The teens years are full of transitions, you move from the oversight of teachers and parents to more independent skills. Teens are expected to keep track of assignments, complete homework, participate in chores around the house and sometimes work a part time job. All of this is done with the minimum amount of supervision. During the teen years, you begin to develop you independent living skills.

All of this is enough to make anyone nervous, scared and worried. So how are teens and parents supposed to know the difference between normal jitters and an anxiety disorder?

Difference Between Worrying and Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The following are some comparisons between what would be considered to be "normal" worrying and what may be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder:

Normal:
You worry, but you are still able to complete your daily activities and cause little distress.
May Signal a Problem:
You worry so excessively that it interferes with your ability to complete daily activities, stops you from finishing your school work, makes it difficult to do your job well or interferes with your social life.

Normal:
You worry about a specific or realistic event, such as worrying about passing a major test.
May Signal a Problem:
You worry excessively and once you start worrying, you can't seem to stop it. You worry about everything, whether important or unimportant, big or small and always seem to expect the worst to happen.

Normal

You worry for a short period of time and are able to control your worrying and are able to move on to another activity.

May Signal a Problem:

You worry constantly and once you start worrying, you can't seem to shake it, even when you have something else to do.

Other signs that your worrying may be a sign of anxiety is that worrying has become extremely stressful, you sometimes worry about worrying and you worry everyday (and have been for at least six months.)

Differences Between Shyness and Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder often goes untreated because both the sufferers and their families see the symptoms as shyness.

Normal:
You become nervous and get butterflies in your stomach at the thought of giving a presentation in front of the class.
May Signal a Problem:
You become so nervous at the thought of speaking during class or giving a presentation that you become physically ill, have a headache, are dizzy or refuse to go to school on the day of the presentation.

Normal:
You become nervous when being introduced to new people.
May Signal a Problem:
You become debilitated with the thought of having to speak to someone you don't know, you sit alone at lunch because you are so filled with fear at the idea of speaking to someone.

Normal:
You are nervous about talking to other kids at school.
May Signal a Problem:
You don't have a social life and spend most of your time alone because of your fear of being rejected.

Social anxiety disorder can cause someone to worry about an event for weeks or months. For example, if your teacher gives an assignment that includes an oral presentation, but isn't due until next month, you may spend the entire month worrying. This might include not being able to sleep, having physical symptoms such as shaking, sweating or racing heartbeat, even when thinking about the upcoming presentation.