9781422285787

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? DID YOU KNOW? About 25 percent of all teenagers struggle with anxiety at some point. More than 5 percent of teenagers have severe anxiety.

fear of lions often did not live very long at all. Today, a fear of fire or a fear of crossing busy streets can keep you safe in just the same way. Anxiety can do more than just save lives. We now know that a little anxiety sparks extra brain activity. Being a bit nervous about a test is actually a good thing: studies have found that a little anxiety can help your memory. Many skilled performers still feel nervous before they step out on stage. That little jolt of anxiety can create a better performance. However, when it comes to anxiety, there can be too much of a good thing. Large amounts of anxiety actually cause less brain activity. That’s probably why people talk about being so nervous that they “freeze up” and “can’t think.” Scientists believe that a little anxiety speeds the brain up, but a lot of anxiety slows the brain down. Too Much Anxiety? Feeling anxious is part of being human. If you are going through a difficult time in your life—if your mother or father just lost a job, for example, or if you are moving to a new town—you might feel anxious a lot. And that’s okay. When the difficult time passes, you will feel better. But sometimes, people don’t feel better. Sometimes the feelings of anxiety are so strong that they can’t do what they want to do. Some people become so nervous that they begin to sweat and shake, have trouble breathing, and feel sick. These experiences are called panic attacks , and they can be very frightening.

Opposite: If life is stressful in your home, it’s natural that you might feel anxious.