Do you find yourself having teenage fears and worries that cause anxiety or lead you to avoid certain situations because you believe you are the only one experiencing them?
Teenage fears and worries are not unique to you alone. Everyone goes through all kinds of personal fears in life.
There are those fears that are real and rational, like fear of snakes or being hit by a car and those taken out of context due to the exposure you allow in your teenage life or what you have gone through in childhood.
An increase in teenage depression and suicide comes about when teens avoid sharing their thoughts. Most of these thoughts have to do with the fears and worries they experience. The teenage fears and worries you think about are common to all; talking it out allows you to realize this and encourage you to press on with life.
This article highlights a list of teenage fears and worries that every teenager goes through. You are neither alone nor odd.
What Teens Worry about that Manifests as Fear
1. Fear of Talking to Your Parents/Guardian about Personal Issues.
By the time you hit 10years, you experienced this fear, mostly if the challenge you were going through was embarrassing or not what your parents would approve.
You could also fear sharing your concerns because you have been telling your parents to stop treating you like a child. Going to them with an issue will appear as if you are still a child because you are supposed to ‘handle it’ by the impression you gave them.
You may be surprised to know that your parents/guardians would appreciate it if you go to them for advice or share your thoughts. Their greatest desire as a parent is to consider them first for help; it makes them feel valuable. The fears of a teenage girl or boy are not new to them. Try it out.
2. Fear of Not Fitting with Other Teens in School or with Friends
Adults also go through this fear in their social groups. It is not a phobia in teenagers only. Even the most popular teen in school experiences this fear; that’s why they have to keep doing stuff to impress everyone.
This fear manifests because forming a relational bond is a basic human emotional need. The underlying worry is that you will be lonely, miss out on the fun, or lack an opportunity to showcase your talent.
Overcoming this fear takes courage; it calls for you to step out and say hi to someone, you will eventually find someone who will enjoy your company.
Giving in to peer pressure happens when you want to rush the process of making friends. Peer pressured friendships rarely last because you get into the group because of what you can do for and with them and not who you are.
3. Fear of Not Having a Mobile Phone (Nomophobia)
Nomophobia is one of the major phobias in teenagers and young adults. You know you have this teenage phobia when you become angry, stressed, and anxious when your mobile phone is off or not connecting to Wi-Fi.
You feel like the world should stop if you are not close to your mobile phone as you will miss out on what your friends are sharing and texting. Imagine the stress level if you don’t have a phone.
If your parents haven’t given you a phone yet, they are doing it for your good. Teens who own phones without limitations are more likely to suffer from mental health illnesses and have reduced school work concentration.
4. Fear of Poor Grades and Test-taking
Most teens would not admit it to each other but getting low grades is a common teenage fear. There is the promise of a good school/college or better life if you perform well.
It is normal to think about your life after school; you want to live a comfortable life and achieve your dreams plus letting the world enjoy your skills. These aspirations lead to the fears of a teenage girl or boy to manifest when there is a probability of not achieving them.
Some form of fear of poor grades is good because it drives you to study, but it becomes a concern when you get a panic attack during exams or are overly obsessed with this fear that you cannot live out your teenage life well.
5. Body Image Fears and Worries
Your friends may have said something that caused you to worry about your body image, or the images you view on social media planted a thought in your mind that your body needs improvement.
Everyone goes through personal fears in life, including body image issues and concerns, even the celebrities you follow on Instagram have done some cosmetic jobs to enhance their look.
Occasionally thinking about our bodies is acceptable as it helps you lead a healthy lifestyle. This teenage fear and worry is a concern when you become obsessed to the point of refusing to eat or forcefully vomiting after a meal.
Limiting social pages that overly emphasize body image, accepting your body as it is, and avoiding friends who body shame goes a long way to help you deal with this fear.
6. Fear of Family Conflict and Breakdown
If you live in a family where both parents are together, a common teenage fear that you may experience is if your parents will stay together forever. Many of your friend’s parents are either separated or divorced, and you fear if yours will stay together, especially when you hear them quarrel.
You could be living with a single parent, and you desire your parents to get back together. Deep inside, you may be having a fear that you will be with just your mum or dad.
Talking with someone about these fears and worries, especially your parents, help you deal with your current family situation. Disagreements in the home are normal; it doesn’t mean that you or someone you love will be rejected or thrown out.
7. Fear of Depression or Suicide
You may have heard that teenagers are going through depression and committing suicide more than any other age group. As a teen, this can cause you to worry, and you feel helpless as you may be inexperienced to prevent this from happening to you or your friends.
An excellent way to deal with this fear is to learn to talk about your fears and worries with someone you trust.
Depression and suicidal ideation arise from leading a secretive thought life and exposing yourself to friends and social media pages that make you feel less of a person.
Final Thoughts on What Teens Worry About
The list of teenage fears and worries is endless; we have other fears like fear of being bullied, fear of the future, fear of lacking pocket money, fear of auditioning, among others.
Experiencing the common teenage fears is expected; the problem arises when you become overly obsessed with these teenage fears and worries that you cannot function normally.
The personal fears in life you have as a teenager are not unique to you, even those not listed here. Talking about it with your parents, friends, and God goes a long way in helping you deal with them.
Sometimes you may be overwhelmed by these worries that you experience depressive moods or have suicidal ideation. Do not be afraid to ask your parents to look for professional help for you.
You are needed and loved by your family and friends.
Get in touch with us for your counseling needs and we will help you navigate through your teenage life, including the fears and worries in your mind.
Jane Kariuki is a devout Christian, Clinician, Psychologist, and founder of ParenTeen Kenya. She authored an exceptional training manual used in her teens’ workshop and an instructional guidebook for her parenting classes. If she is not training, blogging, or counseling, Jane loves to spend time with her sweet husband and three children.
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