Full Answer Section

• Ask the adolescent about their stressors. This may include school, relationships, family, or other areas of their life.
• Use a standardized anxiety screening tool. There are a number of standardized anxiety screening tools available, such as the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7.

Additional Assessment Questions

• How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?
• How often do you experience these symptoms?
• How severe are these symptoms?
• What are the triggers for your anxiety?
• What coping mechanisms do you use to manage your anxiety?
• How is your anxiety impacting your daily life?

Ethical Parameters Regarding What You Can and Cannot Share with the Parent or Guardian

• You can share any information about the adolescent’s anxiety and external stressors that is necessary to provide them with care. This includes sharing information with the parent or guardian if the adolescent is at risk of self-harm or harming others.
• You cannot share any information about the adolescent’s anxiety and external stressors without their consent. However, you can encourage the adolescent to talk to their parent or guardian about their anxiety.

Support Options for Adolescents Encountering External Stressors

• Individual therapy: Individual therapy can help adolescents to identify and manage their stressors, develop coping mechanisms, and learn how to manage their anxiety.
• Group therapy: Group therapy can provide adolescents with support from other adolescents who are also experiencing external stressors.
• Family therapy: Family therapy can help families to communicate better and resolve conflict.
• School-based support services: Many schools offer support services to students who are experiencing external stressors, such as counseling and academic support.
• Community-based support services: There are a number of community-based organizations that offer support services to adolescents who are experiencing external stressors.

Specific Support Options for Adolescent Anxiety

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that can help adolescents to identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors that are contributing to their anxiety.
• Relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can help adolescents to manage their anxiety symptoms.
• Mindfulness training: Mindfulness training can help adolescents to pay attention to the present moment without judgment. This can be helpful for adolescents who are struggling with anxiety because it can help them to focus on the present moment and let go of worries about the future.

It is important to tailor the support options to the individual needs of the adolescent. Some adolescents may benefit from a combination of different support options.