According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 1 in 3 of all adolescents ages 13 to 18 experience the detrimental effects of an anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, to much more concern, the numbers only continue to rise-- between 2007 and 2012, anxiety disorders within children and teens rose 20% (McCarthy).
Due to the growing prominence of anxiety disorders and their inhibitory nature, coping mechanisms are absolutely vital. Although it may seem as if the effects of anxiety are insurmountable, the ability to cope forms resilience and catalyzes treatment.
Many teens do not fully understand what coping mechanisms are and the many examples of them. It is important to note that coping comes in many forms, and the success of the mechanisms is fully determined by what each individual gets out of them. The most prominent goal of coping is to reduce the restraints of anxiety and other mental illnesses in order to produce a happier, healthier lifestyle.
The following are the five most popular coping mechanisms: talking/venting, relaxation, humor, physical activity, and creative outlets (BRITE). I think that, as teens, we all collectively understand the unique benefits of each of these coping mechanisms. For instance, talking allows us to feel heard and understood, relaxation relieves tension, humor promotes comedic relief, physical activity promotes the health of the body and mind, and creative outlets allow us to focus on the positive with hobbies we enjoy.
Despite the fact that these are the most popular coping mechanisms, it is often the ones we create ourselves that turn out to be the most effective in improving our mental states. For example, I struggle heavily with the tense, uneasy emotions that anxiety causes, and in order to cope with those feelings I have created a mechanism that brings me back in touch with reality and reminds me that I am safe: when you are experiencing an anxiety attack, begin to move your wrists and ankles in a circular motion. This coping mechanism is most beneficial for panic attacks because you are instantly reminded of where you are as the constant movement relaxes your body.
I find it important to share these statistics and various coping mechanisms with others because of the commonality of anxiety and other debilitating mental disorders. Although it may feel as if you are fully alone and unable to achieve happiness, we are all trying to support ourselves and each other. I recommend sharing these techniques with those you know because, at the end of the day, we are all struggling, but that struggle doesn’t have to last forever.
BRITE. “The Importance of Coping Mechanisms.” straight upvc.org, BRITE, 4 October 2019, http://straightupvc.org/the-importance-of-coping-mechanisms/. Accessed 16 March 2021.
McCarthy, Claire. “Anxiety in Teens is Rising: What's Going On?” healthychildren.org, 20 November 2019, https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Anxiety-Disorders.aspx#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20National%20Institutes,and%20teens%20went%20up%2020%25. Accessed 16 March 2021.