Among the more puzzling questions facing teenage stress and anxiety researchers is the alarming increase in the number of publicized teenage stress beatings (and even murders) as of late. Major news organizations like USA Today and MSNBC have reported this increase. One shocking CNN headline reads, “Teen ‘sport killings’ of homeless on the rise.”

Teenage fight clubs, random acts of violence, video taped stress beatings – all have their roots in the depression, alienation, confusion and apathy that teenage stress and anxiety syndrome breeds. It is clear that stress and anxiety symptoms are driving our youth to commit unspeakable acts of violence, but why?

Some of the causes appear to be the breakdown of the family unit, decreased supervision at ever younger ages, a casting off of traditional notions of ethics and morality, and the glorified violence that is pumped into the minds of youth via music, video games, movies, and TV. All children are at risk, and parents need to take heed of the warning signs of teenage stress and anxiety syndrome.

What You Can Do

The mental health affects of teenage stress and anxiety syndrome are menacing, so in order to prevent your teen from becoming a statistic it is essential that you take affirmative steps to intervene before it is too late.

1. Spend more time communicating with your teen. 

    

2. Provide teens with ample opportunities to engage in wholesome, supervised activities. 

    

3. Talk to your child about the implications of violent “entertainment” and help them to see how a constant stream of such drivel can act to negatively desensitize them to the important things in life. 

    

4. Be a positive and proactive role model for your children and teens to emulate.

While explaining the exact causes remains elusive, the negative mental health effects of stress and anxiety on teens is indisputable. By committing to becoming a more communicative and vigilant parent you can go a long way towards mitigating the negative effects of stress and anxiety on your teenagers.