In recent years, we have seen a surge of young people expressing deep unease about the state of the world. Many ask, "What has the world come to?" and "Where is it all heading?" Some go further, asking, "What is the point of doing anything?" or “What is the point of my life?” or “Who am I?”
It’s not surprising in some ways to see that trending. There is global unrest, violence, and conflict at home and abroad. There is heightened concern regarding the sustainability of our environment and planet. Society can seem harsh and unforgiving. These trends can seem concerning, especially when amplified by the surrounding media.
Sometimes, an individual’s general concerns can deepen into a type of anxiety called “existential anxiety.” They struggle with the point of life; they question their core beliefs. The anxiety can feel particularly deep for some and can at times become intractable leading to depression.
What I often see is people try to help by suggesting the person “look within” to define their ultimate meaning and purpose. While this can seem helpful and motivational, I see this approach often actually amplifying their stress, especially the case for teenagers and young adults. It places burden of solving these large issues on the individual’s ability to find the answer in themselves. What if they don’t have the answers when they look inward? Would any of us?
What many need in these times is a belief system outside of themselves that allows them to find purpose and resilience amidst life’s uncertainty, challenge and chaos. Just the opposite of “looking inward” actually. A belief system that can be the anchor that provides them perspective and balance.
What if they don’t know exactly what that belief system is, or are searching for it? That’s where we as parents, counselors and professionals can help them. We can support them as they ask hard questions; we can support them as they engage in thinking through possible answers. Discussing and engaging. We need to not be afraid to explore life philosophies and faith with those struggling with this type of anxiety.
Professionals like the ones at MedPsych Behavioral Health can help in a few ways. First, they can provide one one-on-one therapy that can focus on helping the individual express and start to work through their anxieties. Having a trusted person focus on this can be very valuable. In addition, sometimes the anxiety can be more significant and impairing and might benefit from psychiatric treatment and conservative medication usage.
These situations can be challenging for a parent to manage on their own at times. We can be available to help to perform an initial diagnostic evaluation and, if warranted, ongoing treatment. Let us know if we can be of assistance.
*MedPsych will be hosting a live webinar on “Anxiety In Teens” on Feb 6th at 12pm-1pm. This is a free live webinar focused on the fundamentals of anxiety with the teenage population. This will be a helpful topic for parents, teachers or administrators. CLICK HERE to register for this event.
Mohab Hanna, MD is Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and is the founder of MedPsych Behavioral Health with offices in Ramsey, Old Tappan and Montclair. Dr. Hanna specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety, depression and ADHD. MedPsych provides psychiatry, psychotherapy, autism and ADHD testing, and other services with in-person and virtual appointments available. MedPsych is offering a teen anxiety group in their Ramsey office. For more information, please visit www.medpsychhealth.com or email us at newpatient@medpsychnj.com.
545 Island Road, Suite 2B & 3D, Ramsey, NJ 07446
180 Old Tappan Road, Building 3, 2nd Floor, Old Tappan, NJ 07675
MedPsych Behavioral Health provides psychiatry, psychotherapy and testing services to children, teens, and adults. MedPsych has offices in Ramsey, Old Tappan and Montclair, and offers in-person and tele-based services. For more information visit www.medpsychhealth.com, email team@medpsychhealth.com or call (551) 271-1506.