Anxiety symptoms work like messengers, sending signals from the body and mind to make people notice subtle signs that they might be feeling worried or stressed. Teens might display anxiety symptoms differently than younger kids, showing more mood swings, difficulty sleeping, or extra irritability. However, both age groups have common signs like worrying a lot or feeling tense.
The Anxiety Symptoms in Teens Checklist is a helpful resource designed to increase awareness of a teenager's anxiety experience. It shows a list of common anxious thoughts and feelings and asks teens to check off the ones they can relate to. Once they’ve checked the boxes, they are instructed to write down three symptoms that have had the most impact on their lives.
By using the worksheet, teenagers can learn more about what makes them anxious and why, which helps them understand their feelings better and makes it easier for them to talk about what they're going through.
Teens can also set aside a few minutes each day for mindful breathing to increase calmness and lower anxiety. With the checklist, they can track changes in how they feel before and after the breathing exercises. For instance, before mindful breathing, they might feel tense and jittery, and after, they may experience a sense of calm and improved focus.
Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of anxiety worksheets and handouts.
References:
- Ajilchi, B., & Nejati, V. (2017). Executive functions in students with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 8(3), 223–232. https://doi.org/10.18869/nirp.bcn.8.3.223
- Noel, J. K., Lakhan, H. A., Sammartino, C. J., & Rosenthal, S. R. (2021). Depressive and anxiety symptoms in first generation college students. Journal of American College Health, 71(6), 1906-1915. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1950727
- Yadav, P., Chauhan, V., Bhat, P., Agarwal, N., Yadav, C., & Bhatia, S. (2017). Cross-sectional study of anxiety symptoms in students in preexamination period. Industrial Psychiatry Journal, 26(1), 56. https://doi.org/10.4103/ipj.ipj_40_17
