Families and schools are not too bad at spotting when a teenager has depression. They are not so good at spotting when a teenager has anxiety. I'm not so sure we actually understand anxiety. Somehow I think we may equate anxiety with stress. They are two different things and should not be confused as the same. Anxiety can take many forms. Sometimes it is about worry. Sometimes it is about panic attacks. It may manifest as social anxiety. We see many teens with obsessive compulsive disorder. Phobias are a form of anxiety. Whenever I see a teenager that is putting off drivers ed I look at the possibility of anxiety. Parents are usually surprised when they learn their teen is a perfectionist and that is a form of anxiety. There does not have to be an event that triggers anxiety. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain. With teenagers and children anxiety may manifest as anger. You may not have any idea what triggered a rage. Teens with anxiety will often avoid something if it is likely to cause anxiety. Teenagers will anxiety cannot pull themselves up by their bootstraps. (By the way if you think about it that is actually physically impossible.)
When a teenager has one or more forms of anxiety the life inside their skin is terrifying. It is not really in their control. Professional intervention is warranted at least for an evaluation to determine what is happening and if treatment is recommended. The teenager needs to know it is not their fault and this have not done anything wrong. They need to be helped to learn different tools to deal with what is happening so they have some ways to manage their anxiety. They should not be told that what they are worrying about is silly. They need to be listened to so they do not feel ignored.
If you may have a teen with anxiety do not hesitate about getting them the help they need so they can normalize their life.
Sherri