Being a Teen is a challenging time.

The last thing you want to throw into the mix is anxiety! A healthy dose of anxiety could be wanting to get homework in on time the problem occurs when anxiety tips over into affecting everyday life.

Physically your teen might be feel their heart racing, sweaty palms, a feeling they can't breathe and an overwhelming urge to leave a place or situation.

Emotionally your teen may feel scared of attending certain places, being with certain people and may start to avoid certain situations, this might manifest itself with tearfulness, anger or OCD and they may feel they are going mad.

If your teen is suffering from anxiety a very gentle and supportive approach is essential from parents and family members. Advice like 'you will have to snap out of it' or 'why are you acting like this you're young you have the world at your feet' will not be at all helpful - in fact they will make your child feel more isolated and exacerbate these feelings.

My advice is to listen, listen and listen again. The car is a great place to talk as you are busy driving and the focus isn't completely on your child. Your teen may find it hard to articulate the exact way they are feeling, and may just present as having many worries.

Talk to them about how they would like to feel and discuss how they might achieve this. Get all the support you can for your child from school and your GP.

See: www.parentandbabycoach.co.uk

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