1 in 6 teens report anxiety symptoms and many go without help. What parents need to know
An estimated one in six teenagers in the United States have moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, according to a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics on Monday.
Nearly two-thirds of adolescents who reported severe anxiety symptoms also met criteria for severe depression, nearly half reported suicidal thoughts, and nearly one-third reported substance abuse, the study found.
Researchers at the University of Connecticut analyzed a subset of data from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health that included self-reported anxiety symptoms from more than 15,000 teenagers aged 12-20 years old.
This year is the first that anxiety questions were added to the national survey, giving public health officials a "new national baseline," according to Greg Rhee, Ph.D., and author of the study and professor in the department of public health sciences at the University of Connecticut.
"We will be able to track anxiety trends among adolescents over time, spot new disparities as they emerge, and measure whether efforts to improve access to treatment are working,” Rhee told ABC News.
Here’s what doctors say parents should know when talking to their teens.
When is it more than worry?
Doctors say nervousness and worry are both expected emotions that teenagers can commonly experience in response to stressful events of adolescence such as exams, adapting to new environments or forming friendships.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggest that it becomes anxiety when the thoughts or symptoms interfere with daily function.
Anxiety can look different across teenagers, but common symptoms include irritability, trouble concentrating, recurring fears and worries about everyday life, extreme self-consciousness, or sensitivity to criticism, withdrawal from daily life, or a drop in grades or school refusal, according to the Child Mind Institute.
Who is most at risk?
Female adolescents were nearly two times more likely than their male counterparts to report severe anxiety symptoms, according to the study.
Dr. Chanelle Ramsubick, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and assistant professor at SUNY Downstate Brooklyn Hospital, told ABC News that the study's findings on who is more at risk did not surprise her.
Ramsubick, who was not involved with the study, suggested that the way young girls are raised may play a role.
"Little girls are taught from a young age that being a certain way is going to get them a more positive interaction," she said. "So they learn to start performing, and this can be a seed for anxiety.”
Doctors have also previously suggested that social media may play a part, as excessive use has been linked in research to higher rates of anxiety and loneliness.
Why do teenagers go without treatment?
In the study, nearly half of those with severe anxiety symptoms said they had not sought care for their symptoms in the last year, the authors noted.
Ramsubick suggests one issue is that that many teenagers' symptoms may be missed.
“It is very hard to just look at a child and know they’re anxious," she said. "Many children don’t have the language to describe their internal world."
Male teenagers, Black teenagers, and uninsured teenagers were most likely to report not seeking care for their anxiety symptoms, according to the study.
Though the study did not assess the reasons why teenagers are going without help, Rhee told ABC News it is likely that many factors play a role.
"Stigma, a shortage of child mental health professionals, financial and insurance barriers, and limited access to culturally responsive services probably all play a role," he said.
How to talk to a teenager about anxiety
Helping a child cope with anxiety can be a daunting task for parents and caregivers, but doctors say it starts with modeling strong coping behavior as a parent and fostering a safe space for teens to express their feelings.
Other strategies include encouraging healthy sleeping habits, teaching coping habits such as deep breathing and muscle relaxation, and spending time together.
Ramsubick also emphasizes the importance of taking your child to the pediatrician every year for their well child check and discussing any concerns you have about their mental health with their doctor.
“Make sure they are testing your child using screeners, which can be very destigmatizing," she said. "This is just a routine thing that can make sure your kid is in a good place."
If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide – free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text the national lifeline at 988.
Dr. Sanyukta Deshmukh is a pediatric resident physician and member of the ABC News Medical Unit
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