACH THEM IS A SUCCESSFUL LIFE? • Make good grades • Get into a good school • Make good grades again • Get into another good school • Get a good job that will make you money • Buy a house, have two kids, and a dog

NORMAL WORRY VS DISORDER

• Avoidance • Interference • Distress

TOP 5 ANXIETY DIAGNOSIS IN TEENS

Generalized Anxiety

Social Anxiety

Panic Disorder

Specific Phobias

Separation Anxiety

WHAT ANXIETY LOOKS LIKE AT SCHOOL AND HOME • Wanting to miss school regularly • Going to the nurse often • Avoiding major social activities • Excessive worrying about failure • Jittery, shaky, high strung, unable to relax • Cannot tolerate uncertainty

• Always expecting the worst

CONTINUED

• Excessive worrying about hurting others feelings over their own • Anxious questioning • Perfectionism

SIGNS OF ANXIETY IN YOUR TEEN

Rapid heart rate

Rapid breathing

Feeling very hot or cold

Shortness of breath

Sweating

Discomfort or pain in stomach

Trembling or shaking

Numbness or tingling Headaches Dizziness or lightheaded Lump in the throat Feeling detached or that things are unreal

MORE SIGNS

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF TOXIC STRESS • Sleep problems • Loss of appetite • Chronic fatigue • Suppressed immune symptoms • Rashes • Frequent colds • Continual headaches

NOW I KNOW, WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

WHAT TO DO TO HELP?

Be sensitive

Listen and understand

Be consistent

Talk to the right brain

Give positive feedback about their efforts to face fears and be out of their comfort zone

• Coregulation • Connection ANTIDOTES TO ANXIETY

• Affirmation • Affection • Attention

DON’T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN

WHAT ARE SOME STEPS • Connect • Validate • Empathize • Speak Truth • Offer support • Plan of action

ANTI FRAGILITY

• Truth and Grace

1. OPEN UP AND BUILD BRIDGES

Use stories and situations you have observed to ask questions and learn about your teens fears Use biblical stories as examples of how it is normal to be afraid, but what God can do to help

Anxiety is normal and common

2. EDUCATE YOUR TEEN AND BE CONFIDENT

Anxiety doesn’t have to be dangerous Anxiety is a adaptive symptoms to a problem Anxiety is a problem when it’s a false alarm

3. TEACH THEM HOW IT WORKS (3 PARTS)

BELIEFS

THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS

BEHAVIORS

Therapy Community support Healthy adults and mentors Exercise Outdoors

TREATMENT OPTIONS

BIBLICAL OPTIONS • Find scriptures that combat the lies • Daily devotional specific to their issues • Write them notes and leave them around • Catch them doing good and encourage them in Christ • Play worship music often

Social media use Online access Sugar Staying up late Exposure to adult content Limits on game time and content Limits on screen time

THINGS TO AVOID TO DECREASE ANXIETY