“High-functioning” does not mean “low-anxiety.” If your teen seems to have it all together, they might still be silently struggling with the pressure to be perfect.
The difference between healthy stress and problematic anxiety comes down to interference: Is the worry helping them prepare, or is it stopping them from doing things they care about?
3 Tips for checking in with your teen today:
- Keep it Casual: Don’t wait for a “big ” Start a conversation in the car or while walking the dog. Keep it short and low-pressure.
- Reflect Without Reassuring: Use phrases like, “I know this feels uncomfortable, but I believe you can handle the feeling until it passes”.
- Listen Without Fixing: When they open up, resist the urge to provide immediate solutions. Just listening can be the most powerful way to validate their experience.
The goal as parents shouldn’t be to make their lives anxiety-free, but to help them develop the confidence to manage their stress and keep moving forward.
Shelby Kallus is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Bellaire Family Counseling in Bellaire, TX. She specializes in anxiety and depression in high-achieving children and teens, using CBT-based approaches to help kids build real strategies for managing stress, not just pushing through it. If you’d like to ork ith Shelby, you can call (713) 300-8951 or email info@bellairefamilycounseling.com. You can also schedule a consultation at a time that is convenient for you.
You might also find these helpful:
When Achievement Hides the Problem: Recognizing Anxiety in High-Achieving Kids and Teens
Executive Functioning, Anxiety, ADHD, or Perfectionism? Understanding What’s Happening With Your Child