Chronic anxiety can be especially challenging for teens who are grappling with the complexities of adolescence. If your teen is experiencing excessive or irrational anxiety that interferes with their daily life you should consider talking with a behavioral health expert. It’s important to get the right type of support and guidance to help manage symptoms of serious anxiety. 

Treatment for anxiety can come in many forms. Therapy is an effective treatment method for many teenagers. A licensed therapist can help your teen process their feelings and develop coping skills. However, therapy may not always address every symptom. If you are concerned that therapy alone isn’t working for your child, it’s a good idea to reevaluate your options. Anxiety medications can offer significant benefits when it comes to alleviating anxiety symptoms. By assessing your current situation and learning more about anxiety medications, you and your teen can make informed treatment decisions.

Signs that you should consider anxiety medication for your teen

• Persistent symptoms — While anxiety treatments don’t typically work overnight, you should see gradual improvement over time. Does your teen still show signs of anxiety, such as constant worry and restlessness, panic attacks, avoidance behaviors or physical reactions like sweating, trembling or difficulty breathing despite routine therapy sessions? If symptoms remain severe or even worsen, it could be a sign that you should consider a new treatment strategy. 

• Daily disruptions — Is your teen’s anxiety impacting their daily life? If so, it might be time to seek a more effective treatment strategy. Anxiety can have wide-reaching effects on a person’s routine. People experiencing anxiety often feel an intense fear of failure. This fear can be paralyzing, causing your teen to avoid social situations and new experiences. To help your teen engage with their daily responsibilities and activities, it is important to find an effective solution to their anxiety.

• Declining school performance — Are your teen’s grades going down? Anxiety can have a serious effect on academic performance. When someone is constantly anxious, they will likely have trouble concentrating on tasks like essays and exams. Your teen may also experience heightened anxiety in social settings, leading them to miss school frequently.

• Physical signs — Anxiety is not a strictly mental condition. People experiencing anxiety often exhibit physical symptoms, such as aches and pains. If your teen’s anxiety is not improving, they may continue to have physical complaints such as headaches and stomachaches. Muscle tension is also commonly associated with anxiety. To keep your child physically and mentally healthy, finding the right treatment is essential.

• Avoidant behaviors — Avoidant behaviors are often connected to anxiety. Avoidant behavior comes in many forms. For example, your teen may refuse to participate in social activities such as sports or family events. Activities they enjoyed in the past might start to exacerbate their anxiety. You may also notice your teen becoming increasingly reliant on you or other family members. Though teens are still adolescents, a sense of independence can be healthy. If your teen avoids doing even simple tasks on their own, it could be a sign that their anxiety is not improving.

Best anxiety medications for teens

When therapy alone is not sufficient, medication can be an effective part of your teen’s treatment plan. There are many different medications used to treat anxiety. However, not all medications will necessarily be effective for your child. Learning more about the main types of anxiety medications can help you get a better understanding about what a mental health professional might prescribe.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are one of the main kinds of medication used for anxiety. Commonly prescribed SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications work by preventing the brain from reabsorbing serotonin, which is an important neurotransmitter. Serotonin is key to many cognitive processes, including mood regulation. People with anxiety often have low serotonin levels, which can lead to mood shifts and other symptoms. By boosting serotonin levels, SSRIs can help reduce anxiety symptoms and improve quality of life.

Another kind of medication sometimes used to treat anxiety is serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These medications are similar to SSRIs, with some key differences. The main difference is that they also affect the brain’s levels of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter and hormone that helps regulate the body’s “fight-or-flight” response. In addition to reducing cognitive symptoms, SNRIs can also help with physical symptoms of anxiety, such as high blood pressure.

Are there any over-the-counter anxiety medications for teens?

Anxiety medications tend to be highly regulated. This means that they are not typically available as an over-the-counter treatment. If you think your teen may need medication for their anxiety, it is important to seek professional mental health treatment. After an assessment, your teen’s provider can prescribe the medication they think is best. The right solution is not always simply adding medication. Depending on your teen’s situation, their provider may recommend other treatment plan changes.

Help your teen get the right anxiety treatments with Embrace U

Embrace U offers effective treatment solutions for teen anxiety. If your child needs further support beyond their regular therapy sessions, our outpatient programs are designed specifically to benefit adolescents and teens to help them find a way forward. Our team is ready to provide the personalized, evidence-based care your teen needs.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.