Seeds of Worry
Anxiety
Anxiety is a state characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and many physical changes. While it may be similar to fear, it is not the same, as anxiety can be defined by future-oriented and long-lasting responses that are enacted as a response to possible threats. Teenagers usually experience multiple forms of anxiety, mostly correlating to school-related subjects and situations like courses, work, and even test anxiety.
Symptoms
While anxiety symptoms vary per person and stress-response, many teens can often reflect similar symptoms. These include:
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Irritation/nervousness
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Restlessness
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Being on-edge
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Fatigues
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Difficulty concentrating
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Sleep problems
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Muscle tension
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Headaches
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Stomachaches
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Pain
Causes
There are several factors that contribute to the rise of anxiety in teenagers. In addition to genetics, brain chemistry, and life events, the following are significant causes that lead to severe anxiety:
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Currently, we are living in a world that promotes a culture of achievement. Teenagers feel pressure to succeed in ways previous generations did not. They set high expectations for themselves, which leads them to constant pressure to succeed.
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As the number of school shootings and lockdowns rise, teenagers begin to develop a fear of a world that feels scary and threatening. Watching or reading the news creates anxiety which makes it reasonable for anyone to feel afraid in public spaces where they would’ve previously felt safe.
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Today’s teenagers are constantly connected to social media. Therefore, their self-esteem becomes connected to responses, creating a comparison between their lives and social connections to what they see on social media.
Effects
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Decreased motivation: while some teenagers might experience anxiety in regard to academic performance, others might experience anxiety through motivation. As many become anxious, they might begin to procrastinate and decrease their productivity and work.
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Decreased academic performance: as anxiety blocks teens’ ability to think well, it is likely that their performance, both at school and at home, will decrease. As a response to stress, many take a hit in their academic performance; struggling to keep up with assignments and their classmates, and falling behind in their academic performance.
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Vulnerability to other issues: while anxiety might affect teenagers’ performance in many areas of their lives, it also makes them more vulnerable to their ability to maintain attention and stay focused. This can also lead to more anxiety, as teenagers feel pressured to keep up with appearances and continue to perform at the same level, possibly leading to other mental health issues like stress, depression, and even diagnosable disorders.
Correlation to Stress
Feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and pressured can lead teens to the next stage of the Bloom Cycle; stress. Anxiety is a reaction to stress. It can occur when people don’t think they can handle the challenges that are putting pressure on them. There is a certain lack of control that humans tolerate, but when it’s not managed, it makes us feel worried or afraid. The constant state of alertness caused by stress can keep the body’s nervous system on edge, making it difficult to relax and worsening anxiety.
