Understanding Anxiety in Teens
Anxiety is a normal part of adolescence, but when feelings of worry, fear, or panic become overwhelming and interfere with daily life, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder. At SunCloud Health, we provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment to help teens manage anxiety and regain a sense of balance.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety in Teens
Assessing anxiety in an adolescent or teen can be challenging, especially if they are trying to mask or downplay these feelings. However, below is a list of common signs and symptoms that may indicate that a teen is suffering from anxiety. If you think your teen is struggling, getting help early on can have lasting positive benefits.
Signs of anxiety in teens include:
- Excessive worry or fear about everyday situations
- Avoidance of social activities or school
- Restlessness, irritability, or difficulty concentrating
- Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares
- Physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, or muscle tension
Our Approach to Treating Teen Anxiety
At SunCloud Health, we offer a comprehensive, individualized approach to anxiety treatment. Our programs focus on addressing the root causes of anxiety while providing teens with the skills they need to cope effectively now and in the future.
Part of this involves a community approach, creating a recovery-focused peer community and therapeutic environment. To build on this, we also invite family members to dedicated support groups and host family therapy sessions. This creates a strong support network for our patients and their families to turn to.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Every teen is unique, and so is their anxiety. We create customized treatment plans that may include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps teens reframe negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping strategies.
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): A specialized form of therapy designed to help teens gradually face their fears while resisting compulsive behaviors, particularly effective for anxiety disorders like OCD.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Teaches emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance.
- Exposure Therapy: Gradual, supportive exposure to feared situations to reduce avoidance and anxiety.
- Family Therapy: Supports the entire family in understanding and managing anxiety together.
Holistic and Integrated Care
We believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. Our program offerings allow our patients to explore their interests and passions while building healthy habits and strong coping skills. Additional treatment options include:
- Mindfulness and relaxation techniques
- Art and music therapy
- Physical activity and movement-based therapy
- Nutritional and sleep support
Levels of Care
We offer two levels of care to meet teens where they are in their healing journey:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): PHP runs 5 days a week, dedicating 6 hours each day to holistic treatment. This approach ensures that teens receive intensive care, guidance, and support as they navigate their path to recovery.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): IOP is designed for those who need structured therapy but can maintain their daily activities, offering treatment 3-5 days a week for 3 hours each session. This program strikes a balance between therapeutic intervention and allowing adolescents to engage in their regular routines.
Support Beyond Treatment
Recovery doesn’t end when treatment does. We provide ongoing support through aftercare planning, peer support groups, and family involvement to ensure lasting success. Our team will also work to communicate with the teen’s school 1-2 times each week. The aim is to make returning to school as smooth as possible while ensuring that we are available to provide support and additional resources where needed. We are mindful to protect specific details of the teen’s work here at SunCloud to ensure our space remains confidential and safe.
SunCloud is Here to Help
If anxiety is interfering with your teen’s life, we are here to help. Contact SunCloud Health today to learn more about our anxiety treatment programs and how we can support your family.
From admit to discharge, we see an aggregate improvement in our adolescents as measured by the PHQ-9. Lower scores reflect an improvement.
