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Learn more about our exciting new summer programs for school and college transitions.
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Dear Parent,
Welcome to Anxiety Institute’s Newsletter: Anxiety Defined.
This month’s topic is generalized anxiety disorder.
If you have a teen or young adult with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), then you are familiar with the constant worry your child experiences about practically everything that happens or might happen to them. They may seek constant reassurance regarding past events and conversations, or fear consequences that, to an adult, seem unlikely or unwarranted.
Parents know the lost sleep, the irritability, and the exhaustion of both themselves and their teen or college-aged child as they seek to convince them that everything is really okay, and yet the child will never believe that things are really okay.
We hope the definitions and suggestions below will serve as a guide for parents who walk the fine line of uncertainty with their children.
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Types of Anxiety Defined
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
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Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of daily life. Teens or young adults with GAD often experience persistent anxiety that can interfere with their academic performance, social interactions, and overall quality of life.
Generalized anxiety disorder is often accompanied by trouble sleeping or concentrating, and persistent feelings of irritability, tension, restlessness, weakness, or exhaustion. GAD can mimic panic disorder, but while panic disorder is associated with recurring panic attacks, individuals with GAD describe their anxiety as being constantly present in their daily lives.
Watch our in-house expert, Stacey Dobrinsky, PhD, explain how to recognize the emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and how to treat it.
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Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is highly effective for treating GAD, more specifically exposure and response prevention (ERP). It helps teens understand their anxiety and develop coping strategies. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help manage symptoms.
ERP involves the gradual exposure and habituation to triggering anxiety inducing events (a feared object, situation, or place) to help people learn new ways of coping with their anxiety. It is called “response prevention” because the goal is to modify the habitual unhelpful response/thoughts and replace them with healthier behaviors and thoughts.
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Insight from
a Professional
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Here are ways to model and support healthy self-care practices for your child:
Adequate sleep
Children and teens who don’t sleep enough may have mood swings, feel sad, depressed, or lack motivation. Problems concentrating may lead to lower grades and feelings of stress.
Healthy nutrition and exercise
Evidence shows a significant relationship between a good-quality diet and better mental health in adolescents. Exercise releases stress-busting endorphins and lowers stress hormones which lowers the risk of depression.
Technology breaks
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Family Media Use Plan can help adolescents, young adults, and families develop a personalized plan that will support reasonable, healthy, age-appropriate screen time.
Consider helping your child use the Anxiety Institute ‘Practice Exercises’ found in this guide to respond to their anxiety.
For the Teen or Young Adult:
Can’t stop thinking? Can’t stop worrying about what happened earlier and what will happen next? That's called rumination. This ten-minute video on overthinking can help give you a few minutes of peace.
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Further Reading
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Here is an excellent review of generalized anxiety disorder from the Mayo Clinic.
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Here are resources for GAD, including webinars and articles, by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
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For a more complete list of symptoms and behaviors, see the Anxiety Institute GAD webpage.
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A Note from our Director
Teens with GAD can experience persistent anxiety that can interfere with their academic performance, social interactions, and overall quality of life. Though we wish it would, frequent reassurance does not alleviate the issue and may even complicate it further. However, while parental support is vital, professional help using therapy tailored to GAD can provide additional tools to manage anxiety.
Remember, dealing with anxiety is a journey that requires patience and persistence. By staying informed and supportive, you can help your teen navigate their anxiety and lead a fulfilling life.
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Dina
Nunziato, PhD
Chief Clinical Officer
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Summer Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Back-to-School Transition Programs! | |
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Anxiety Institute offers summer programs designed for teens facing heightened anxiety, avoidance, and physical symptoms during exams or school transitions. If your child struggles with these issues, our summer programs can provide the support they need.
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Summer IOP
Our program provides customized, comprehensive care for teens and young adults ages 13–25 who are dealing with OCD and anxiety. It features a structured yet flexible approach, utilizing expert CBT and daily exposure therapy, ensuring more individualized attention than any other Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
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August Back-to-School Transition Programs
Ten-Day Programs: August 12th - 23rd - 4 hours a day
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Our Back-to-School Intensive Programs provide targeted support for students ages 12-21 struggling with anxiety and avoidance. These two programs equip students with essential tools to handle academic pressures and social challenges, ensuring they return to school prepared and confident.
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School Transition Program, for middle/high school students.
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College Readiness Program, for college-bound students aged 17–21.
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Both programs are now open for enrollment.
Contact us today at (844) 881-1846 or visit www.anxietyinstitute.com to learn more and secure your spot.
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For clinical questions or referrals,
please contact our Clinical Outreach Specialists:
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Anxiety Institute is a clinical research center specializing in acute anxiety disorders that uses advanced, proven techniques while nurturing the patient in their local home environment. Utilizing the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatments, our intensive services focus on treating teens and young adults, while coaching the parents who guide them. Locations in Madison, NJ; Greenwich, CT; and McLean, VA.
anxietyinstitute.com
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