Anxiety triggers are things that can make people feel anxious, such as having too much to do and facing large crowds. They can happen more often during puberty in teens and can be connected to different situations. While sources of their anxiety vary, identifying these triggers is important.
The Anxiety Triggers for Teens worksheet allows teenagers to increase their self-awareness by identifying the things that worry them. It lists over 30 anxiety triggers for them to rate from 1 to 10 based on how much each trigger bothers them. They can also write down additional triggers not found in the worksheet and note the coping skills they use in the spaces provided below.
By using the worksheet, teens can find ways to handle stress healthily and stop aiming for perfection or fearing they won't do well. For instance, if a teen is worried about academic expectations, they can use this awareness to come up with practical strategies like setting doable goals or getting support.
To better manage their anxiety, teens can utilize the Anxiety Self-Care Checklist worksheet, which guides them through self-care activities without overwhelming them. After a stressful situation, they can check off activities like deep breathing exercises, physical activity, and talking to a trusted friend or family member.
*This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed.
Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of anxiety worksheets and handouts.
References:
- Garland, E. J. (2001). Rages and refusals: Managing the many faces of adolescent anxiety. Canadian Family Physician, 47(5), 1023-1030.
- Silk, J. S., Davis, S., McMakin, D. L., Dahl, R. E., & Forbes, E. E. (2012). Why do anxious children become depressed teenagers? The role of social evaluative threat and reward processing. Psychological Medicine, 42(10), 2095-2107. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291712000207
- Simpson, K., Adams, D., Wheeley, E., & Keen, D. (2019). Parent perspectives on the presentation, triggers, impact, and support of anxiety in young children on the autism spectrum. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29(2), 572-582. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01576-5
