YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Anxiety is the
number one condition that is diagnosed by psychologists
and psychiatrists. It is incredibly common, and every single person that I
work with in my therapy practice struggles with it. Anxiety is especially
common in young people—and adolescence is the peak moment for experiencing
anxiety. Scientists report that anxiety increases significantly
between the ages of twelve and seventeen—and that almost a third of adolescents
ages thirteen to eighteen have an anxiety disorder. Anyone who
has experienced some anxiety in childhood (and who hasn’t?) is likely to
find that the stresses of puberty, the teen years, or young adulthood can
create a tipping point. In my years as a therapist, I have discovered that
adolescents and young adults are not only very frequently anxious, they
also seem to experience anxiety more intensely than those who are older
or younger.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER
Due to the very subtle and ongoing nature of worried thoughts, many
of us just sit with our anxiety and suffer through it. It can sometimes
feel like it would take too much time or energy to explain what you are
thinking and worrying about to a friend or family member. Some of us
feel concerned that if we actually shared our worry, people wouldn’t get it,
or might even judge us. Young people in particular often feel embarrassed
and reluctant to share negative emotions. This is a shame because it is
entirely normal to have anxiety. Moreover, keeping feelings inside and
unacknowledged is not healthy and makes things worse. If we suffer in
silence, the anxiety builds and builds. There is a ridiculous stigma associated
with anxiety and worry, which is very unfortunate and, I believe,
truly unnecessary. We live in a crazy world (at the time this book is being
written, we are still in the midst of a pandemic). Worry is exhausting,
overwhelming, misery-inducing, and can reduce your quality of life. It
can distract you, rob you of your sleep, make your body feel tense, and
reduce your enjoyment of activities. No one should have to just sit with
it—and the good news is, you don’t have to!
This book is going to help youbreak free of those uncomfortable feelings by learning to cope with them.
Copyright © 2021 by Terri Bacow. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
