Anxiety-Ridden High Schoolers: Why Parents and Schools Are Part of the Problem

Rates of anxiety have been steadily increasing over the past few decades. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates that over 10 percent of teens ages 12-17 suffer from an anxiety disorder. Young people are noticing: 70 percent of teens see Anxiety and Depression as a “major problem” among their peers, more than bullying, drugs, alcohol, or poverty. 

So, why such high rates of anxiety? Most teens report that academic pressure is the leading cause, with 61% of young people feeling “a lot of pressure to get good grades.” This is more than double the rate of young people who feel pressured to “look good” or “fit in socially”.

Much of this pressure comes from the school environment and parents. With AP classes, SAT tests, college applications, and state standardized testing, there is no shortage of things for high schoolers to stress about. Many teens tie their self-worth to their grades, and parents who over-emphasize the importance of academic performance can contribute to this unhealthy phenomenon. Ironically, anxiety induced by academic pressure actually negatively impacts students’ school performance (not to mention the detrimental effects on their physical, social, and emotional functioning). At the end of the day, a healthy, low-stress student is a successful student!

So, if you’re checking your high schooler’s grades every night, urging them to study non-stop for the SAT, or frequently talking to them about how that one “B” should be an “A”, it might be time to consider the adverse effect you could be having on your child’s mental health. Check out these quick tips for how to help.

Wondering what anxiety looks like in youth? Look out for these common symptoms.

• Irritability
• Restlessness or difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Avoiding usual social interactions or extracurricular activities
• Negative changes in academic performance, often related to procrastination or missing assignments
• Frequent headaches or stomachaches
• Increased fear around certain people, places, or activities

 Think your teen may be suffering from anxiety? Here’s what you can do.

• Prioritize their health behaviors, like getting adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition. Research suggests that these factors can play as big a role in mental health as they do for physical health!
• Visit your primary care doctor. They can screen your child for anxiety and make treatment recommendations or referrals.
• Find a counselor, especially one who practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Research shows this is the best treatment for anxiety.
• Encourage your teen to engage in relaxation techniques such as yoga or mindfulness. There are even some great apps out there that teach relaxation techniques!
• Talk to them about how they’re feeling and if academics are the biggest stressor, remind them that grades are not everything. Find things to compliment your teen on besides their academic performance. Work together to establish a balanced set of priorities that keep your teen happy and healthy!