March 27th, 2025
According to The Child Mind Institute and The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorder among adolescents, ages 13-18, and a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder among younger children ages 2-12.
Anxiety in teens has become an increasingly common issue seen by many mental health professionals who work in schools.
Anxiety disorders can affect adolescents from all socioeconomic backgrounds, inhibiting academic achievement, social development, and emotional development.
Anxiety can manifest in many ways, making it easy to be overlooked as the root cause of a teen's struggles, especially in a school setting. Keep reading to learn the top signs you should watch for to help identity anxiety in teens (in a school setting). Let’s get started!
Anxiety in students can often manifest as behavioral outbursts—from temper tantrums to defiant behavior— masking the underlying distress. In severe cases, when the fight-or-flight response is triggered by overwhelming anger, a student may even react with physical aggression toward peers or teachers.
The excessive fear and worry caused by anxiety can cause children to become distracted and unable to focus on tasks during school. Often recognized as ADHD, students with anxiety may frequently be distracted in the classroom or constantly out of their seat, unable to sit still.
Anxiety can often drive students to feel like they need excessive control over their environment—or conversely, to feel completely out of control and overwhelmed. This can manifest as emotional outbursts or being unable to handle typical events such as losing a game, getting a bad grade on a test, or adjusting to schedule changes.
The excessive fear and worry caused by anxiety can interfere with a student’s ability to concentrate in school and do well on academic work, causing low academic performance on assignments and tests. Pressure to achieve or excessive fear of failing may also cause low grades and test scores.
Physical illness could be another sign to look for. Anxiety in students can often manifest through physical symptoms, with frequent complaints of stomach aches, headaches, chest pain, or unexplained bodily ailments serving as potential warning signs.
Students with anxiety may have difficulty participating in class, completing group work with peers, and making friends. Students with anxiety may appear extremely shy, and have a fear of being judged or making a mistake if they participate socially.
A child’s education is important, and can be greatly inhibited by anxiety disorders. The good news is anxiety is highly treatable, and children and adolescents can make great improvements with the right support.
The best approach to addressing a child’s anxiety disorder is a collaborative approach between parents, medical professionals, and school staff. In school, social workers and counselors can work with students individually, and also in small groups to teach coping strategies, ways to recognize and decrease anxiety, and facilitate positive peer interaction.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an effective technique used by mental health professionals in schools to help students analyze their thoughts. Teachers can accommodate students who suffer from anxiety disorders in the classroom by giving students built-in breaks in the schedule, test accommodations such as the option to take a test in a quiet room or extra time.
If you suspect your teen is struggling with anxiety, seeking professional support can be one of the most impactful decisions you make for their well-being. While some anxiety is a normal part of adolescence, persistent or overwhelming worry can interfere with school, relationships, and self-esteem—and early intervention can make all the difference.
Teens often hesitate to open up to parents or friends. A therapist offers a judgment-free zone where they can process emotions and build coping skills. At Clarity Clinic, we proudly offer the best anxiety therapists to help your child heal. Anxiety is highly treatable—and with the right guidance, your teen can thrive. If their worries are frequent, intense, or disruptive, don’t wait to seek help.
If you think your teen has anxiety, have them take our free online anxiety test! This quick and simple test will give you more insight on your teen’s mental health and guide you to the next best steps. Whether you need an anxiety therapist in Chicago or a more intensive form of care such as IOP Therapy or PHP for adolescents, Clarity Clinic can help!
Free Anxiety TestWhen anxiety becomes overwhelming—disrupting daily life, school attendance, or emotional stability—outpatient programs like Partial Hospitalization Program (Adolescent PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (Adolescent IOP) can provide structured support without hospitalization.
These programs bridge the gap between traditional therapy and inpatient care, offering teens intensive help while allowing them to live at home and complete their school work!
An Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program is for teens who need daily, full-day therapeutic support. It included therapy groups, individual counseling, psychiatric care, and skill-building that focuses on stabilizing crisis-level anxiety, preventing self-harm, and restoring daily functioning.
An Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program is for teens who need structured care but can manage evenings/weekends at home. It includes 3-5 days/week of group/individual therapy, coping strategies, and family sessions with a focus on reducing anxiety, overcoming avoidance behaviors, and rebuilding social skills.
Clarity Clinic offers the best Adolescent IOP programs and PHP programs in Illinois at our Evanston clinic. Our PHP and IOP treatment programs are for children ages 13-17 who are experiencing severe anxiety, depression, or mood disorders. Schedule a consultation to learn more about our Teen IOP and PHP programs today!
Request More PHP/IOP InformationRelated Readings:
What causes anxiety in teens?
Anxiety in teens is often caused by academic pressure, social stress, family issues, hormonal changes, trauma, over-scheduling, and genetics.
How common is anxiety in teens?
Anxiety is the most common psychiatric disorder among teens ages 13-18. Around 1 in 3 teens will experience anxiety.
What is the best treatment for anxiety?
The best treatment for anxiety typically combines therapy (such as CBT), medication (if needed), lifestyle changes (exercise, sleep, diet), and stress management (mindfulness, relaxation). A personalized approach works best, make sure to speak to a mental healthcare professional.
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