Teaching teens to cope: The Pathways perspective

(Editor's note: This series will explore various perspectives of those who live with anxiety and the complexity of the disorder.)

Jill Boggs has been a counselor at Pathways for 13 years, and has spent the last six years working with students in the Rowan County school system.

Boggs, who provides school-based services four days a week, says that communication between school staff, parents, and students is critical for diagnosing mental disorders in students.

She says that anxiety disorders are one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders across all ages. She added that teenage females are more likely to be diagnosed than their male peers.

Psych Wellness' Kate Thieda says women are diagnosed with anxiety disorders at twice the rate of men, and explains that women experience anxiety for a number of reasons, including hormonal fluctuations and are more diagnosed because it is culturally accepted.

On the other hand, it is not as culturally acceptable for men to seek help when there is a problem, and often turn to other methods of self medication, including drugs and alcohol to "treat" their anxiety.

"The key is for students to recognize the negative feelings that cause an increase in symptoms," says Boggs.

She added that students or their families are often unaware that the student's symptoms are indicative of an anxiety disorder.

Boggs says the first indicators of an anxiety disorder include a drop in grades, a disinterest in going to school, social disengagement, or avoidance of activities the student used to be involved in.

She added that some may not recognize the disorder until they are forced to face something out of the ordinary.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, "Anxiety disorders affect one in eight children. Research shows that untreated children with anxiety disorders are at higher risk to perform poorly in school, miss out on important social experiences, and engage in substance abuse."

Boggs says parents need to ask themselves the question "Is this my child's personality or is this something we need to think about?"

She said the treatment plan for students with anxiety is tailored to the individual.

Treatment options include therapy, medication, and coping techniques.

Boggs says that parents want to do what is best for their children, and often choose therapy first, without ruling out medication as an option.

"We now have a better understanding of what anxiety is. Parents are more aware and informed, and schools are great at catching symptoms," she says.

She says that most students are referred to Pathways by the schools' guidance counselors.

"I love working in schools. I knew I loved it in the office, but was unsure about school-based. It is rewarding to see changes in students that they can use over their lifetime. It is rewarding seeing students feel successful," says Boggs.

She added that the goal of treatment is for students to realize that they are not defined by their anxiety disorder.

"We don't want students to feel like anxiety is controlling. We want them to realize that if they use the tools in their toolbox, they can manage their disorder," Boggs said.

She added that a huge part of treatment is empowerment, and said that students feeling empowered counteracts negative feelings.

Pathways accepts new clients after the completion of an intake form. More information about Pathways can be found at http://www.pathways-ky.org/

Megan Smedley can be reached at msmedley@themoreheadnews.com or by telephone at 784-4116.