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 I am afraid

Teenage avoidance behavior is a mental coping strategy that some adolescents use to manage stressful situations. If you have noticed that your adolescent seems excessively uneasy withdrawn during social interactions. Spends an unreasonable amount of time alone at home, or has resorted to unhealthy activities. They may be exhibiting teenage avoidance behavior.

Social avoidance

Teenage avoidance conduct can, understandably, frustrating for any caregiver. We want them to do well in school, learn responsibility, and develop into well rounded adults. That means taking things head-on, even the hard things. Unfortunately, anxiety can lead teens to, well, avoid places, events, or situations that would be triggers for them. The good news is: There are ways to help them.

teenage avoidance

Teen avoidance behavior examples, also known as avoidance, are strongly associated with anxiety disorder. If your teen exhibits this demeanor, it’s because they know, at least on some level, that whatever it is would have a very negative effect on them. This could be as bad as a full-on panic attack.

Teenage avoidance

Equally important to know anxiety and depression in  teens the first thing you need to do is not to judge or belittle their feelings. As a matter of fact, you may think that what they are avoiding is nothing to worry about, but their fear is very real. And not recognizing that is not helping the situation. In fact, during the formative years, social apprehension can be a very big issue for teenagers.

teenage avoidance

Teenage avoidance

Teenage syndrome and avoidance they want to impress their friends and maintain their friend groups. As much as you might want to say, “You can make other friends,” that might just make them pull away. A point often overlooked they may think you are forcing them into something that is causing them fear.

Examples of avoidance behavior aba

Generally speaking can come in lots of forms: They might want to stay home all the time to avoid certain people and escape what they fear student will drop classes. All of a sudden wash their hands excessively to protect against germs.  Or meticulously count calories to avoid gaining weight.

Risk factors include family history of mental illness or personality disorders, an abusive home environment, and abnormal brain chemistry. If left untreated, avoidance behavior can result in ingrained habits that and complete isolation from others. This, unfortunately, includes their once-closest loved ones, who would then end up becoming potential triggers themselves.

How to help a withdrawn teenager

Teen with this condition are also at risk of self-medicating with drugs and alcohol to help them deal with their social anxiety in public settings like parties or even just in normal interactions with friends. So, as you can imagine, it is crucial to intervene as soon as possible to prevent the condition from worsening

Teenage avoidance

So, how can it be treated? Like many mental health issues, cognitive behavior therapy can be a big help. It helps the sufferer learn to understand their anxiety and avoidance tendencies so they can learn how to cope.

As always, don’t lose hope. If you see worrying behaviors in your teen, the first thing you should do is talk to them. Let them know that you do not judge them, and that you are there to support them any way you can. Under those circumstances give them space to process it on their own. Don’t be too overbearing.

All in all it is important to find a trusted mental health professional to help diagnose and suggest the correct treatment. With the correct support, teens with avoidance behavior can grow into healthy, well-balanced adults. In the long run with the correct support, teens with avoidance behavior can grow into healthy, well-balanced adults.