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Anxiety in Adolescent Girls
Life as an adolescent girl can come along with many changes. Whether it be their changing bodies, friendships, romantic relationships, or families, this can provoke a lot of anxiety. Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical symptoms. The experiences of anxiety are different between boys and girls —research shows that anxiety levels are consistently higher for adolescent girls than adolescent boys. On top of that, girls and boys express their anxiety differently. Girls tend to internalize their anxiety, whereas boys tend to externalize. Because girls often “bottle-up their emotions” (internalize), their anxiety frequently goes unnoticed by other people. Anxiety levels can also be affected by which grade you are in and what role your parents play in your life. It is important to face your anxiety head on and talk to someone you trust to figure out the best solution.
Managing Your Symptoms of Anxiety
It is estimated that around 8% of teens have anxiety disorders, and only 18% are getting the treatment that they need. If you are unable to receive treatment, a few ways to manage anxiety is to eat balanced meals, exercise, get enough sleep, and talk to someone you trust. Addressing any symptoms or stressors will be important in managing your anxiety.
Anxiety impacts a person’s mental health, but it can also have physical side effects! The symptoms of anxiety include: fatigue, irritability, restlessness, muscle tension, and difficulty paying attention. Some other symptoms that you should be aware of are grades dropping, difficulty sleeping/sleep disturbances, worry, nausea, appetite change, sweaty palms, headaches, and fainting.
