Hospital admissions for suicide attempts have doubled in the last decade, andTimesdescribes in-patient facilities for severely anxious teens.
So many kids are being judged on their achievement only.
Release them from school and family obligations?
Intervene with teachers and coaches when it all gets to be too much?
She tells parents toavoid avoidance.
Dont Do Too Much
Some parents do too much for their child, she says.
Theyll call the teacher instead of having the kid talk to them.
They wont ask their teen to do normal daily tasks.
Or theyll let the kid skip challenging tasks without making a plan for gradual progress.
For example, A child might not be able to do a presentation in class right now.
Short-term accommodations are necessary, but there has to be a plan for long-term growth.
If youre typing their paper for them, youre not really protecting them at all.
You dont want take over for your kidsit decreases their competence and confidence.
It should be some small, personal, ongoing challenge.
Offer to facilitate these small steps.
She suggests helping your kid write down what they have to do.
Get specific, and break each task down step by step.
Sometimes it is indeed overwhelming, she says.
If a teen is juggling sports and extracurriculars and homework, things can not onlyseemoverwhelming but actuallybeoverwhelming.
The wifi can go off from 11-7.
As for homework, teach them how to half-ass things.
All the homework doesnt have to be perfect, says Dr. Siqueland.
When to Seek Professional Help
Exactly how much anxiety is too much?
At what point should a family seek consult a medical professional?
There are two criteria that I tell all parents, says Dr. Siqueland.
This is my personal hobbyhorse, she says.
Kids can do gap years, there are state schools, there are a whole range of colleges.
Youre making your kid insane.
But a lot of times the pressure is kid-driven, too.
