Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful events, and can even help us focus and work hard on things like homework or studying for a test. But what happens when your anxiety starts taking control of your life? According to the National Institute of Mental Health 8% of teens ages 13-18 have a diagnosable anxiety disorder. That means that 92% of teenagers experience anxiety, but do not have an anxiety disorder. So what does anxiety look like and how do you know if you might have an anxiety disorder?
Common symptoms of anxiety
- Feeling nervous
- Feeling powerless
- Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
- Having an increased heart rate
- Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Feeling weak or tired
- Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
Know when it's time to talk to your doctor
- Feelings of anxiety that do not go away and get worse with time
- Symptoms of anxiety that last for at least six months
- Trouble sleeping because of the anxiety
- Not being able to function like you used to because of the anxiety
You can manage your anxiety, take the next step: 11 Ways To Combat Anxiety.