According to The Anxiety and Depression Association in America, teen anxiety has become a serious issue, affecting roughly 25% of children between 13 and 18 years old. But what’s even worse is that nearly 80% of children with diagnosable anxiety disorder do not receive proper treatment.
To meet the increasing demand for therapeutic options, many residential treatment centers have adapted their intervention plans to include teen anxiety. By creating an environment where teens can both gain the skills to cope with life and address the emotional aspect of their issues, this approach can successfully help your child overcome anxiety.
Residential treatment: What is it?
Residential treatment represents a viable alternative to ‘traditional’ approaches which aims to promote mental health using a diverse set of therapeutic practices. By approaching health and well-being in a holistic and integrative manner, residential treatment centers provide the ideal climate for your teen to heal and grow.
In fact, a 2005 review highlight that children and adolescents with severe emotional and behaviour disorders can benefit and sustain positive outcomes from residential treatment that is multi-modal, holistic and ecological in its approach. But why exactly is residential treatment among the best options for teen anxiety?
Working with emotions
We know for a fact that the purpose of anxiety is to signal a potential threat or danger. Unfortunately, this alarm system can sometimes go off even in the absence of a real threat. And when that happens, it usually has something to do with the way we interpret danger. For example, if your teen perceives school as challenging, intimidating, and scary, he might end up feeling anxious. That, in turn, will result in poor academic performance, absenteeism, or even substance abuse.
Through individual and family therapy, residential treatment addresses the emotional core of the problem. By exploring the cause of their constant worries and learning healthy coping mechanism, teens can manage their anxiety. When there’s a behavioral problem, you can be quite sure there’s an emotional turmoil bubbling underneath the surface.
Gaining the confidence to face life’s hassles
Teens with anxiety are often concerned about the future and the challenges that life has in store for them. When you’re dealing with this problem at an age when you’re expected to take on more responsibility and risks, life can become pretty overwhelming. Part of dealing with teen anxiety is learning the skills necessary to cope with life and become a functional member of society. From assertive communication to problem-solving and conflict resolution, residential treatment focuses heavily on building valuable life skills.
Aside from that, most centers offer a wide variety of academic courses that help teens gain a solid education. This increases their chances to find a good job that will ensure economic stability and well-being. All these strategies and approaches are implemented for one fundamental purpose – to build self-confidence.
Once your child becomes aware of his inner potential and masters the right life skills, he will be able to manage anxiety. And that gives him the chance to enjoy new experiences, take calculated risks, and live a fulfilling life.
Overcoming teen anxiety through teamwork
When dealing with emotional or behavioral problems, social support can make a huge difference. The simple fact that we know we’re not the only ones dealing with anxiety generates a profound sense of relief. And it’s this insight your child needs to realize that he’s capable of overcoming teen anxiety.
By organizing various group activities and team sports, residential centers seek to create a community where members help and support each other. The best way to approach teen anxiety is by focusing on all the relevant aspects – personal, emotional, social, and professional. And that’s what residential treatment centers promise of offer.
To learn more about teen anxiety, click here.
