Anxiety Treatment Center for Teens, Children, and Young Adults
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders among young people. Kids and teens are navigating a multitude of challenges that come with maturing physically and mentally. Young adults are working to establish their own identity and autonomy as they build relationships and a life away from home.
The constant worrying, irrational fears, and self-judgment associated with anxiety can be paralyzing. Compassionate, evidence-based care helps anxious children and young adults heal the root causes of their symptoms, so they can move from struggling to thriving.
Newport Healthcare’s anxiety treatment helps young people identify triggers, build resilience, and find healthy coping strategies. In our residential and outpatient programs for ages 7–11, 12–18, and 18–35, clients gain tools for emotional self-regulation and skills for living an empowered life.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety
Here are the most common signs of anxiety in children, teens, and young adults:
- Feelings of worry and stress that seem impossible to control
- A sense of restlessness or being on edge
- Fatigue for no apparent reason, feeling worn down
- Sleep problems—either insomnia or sleeping too much
- A dip in academic or work performance
- Loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of appetite and other disruptions to eating, including inability to enjoy food
- Physical symptoms, such as muscle tension, stomachaches, and headaches
- Nausea, sweating, and shaking—particularly associated with social anxiety
- Increased use of alcohol and/or substances as a form of self-medication
- Avoidance—staying away from situations or places that trigger anxiety
- Anxiety attacks
Anxiety Disorder vs. Feeling Anxious: What’s the Difference?
What’s the difference between an anxiety disorder and simply feeling anxious? Most young people feel anxious sometimes. But the feelings generally pass once the triggering event or concern has been addressed.
However, with an anxiety disorder, the distress continues to increase in both frequency and intensity, rather than improving on its own. And the symptoms of an anxiety disorder affect daily functioning.
What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety is a complicated mental health condition that can stem from a variety of factors, including:
Genetics
Between 30 and 40 percent of the factors related to anxiety disorders are genetic and can be inherited.
Past trauma
Traumatic events, such as the early death of a parent, are risk factors for anxiety, and can contribute to the likelihood of anxiety disorders.
Physical health issues
Chronic illness, pain, thyroid problems, or heart disease can lead to anxiety.
Current life circumstances
High-pressure situations at work or school, or persistent social isolation, can trigger anxiety.
Changes and transitions
Moving, changing jobs or schools, starting college, and divorce are some of the life changes that can cause anxiety.
Types of Anxiety
There are various types of anxiety disorders. Here are some of the most common types of anxiety.
Take a Quiz
Are you wondering whether you or your loved one might be struggling with anxiety or another mental health issue? Take a quiz and get recommendations and next steps.
What Happens When Anxiety Isn’t Treated
Left untreated, anxiety disorders can negatively impact multiple areas of a young person’s daily life, including the ability to succeed at school or in a job, and to maintain relationships with friends and family members.
Severe anxiety symptoms can include physical symptoms and frequent panic attacks. In addition, anxiety in young people can lead to co-occurring disorders, such as eating disorders and substance use.
I miss Newport all the time—it even makes me emotional. The staff were life changing and truly believed in me. I read my goodbye letters whenever I need motivation to keep going. Newport genuinely saved my life.
Laila Y.
How to Find Out If You or a Loved One Has an Anxiety Disorder
When someone is experiencing signs of an anxiety disorder, it’s important to rule out medical factors and to determine what type of anxiety disorder they might be experiencing. A comprehensive anxiety assessment at a doctor’s office or at an anxiety treatment center for children, teens, or young adults will include the following:
Physical Exam
The doctor may do a physical exam and ask in-depth questions about the patient’s health to determine what may be causing anxiety. In some cases, anxiety may be linked to an underlying physical health problem.
Lab Tests
A doctor may conduct a blood test called a complete blood count, or test thyroid function to ensure that it’s working properly, to rule out medical issues that might cause anxiety.
Psychological Evaluation
A doctor or mental health professional may inquire about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior, or give you a questionnaire to fill out. Your answers help pinpoint an anxiety diagnosis.
How to Help Children, Teens, and Young Adults with Anxiety
Young people with anxiety often feel isolated and hopeless. It’s hard for them to believe that things can get better and that they will ever stop feeling anxious all the time.
If your loved one is struggling with anxiety, the most important thing is to let them know that you’re there for them, no matter what. Let them know that getting help is essential, and assure them that you will support them on the journey of healing.
Are you or a loved one struggling with anxiety?
Get in touch today to schedule a complimentary call with one of our admissions experts and explore next steps.
Healing is closer than you think
Our Anxiety Treatment Centers for Youth and Young Adults
At Newport Healthcare’s anxiety treatment centers for ages 7–11, 12–18, and 18–35, we treat anxiety using a multifaceted approach that addresses every aspect of a young person’s mental health and functioning. We have nationwide residential treatment programs for kids and young adults with anxiety, as well as outpatient programming.
Our clinical model is based in authentic connection and compassionate care. By uncovering root causes and providing tools to manage symptoms, change negative thought patterns, and regulate emotions, we help young people move forward in life with self-worth and resilience.
A multidisciplinary approach to healing
What Our Anxiety Treatment Includes
Psychiatric and Clinical Care
- Psychiatric care, medication recommendations, and ongoing medication management
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to helps clients reframe negative patterns of thinking and learn healthy coping strategies
- DBT-Informed Skills to build distress tolerance around anxious thoughts
- Attachment-Based Family Therapy to rebuild disrupted family relationships so young people can rely on their parents and other loved ones for support
- EMDR to heal from underlying trauma that may be contributing to anxiety
Experiential
Modalities
- Mindfulness and meditation to help balance the nervous system and give clients tools for “riding the wave” of anxiety
- Creative art therapies, including music therapy and art therapy, to enhance self-expression and process trauma underlying anxiety
- Adventure therapy to empower young people to handle challenges and master new skills
- Community service, as doing good for others is proven to increase life satisfaction and well-being
Academic, Career, and Life Skills Support
- Accredited academic component for teens, and assistance with college applications and admission
- Support with career planning, resume building, and planning next steps
- Life skills training, including daily skills for independent living
- Executive functioning support, to enhance emotional regulation, organization skills, and self-awareness
Our Team of Experts
Newport Healthcare’s team of industry experts provides the most medically sound anxiety treatment in the country, delivered with compassion and led by personal experience. Many of our clinical professionals at our anxiety treatment centers bring their own stories of recovery and healing to their work.
Our staff includes psychiatrists, therapists, teachers, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, and more. The Newport Healthcare team is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of young people.
From Our
Vice President, Learning and Development
During their time with us, young people gain skill sets and self-understanding that allow them to move into a life of well-being, based in self-respect and connection.
Ryan
Fedoroff
,
M.Ed
Where to Find Our Anxiety Treatment Centers
Newport Healthcare locations are in close proximity to multiple cities across the United States. We treat ages 7–11, 12–18, and 18–35 (depending on location) from all 50 states and abroad, providing a full continuum of care.
Newport’s residential treatment centers offer serene environments, within beautiful natural settings, where young people can find long-term healing and recovery from anxiety and co-occurring issues. Our outpatient programs are located in major metropolitan areas, with easy access for young people and families.
We have locations in Northern and Southern California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington State, and Wisconsin, with more programs in development in areas where youth and young adult mental health treatment are most needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
nxiety attacks are typically triggered by a specific stressor that brings on intense feelings of physical and emotional distress. While these attacks usually pass fairly quickly, if they recur repeatedly, they may be signs of an anxiety disorder, and therefore indicate a need for assessment and treatment.
Symptoms of an anxiety attack include:
- Feelings of dread and fear
- Rapid heart rate
- Difficulty breathing
- Cold sweat
- Dizziness or wooziness
- Chills
- Bodily tremors
To address anxiety effectively, young people need treatment with a mental health professional who can provide tailored therapy for their specific type of anxiety. Of course, the unconditional love and support of friends and family members is incredibly helpful as well.
There are various levels of care for teen, children’s, and young adult anxiety treatment, including residential treatment, outpatient care, telehealth, and weekly therapy. An assessment with a clinician can help determine the appropriate level of care, depending on the severity of the symptoms and whether co-occurring issues like substance use are also present.
Signs of anxiety in children, teens, and young adults can take many different forms. Panic attacks, constant worrying, difficulty concentrating, and physical symptoms like stomachaches and headaches are some of the most common signs of anxiety in young people.
Newport Healthcare offers free assessments with our clinical experts. We can help identity the type of anxiety and recommend the most impactful option for treatment and recovery. Contact us today to schedule an assessment at no charge.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety, also referred to as social phobia, refers to anxiety triggered by social settings. It can interfere with everyday activities in school, at work, at parties, and at other social gatherings.