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Facing source of anxiety can help banish fears

By Justin McIntosh
The Marietta Times
jmcintosh@mariettatimes.com

Adults often look back at their teen years as “the good old days,” but life as a teen-ager can also be filled with a lot of anxiety.

Anxiety can rear its head in many ways, but there are two main factors which contribute to anxiety in a teen’s life — environmental and dispositional.

Some teens, because of their disposition, are more likely to react to certain situations with anxiety, said Kathryn Bobbitt, clinical psychologist with Marietta Health Care Physicians Inc.

“Typically, that teen will have very high standards, (is) highly self-critical and rather a perfectionist,” Bobbitt said.

The majority of teens, however, experience anxiety because of environmental factors, most of which involve the continual changes teen-agers experience as they enter adulthood.

These can include relationships becoming more serious, a struggle to become more independent as a person and the pressure to succeed at school and in sports.

“It’s a time in their lives where there are a lot of things to be anxious about,” said Dave Zlatkind, guidance counselor at Warren High School.

“For eighth-graders coming into high school, it’s an anxiety-ridden time.”

Kelly Gray, 15, a sophomore at Marietta High School, said last year at this time the thought of going to high school and having to make new friends was particularly stressful.

But it was her participation last year in the school’s show choir and having to balance homework and other activities that was the hardest on her.

“It’s really stressful balancing,” Gray said. “There’s not enough time.”
But not only can anxiety be mentally challenging, it can also be physically demanding and incredibly limiting, Bobbitt said.

“One of the first symptoms is avoidance. Anxiety is such a terribly uncomfortable feeling,” Bobbitt said. “It can be terribly limiting if their solution is to avoid situations like parties or school events.”

The other common symptom is to have a lot of complaints of physical problems. Bobbitt said some teens may complain of shortness of breath, a racing heart or upset stomach when feeling anxious.

Last school year, Zlatkind helped a student who had test anxiety.

He found the student was having trouble staying relaxed before a test, and it prevented her from scoring well.

“I used a technique called biofeedback, where people who are anxious with something tend to lose control with breathing,” Zlatkind said. “If you control your breathing it will slow your heart rate.”

Zlatkind said after some work, the student was able to stay relaxed during her tests and did much better.

For Kasey Gray, 17, a senior at Marietta High (Kelly’s brother), just having fun and playing soccer helps him relax.

“I try to have as much fun as I can,” Kasey Gray said.
Other good coping methods, Bobbitt said, include physical activity, positive self-encouragement and the art of distraction.

In addition, Zlatkind and Bobbitt both agreed it can be especially helpful for teens to find someone safe they can talk to when they are feeling anxious.

Sometimes, though, the best way to cope with anxiety is to take small steps to face your anxiety.

“I think the only way to really reduce anxiety is to, at some point, actually perform. You can’t live in the real world and avoid stressful situations.” Zlatkind said. “You have to learn to deal with them.”

Bobbitt agreed.

“Stress is a part of life, and challenges are a part of life. One of the most important things to teach children is to be confident enough to take on challenges,” Bobbitt said.