Teenagers and young adults need to be respected to make their own decisions. For example, having the opportunity to go to their medical appointments without you.
If you have a teenager who is afraid of social situations or restricts their food intake unnecessarily, you could help them to gradually put themselves in the situations they’re worried about. In this way, they will learn that nothing dangerous is likely to happen.
Panic attacks can feel like allergic reactions. For example, it can feel hard to breathe and they might have a sudden sense of dread or panic, so it’s important for them to know which is which.
If social situations are a problem for your teenager, you could invite a good friend around to your house for a meal as a first step. After a while this can build their confidence so that eventually they feel ready to stay at a friend’s house. Although this may cause anxiety to begin with, in the long run it can reduce it.
