Teen Anxiety: When to Worry & How to Help with Lyn Worsley

About the Guest:

Lyn Worsley is a renowned clinical psychologist and the director of the Resilience Centre. With nearly 30 years of experience, Lyn has contributed significantly to understanding and promoting mental health and resilience across various groups. Her approach often involves solution-oriented therapies, focusing on building resilience and leveraging existing strengths in individuals. Lyn is also recognised for developing the internationally acclaimed Resilience Doughnut model, which aims to identify and strengthen key resources within individuals and communities to enhance resilience.

Key Takeaways:

• The "imaginary audience" phenomenon is crucial in understanding why adolescents are highly self-conscious and anxious about fitting in with peers.
• Resilience can be nurtured by identifying and leveraging three key resources from the Resilience Doughnut: personal competencies, social ecology, and overcoming adversity.
• Parents are encouraged to engage with their teens' interests, such as gaming or fashion, to foster better communication and connection.
• Anxiety is a common part of development, but when it impairs daily functioning, it may require intervention and professional support.
• Key indicators of anxiety disorders include withdrawal from social situations, circular thinking, and avoidance of school and activities.

Notable Quotes:

1. Lyn Worsley: "Anxiety is a symptom that there is something going on in the brain that's in conflict, and it's just trying to work out how to reconcile whatever that is."
2. Lyn Worsley: "When they're recoiling, not wanting to go to school, or having circular thinking—that's when you need to be alerted."
3. Lyn Worsley: "Medication can aid, but therapy should never be excluded for adolescent anxiety; they should work together."
4. Lyn Worsley: "Resilience involves personal and social competence, navigating social ecologies, and going through adversity."

Resources:

• The Resilience Centre
• Murdoch Children's Research Institute
• Black Dog Institute

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