When we think about our current culture, we can start to better understand why more teens in Naperville (IL) may struggle with anxiety, stress and depression.
As we move further into the age of social media, many teens become more aware of the American focus on success and attention. Individuals who appear to reach great popularity are celebrated and rewarded. We now even have "influencers," people who can sway and impress others – including their buying decisions – because of their public charisma and relationship with an audience.
While having and pursuing goals is desirable for teenagers, it can also lead to potential problems with self-esteem and perfectionism if not properly moderated and perceived. Most of us, including our teens, can find fulfillment in focusing on the journey rather than the destination – a path filled with trial and error and certainly imperfection.
Teens find themselves in perhaps the most vulnerable region of the path to maturity. They are no longer children, but they are also not yet adults. Many are still discovering who they really are and understanding who they will fully become.
Beyond feeling intense pressures to compete, succeed and be perfect, a Naperville teen might be contending with other stressors and personal factors such as bodily changes, bullying, abuse or financial issues at home, or an addiction to screens or substances.
Empowered Life Therapy supports Naperville teenagers who may be battling stress, anxiety or depression. We offer Naperville teens a private, compassionate, non-judgmental space for expressing and exploring their feelings as they gain the personal tools to heal and grow in their own way and in their own time.
Naperville teens were revealing their contention with stress even before the pandemic. In one survey of nearly 4,700 students, 70% of Naperville seventh-graders and almost 80% of Naperville sophomores identified being stressed.
About 50% of both groups also admitted to having difficulty with daily tasks because of their anxiety and inability to concentrate. The same percentage confessed they were not addressing their struggles. They further identified school, competition and peers as the main sources of their stress.
Empowered Life Therapy helps Naperville teenagers develop the skills to recognize and manage stress in healthy and constructive ways. Working one-on-one with your teen, we provide them the safe, open space for recognizing and discussing their stress triggers. As their awareness increases, they learn to observe and practice self-compassion and self-trust, as well as tap into their inner wisdom.
Over time, your youth can become increasingly calm and resilient in moving through the teenage years toward a future with hope, balance and purpose.
Whether real or perceived, constant worry and stress can have a major impact on the young, developing mind, even to the point of rewiring neural circuitry. They also can develop into chronic anxiety, which can evolve into debilitating panic attacks and depression.
Symptoms of anxiety among Naperville teenagers might include:
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The inspiring truth is that anxiety can be treated and overcome with support focused on your specific teen. At Empowered Life Therapy, we give your Naperville teenager the care and attention they need for working through their anxiety. We also adapt to their personality and circumstances in offering the tools and frameworks for greater socio-emotional learning and psychological well-being.
Depression in Oswego teens can range from mild to severe. On the milder side, it might be the consequence of a current difficulty in the teen’s life, such as a family divorce, the loss of a loved one or a broken relationship. On the severe side, depression can become a chronic condition that if left untreated can result in self-destruction or even suicide.
According to Mental Health America’s key findings for 2023.
1 in 10 youths aged 12 to 17 experience depression that severely impairs function
About 16.4% have experienced at least one major depressive episode in the last year
11.5% are living with severe major depression
59.8% with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment.
If you begin to recognize depression symptoms in your teenager such as anger, irritability, withdrawal, a lack of interest or energy, substance abuse or excessive screen time, you can be a great asset by expressing your love and concern and your desire to help them find meaningful support.
Empowered Life Therapy helps Naperville youths through their teenage depression. Together with your teen, we listen and learn as they find the comfort to share their thoughts and feelings. As your teen better understands their depression, they can become more self-compassionate through mindfulness, self-kindness and a deeper understanding of their humanity.
Your teenager can also develop the skills for strengthening their resilience in the face of life's obstacles while maintaining a healthy, positive outlook on the future as well.
At Empowered Life Therapy, we understand what Naperville teenagers can often wrestle with. We also recognize that your teen is a unique individual with a lot to look forward to, and sometimes all they need is someone with the training and experience to help them through a certain phase of their life.
To find out more about our counseling and therapy for teenage stress, anxiety and depression in Naperville (IL), call us today at (630) 842-6585 or visit us at empoweredlifetherapy.org.
