When Worry Feels Bigger: Understanding Anxiety in Teenage Girls
by Straight Up Health
Anxiety is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a lived reality for far too many teenage girls. If your daughter seems to be withdrawing, constantly worried, overwhelmed by the smallest things, or struggling to manage her emotions, she’s not alone—and neither are you.
According to Statistics Canada, the rate of generalized anxiety disorder among young Canadian women has tripled in the past decade. It’s a staggering trend, and it’s raising important questions for parents: Why is this happening? And more importantly, what can we do to help?
Why Are So Many Teenage Girls Struggling With Anxiety?
The teen years have always been complicated—but today’s landscape is uniquely challenging:
Social media intensifies comparison, body image concerns, and fear of missing out. Teens are constantly “on,” with few spaces to just be.
Academic pressure has increased, with teens feeling like their future hinges on every grade or performance.
Post-pandemic effects have left many teens emotionally underdeveloped in social confidence and resilience.
Hormonal changes, identity development, and social belonging are all naturally heightened during adolescence—and for girls especially, this often turns inward as worry, perfectionism, or self-doubt.
Anxiety in girls doesn’t always look like panic attacks. It can look like:
“I’m fine” when she’s clearly not
Avoiding school, friends, or once-loved activities
Overthinking everything—from texts to test answers
Tummy aches, headaches, or irritability that come out of nowhere
What Can Help? (Hint: It’s Not About Fixing)
Anxious teens don’t need us to solve every problem—they need us to see them, stay close, and build their capacity to handle hard feelings.Here are three key ways you can support your daughter:
1. Co-Regulate First, Problem-Solve Later
Your calm matters more than your words. Before offering advice, help her settle. That might mean sitting in silence, going for a walk, or just saying, “This feels hard. I’m here with you.”
2. Externalize the Anxiety
Rather than saying “Why are you like this?“, try “When anxiety shows up, what is it saying?” This helps her see anxiety as something separate from her identity—and gives her back some power.
3. Get Support That’s Tailored
Teen girls often benefit most from spaces where they feel seen, heard, and understood. Programs that are structured but not clinical, validating but not coddling, can help girls build real skills—without feeling like something is “wrong” with them.
At the same time, you deserve support too. Whether it’s through a parent support group or learning more about teen mental health, your presence—grounded, curious, and connected—can become one of her greatest resources.You’re Not Alone
Half of Ontario parents have worried about their child’s anxiety.
A quarter have missed work because of it. This is not rare—and it’s not a sign of failure. It’s a sign that we need better support systems for both teens and parents.
If you’re navigating this, consider connecting with a therapist, a structured anxiety program, or a parent circle. Not to “fix” your daughter, but to better understand her world—and your role in helping her grow through it.
Want to learn more about our anxiety support programs for teen girls and parents? Contact us today at hi@straightuphealth.ca or at 647-250-7579 and we’ll create a tailored support package for you.