Natural help for anxious adolescents

Pauline McKinnon
Among other engagements, each year I present workshops in senior schools. At one particular college, my contribution is part of a health and well-being day where professionals offering a variety of such modalities share their skills at Year 11 level. The students participate in workshops of their personal choice. So following a bracing session with a well-known footballer, the first of several groups of about a dozen adolescent boys and girls arrived for the interesting contrast of Stillness Meditation - the natural therapy we practice at the Life Development Centre for stress and anxiety management.

These young people were really keen to learn. Some had knowledge of meditation generally, some had been to a few Yoga sessions where they were introduced to that aspect of mind-body ease and most were aware that the discovery of a meditative skill could assist them in their lives.

In exploring the meaning of stress and anxiety I chose to incorporate drawing into our time together. This was enthusiastically received with some creating hearts that were coloured red and clearly thumping. In black, some captured knots or tightness in the stomach while others described a spinning head, pounding headache or racing mind. There were yellow or green sketches of neck and muscle pain throughout the body and fuzzy indications of feeling overwhelmed. Some drew all of the above - and more! So as a group we recognized that we understood each other and the kids were very receptive to the concept of 'just being still.'

The symptoms pictorially described at that workshop reflect those experienced generally among young people today. Often these become severe to the extent of 'anxiety disorder.' As adults also experience, such symptoms of anxiety may include muscle tension, fatigue, irritability, apprehension, frustration, anger, lack of concentration, nausea, 'butterflies' in the stomach, headaches, sweating, breathlessness, sleeplessness, lack of confidence, withdrawal, depression and the extreme symptoms of insecurity such as panic, obsessive behaviour or abnormal preoccupations with food.

If we discuss these symptoms further we usually find that worry has become anxiety, leading to heightened nervous and physical tension. We then discuss the importance of true relaxation , especially the ability to relax the mind so that the learned cycle comprised of stress, anxiety and tension must - and can be properly broken. This then allows young people to become calm, symptom free and able to renew their strength and coping ability.

There is a great deal to cope with in the adolescent's world. Though many are happily getting on with their lives, even the most composed young people face numerous issues to juggle. One of the most important of these is the process of separation from their parents as they form their own identity and explore their own values.

This process of development brings significant life questions such as - who am I, where am I going, what is my career future, how do I find security, what is worthwhile, what is my sense of the spiritual, do I or don't I believe in God, what is happening to the environment, what of the unjust distribution of wealth in the world, what has the older generation created for us to care for now? Feelings of negativity and doubts as to a meaningful future are evident as living in today's world presents global conditions such as nations at war, the threat of terrorism and the greenhouse effect. Fears arise and disappointments, contradictions, hurts and injustices abound.

Then there are the stress factors which evolve from commonplace matters such as belonging within the peer group, interacting in relationships, exploring sexuality, dealing with conflict, coping with study and assignment deadlines, managing the day's work (whether at school or in employment), integrating technology, enduring illness, solving learning problems, evaluating media influence, attending to responsibilities, performing and presenting and perhaps worrying about members of their family or friends.

As well as living with the 'normal' challenges mentioned above, there are those adolescents who may also be dealing with family discord and brokenness, financial issues or the pain of separation, loss, loneliness and grief. These high-risk stress candidates are often severely impaired by disruptions beyond their control. They may experience a level of anxiety that has the power to destroy lives in one way or another, should those lives lack stamina.

In some cases where little support within the home has led to feelings of disconnectedness, young people are left confused and without hope or direction. Others may feel they are not reaching society's expectations, or the expectations of their parents. They struggle with the anxiety where on the one hand they are living with a sense of failure, yet the concept of failure cannot be tolerated. Or others simply feel misunderstood, unwanted and unloved. Painful issues like these are often the springboard for more problems and if they are hurting badly, some may resort to self-mutilation as they cry for help or attention; or relief may be sought in rebellious activities or in the abuse of dependencies such as, smoking, alcohol, sex and drugs.

Though these problems and issues can be registered, discussed and understood rationally, logically and intellectually, the anxiety surrounding them occurs within the emotions. Therefore to find long term symptomatic relief and the ability to manage anxiety, change at an emotional level must take place. Our work at the Life Development Centre confirms that the practice of stillness can help young people in the following ways:

  The mental relaxation found in Stillness Meditation, lessens anxiety and tension by reaching a different level of mental function.

With less anxiety and less tension a more generally relaxed and easy response becomes the normal response.

When responding with ease, personal resilience and the ability to manage life calmly is more readily available.

The likelihood of future anxiety or stress reaction is prevented or lessened.

Adolescents are usually very aware of their symptoms and the difficulties they are dealing with and provided they are not feeling pushed by their parents, are only too ready to take on the practice of stillness and triumph in the changes as they occur.

Kaye Hakopian our expert in adolescent anxiety relief and management has provided the following from her current case studies:

  1. Simon, aged 13, had always been a restless sleeper. Increasing difficulty in getting to sleep was impacting on all aspects of his life.

  Tiredness during the day impaired concentration in the classroom and fatigue was affecting his performance and motivation for the many sports he loved. As Simon's anxiety about his sleep grew, so did his frustration and anger, culminating in angry outbursts at home.

  He responded positively to his initial experience of Stillness Meditation Therapy (SMT) and was keen to practice at home while attending weekly individual sessions at the Centre. These hourly sessions began with 20 minutes of Stillness Meditation followed by discussion to support the integration of this into his life and his general understanding and management of his feelings. Sometimes art activities were included to illustrate these and the tension surrounding them.

  As Simon learned to relax and to let go more and more, his anxiety decreased and everything became easier. After five individual sessions he began attending the adolescent group at the Centre. Simon's mature attitude and perseverance in bringing about change lead him to feel benefits quite quickly. He accepted the simplicity of this natural approach and now has a skill to ensure he can fulfil his life potential.

  2. Kate was a Year 12 student who rated her stress level between 8 and 9 on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high). She was a highly capable student, a form captain, striving to keep up a 'packed' timetable and feeling she must please everyone. She laughed about her social life, saying she didn't have one.

  Kate identified tension in her back and neck and recognised her anxiety symptoms - 'I get this awful feeling in my stomach, hot flushes and I cannot concentrate.' Her parents' divorce, their expectations that she do well plus the pressure she put on herself were all stressful. Her feelings of anger, sadness (frequently crying) and loss of motivation were making her feel more stressed. Her usual ways of coping - trying to calm down and taking breaks - 'don't seem to work.'

  Keen to learn how to 'simply be' in the simplicity of stillness, Kate's primary reason for seeking help at the Centre was so that she could use time more effectively and achieve her goals.

  As she learned to let go of tension she experienced some feelings of apprehension at first - a reflection of her high anxiety. With reassurance and encouragement to repeat the stillness experience regularly, these feelings were replaced with a sense of ease which she is currently learning to take into the rest of her life.

  In stillness, adolescents, and this also applies to all age groups, are provided with an experience where they are fully relaxed and free from over-stimulus or excessive nervous impulses. From this they can be significantly helped to freedom from anxiety and to live life serenely in a positive and more fulfilling way.

  Pauline McKinnon
Life Development Centre
146-150 Harp Road
Kew Vic 3101 Australia
(03) 9817 2933
www.stillnessmeditation.com
 Pauline McKinnon is a long-recovered anxiety sufferer, author, family therapist and principal practitioner at the Life Development Centre in Melbourne . Her audio recording Let's Be Still, introduces children and adolescents to Stillness Meditation and is available on CD by contacting the Centre above OR through ADAVIC's Online Bookstore at: http://www.adavic.org/bookstore/index.htm

For appointments with Kaye Hakopian at the Centre, please telephone the number above.

A Stillness Meditation Day for all ages will be conducted through ADAVIC on 9 October (see more details here.)

The above CD is now available for purchase from our online Bookstore or you could ring us on (03) 9853-8021 or email us at adavic@adavic.org