Supporting Children and Teens with School Anxiety
Parents who haven’t seen signs of anxiety before may suddenly notice their child struggling with sleep, avoiding school, or picking up new habits that seem out of character.
Anxiety in teenagers doesn’t always sound like “I feel worried.” More often, it shows up through everyday behaviours that disrupt school, sleep, friendships or family life.
Understanding what’s really going on can help you know when it’s time to seek support.
How Anxiety Might Show Up in Teens
Here are some of the most common ways anxiety can appear in young people:
School Avoidance
Sam, 14, often wakes up with stomach aches and begs not to go to school. His parents have noticed this happens most on days when he has PE or presentations.
Some mornings, he’s so distressed that he ends up staying home.
Sleep and Exhaustion
Leah, 15, lies awake at night replaying the day or worrying about tomorrow. She scrolls on her phone to distract herself, but this only leaves her more exhausted. By morning she’s too tired to concentrate and her teachers have noticed her grades
slipping.
Habits and Tics
Josh, 13, has started biting his nails until they bleed and clearing his throat constantly. When anxious, he picks at the skin on his hands without realising. His parents thought these were “just habits,” but they’ve become harder for him to
control.
Fear and Regression
Maya, 12, spider phobia has become much worse, the worry stops her from going to sleep-overs at friends houses. She wants her mum to tuck her in at night and becomes very distressed if left alone. Her family feel like they’ve gone back to when
she was much younger.
These behaviours may look very different on the surface, but they all share one thing in common: they are signs of a young person trying to cope with an anxious brain.
What’s Happening in the Brain
When a teenager feels anxious, the “primitive” part of the brain (the amygdala and limbic system) takes charge. This part of the brain is wired for survival, triggering the fight, flight, or freeze response.
The difficulty is that the primitive brain cannot always tell the difference between genuine danger and everyday challenges. A teacher’s comment, a spider in the corner, or a worrying thought can trigger the same stress response as real threat.
When this happens, the “intellectual” brain — the part responsible for reasoning, perspective, and problem-solving — is pushed into the background. That’s why anxious behaviours can seem illogical: avoiding school, nail biting, or needing to be
tucked into bed again. These are all ways the primitive brain tries to regain control. Over time, if these behaviours repeat, the brain wires them in as habits. But the good news is that the brain is flexible. With the right support, teenagers can strengthen
their intellectual brain, calm the primitive brain, and develop healthier coping strategies.
5 Ways Parents Can Help an Anxious Teen
- Encourage small areas of control. Let your teen make everyday choices - such as what to cook for dinner, how to arrange their room, or when to start homework. These small decisions help restore a sense of safety and control. Notice what’s going well.
- Shift the focus from problems to progress. Notice anything small they do well. Also, asking “What went well today?” instead of “How are you?” helps the brain release serotonin, a chemical linked to calm and confidence.
- Encourage hobbies and exercise. Physical activity and enjoyable hobbies are powerful natural stress relievers. They boost mood, increase resilience, and provide healthy outlets for anxious energy.
- Protect healthy routines. Regular sleep, balanced meals, and consistent routines give the brain stability. Limiting late-night scrolling and creating a calm wind-down routine makes a big difference for anxious minds.
- Seek support if needed. If anxiety is interfering with school, friendships, or family life, professional support can help. Hypnotherapy for teenagers is a gentle, effective way to reduce anxiety, calm the primitive brain, and build confidence.
Final Thought
If you’ve noticed new or persistent signs of anxiety in your teenager this term, you’re not alone. Many families expect things to settle after the first few weeks of school, but for some young people, this is when difficulties really start to show.
The important thing to know is that change is possible. With the right support, teens can learn to manage anxiety, build confidence, and get back to enjoying everyday life.
At Belfast Chiropractic and Complementary Therapies Clinic we provide gentle, supportive hypnotherapy for teenagers - helping young people reduce anxiety and thrive.
Please contact us to find out more: 028 9064 1111 / admin@belfastchiropracticclinic.com
Click here to find out more about solutions-focused hypnotherapy.
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