STRESS & TEARS

Helping Teens Cope

Britt Rathbone, LCSW-C, BCD, CGP

www.rathbone.info

www.rathbone.info

Anxiety

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Anxiety• Fear

• Emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat

• Anxiety• Anticipation of future threat

• Common responses• Fight, flight, freeze• Escape behaviors• Muscle tension• Vigilance• Avoidance

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Anxiety Disorders• Specific phobia

• Animal• Environment• Blood/infection/injury• Situational

• Social anxiety disorder• Generalized anxiety disorder• Panic disorder• Agoraphobia• Separation anxiety disorder• Obsessive compulsive disorder• PTSD

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Anxiety• Intensity• Duration• Impact on functioning

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Depression

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Depression• Sadness

• Reaction to an event

• Depression• Persistent sadness

• Common responses• Withdrawal• Sad mood• Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities• Weight gain/loss• Sleep increase/decrease• Motor agitation or retardation• Fatigue/loss of energy• Difficulty concentrating• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt• Recurrent thoughts of death

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Depressive disorders• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder• Major depressive disorder• Persistent depressive disorder• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder• Substance or medication induced depressive disorder

• Bipolar illnesses

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Depression• Intensity• Duration• Impact on functioning

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SuicidalityRisk factors:• Previous attempt• Wish to be dead• Plan• Lethality of plan• Access to lethal means• Poor social support• Feeling of being a burden to others• Life changes• History of suicide in family• Recent publicity about a suicide• Hopelessness• Alcohol/drug abuse

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Suicidality

Protective factors:• Identifies reason for living• Responsibility to others• Supportive social network or family• Fear of death or dying due to pain and suffering• Belief that suicide is immoral; high spirituality• Engaged in work or school

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Problem Solving

Options for painful problems• Solve the problem• Change how you feel about it• Accept it• Stay miserable

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Self Care

• Exercise• Eat well• Be with people• Sleep• Relax

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What Can Parents Do?

5 Things Parents Can Implement Immediately

1. Model problem solving and flexibility (out loud)

2. Demonstrate compassion

3. Support and model social activity (appropriate to temperament)

4. Encourage and model exercise

5. Display acceptance

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BRITT RATHBONELCSW-C, BCD, CGP

301-229-9490

www.rathbone.info

www.rathbone.info