Another thoughtful message from my longtime radio associate, Jerry Del Colliano. Jerry first worked for me in 1964, then went on to be a program director of multiple stations, the publisher of a radio industry newsletter and, finally, now a consultant and college professor:
Used to be that teens suffered from anxiety due to their hormonal changes and coming of age from adolescence to adulthood.
But the world is fast – very fast.
We are intertwined in social media and connected to people in ways that are not always fulfilling and rewarding.
Anxiety is an epidemic. The Anxiety and Depression Association says that 10% of all teens experience anxiety so severely that it disrupts their lives.
Fleeting thoughts.
Not always knowing what causes the anxiety. Scary stuff.
Many stressed out people turn to drugs and alcohol, but there are healthier ways to help a person who is experience runaway anxiety.
Listen carefully and respectfully to their concerns and remain non-judgmental.
Calm the anxious person but reassure them that anxiety is a natural part of life and that when it sometimes gets out of hand, anxiety can be reduced and they can feel better again.
Draw the person out to explore what situations or what people may be contributing to their anxiety.
Offer praise when this person shows courage to forge ahead in life in the wake of such uneasiness.
Recommend seeking professional help if anxiety lasts longer than six months or if you become very concerned about how they are handling their anxiety.
One of my USC students, a handsome and smart young man with everything going for him approached me one morning before class with tears in his eyes and said, “Professor Del Colliano, I cannot sit in this classroom”.
At first I joked and said, “Oh, you’ve seen my lesson plan”.
But soon it became apparent that he was so upset that to require him to do anything would be useless.
So I gave him the option to sit in the back of the room or leave as long as he returned to my office later in the day so I could try to be of help privately.
He sat in the last row. Walked me to my office after class. We chatted and he talked. I listened. He got help. I suggested a diet with less sugar in it because sugar contributes to anxiety and we eat a lot of it in our daily diet.
I shared my own anxiety.
He won the battle and was forever grateful – not for any magic solution – but for allowing him to see his own anxiety and come up with his own plan to overcome it.
Final Thought … with these words from the Scriptures:
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up” – Proverbs 12:25
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” – 1 Peter 5:7
Marlin
