Teen
Books to Help Teenagers Struggling with Stress and Anxiety
by Melissa Taylor
Teens are experiencing more anxiety than ever before. The best thing we can do as parents is to compassionately support our struggling teens, letting them know we value their mental health as much as their physical health. We must tell our teenagers that it is not a failure to experience stress, anxiety, or depression, and that it’s okay, brave even, to recognize it and ask for help. We hope these books give your teen practical ideas and encouragement.
We believe in books but realize that sometimes a book is not enough. Consult an adolescent therapist if you need more support.
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Don’t Let Your Emotions Run Your Life for Teens: Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills for Helping You Manage Mood Swings, Control Angry Outbursts, and Get Along with Others
Available from:Adolescent therapists highly recommend this book to me because it’s an interactive opportunity for teens to apply the principals covered in the book. The book teaches the concepts of mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
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The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook
Available from:Bourne guides readers in both understanding and dealing with anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. He shares specific ways to solve anxious thoughts such as breathing techniques, ending negative self-talk, using desensitization, and making lifestyle changes. Teen counselor, Virginia Hood, says of this book, “It’s the best resource I’ve found on understanding anxiety.”
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One Year Wiser: An Illustrated Guide to Mindfulness
Available from:Explore mindfulness and self-discovery as a way to transform fear and anxiety. Zen Buddhist, Mike Medaglia, helps readers understand the tools that are already inside them with beautiful cartoon-like illustrations and words of wisdom.
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Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration
Also available from:Use this beautifully designed journal to discover your true self. Prompts and exercises gently guide readers to reflect, look deeper, and get creative through written responses, drawing, and chart-making.
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Little Ways to Keep Calm and Carry On: Twenty Lessons for Managing Worry, Anxiety, and Fear
Available from:Learn techniques used by cognitive behavioral therapists to help deal with stress and anxiety. Questions and tasks prompt readers to try out the information for themselves. This is an accessible, quick read that will add new strategies to your anxiety toolbox.
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My Anxious Mind: A Teen’s Guide to Managing Anxiety and Panic
Available from:Learn strategies to help you take control of your anxiety. The authors share information about breathing, thinking, facing fears, panic attacks, nutrition, sleep, exercise, medication, and how to tell if and when anxiety is a problem.
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Lastly, don’t forget about fiction books. Stories can help teens know they’re not alone, that they’re not the only person in the world going through anxiety and depression. Consider recommending your teen read these YA novels about mental illness.
Thanks to Virginia Hood, LPCC; Misha Grodt, MA, LPC; and Angela Wall, Ph.D. for their input on this article.