The Rise of Anxiety in Teens and How to Help Them

Anxiety is on the rise among teens and members of the Jewish community are concerned, including Dan Arnold, director of clinical services at Jewish Family & Career Services. About 31 percent of 13- to 18-year-olds have an anxiety disorder, nearly 8 percent with a severe anxiety disorder, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates.

Arnold explains that the factors contributing to this rise are numerous and complicated, including academic and social stress and increased societal awareness thanks to technology.

Although anxiety takes many forms, among the signs are difficulty sleeping, changes in diet, trouble focusing and irritability.

Arnold said that parents should provide their teens with coping techniques to help them learn to manage stress and model those practices in their own lives.

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