Common fears and worries for a high school aged child – young adult.
There are many experiences adolescents find unsettling and/or they worry about. Some find it hard to express or communicate their concerns. It’s important that parents are alert to what your teen might be fearful of or worrying about – as these are opportunities to connect and emotion coach.
Teens can find it easier to mask their underlying feelings, look out for signs like regular physical complaints, school refusal, resisting getting things done like homework, having very high standard, refusing normal activities eg sports, avoiding socialising, needing a lot of reassurance, avoiding certain places/situations or frequent irritability. Sometimes these can be indicators of fears or worries.
Common worries:
Being accepted socially or meeting new people.
Being seen in a negative light.
Talking in front of others or performing.
Making mistakes.
Not winning.
Not being popular with a certain social group.
Not having a partner.
Sexuality and sexual identity.
Dark, heights, animals, water etc.
Intruders.
Illness or death.
Appearance, body image or weight.
Not having the best brands, clothes etc.
Being bullied.
The future beyond school.
Take a couple of minutes, think back to yourself as a teenager – what were your key fears or worries as an adolescent?