Episode #19: Psychotherapist Debra Sloss is joined by college student Elena Shain and Santa Cruz psychologist Sheilah Siegel, Ph.D. to discuss the increasing prevalence of anxiety disorders in teens and young adults. Elena courageously shares her story of navigating severe anxiety since she was a young child, her placement in a residential treatment program at age 10, and how, together with her family, she has gained knowledge, about herself and developed skills to better navigate her life. Elena also describes how her service dog Tucker has helped her to manage her symptoms and expand her world. Dr. Siegel helps us understand teen anxiety–its symptoms, treatment approaches, and resources. She also shares coping strategies recommended by her teen and young adult clients. This interview was recorded in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, so we discuss the impact this situation has had on Elena and her family and then we touch on COVID-19-related challenges that youth with pre-existing anxiety conditions are facing. This is Part 1 of a two-show series on teens with anxiety. To learn more, tune in to next month’s show “Part 2: Parenting Teens with Anxiety.”
Broadcast: 6/7/20
Special thanks to Jeanne Baldzikowski for audio production and to Jennifer Young, who assists with research and outreach. And finally, thanks to acoustic guitarist Adrian Legg for composing, performing, and donating the use of our theme music.
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RESOURCES
Books
Don’t Tell Me To Relax! One teen’s journey to survive anxiety (and how you can too) (2019) by Sophie Riegel (Indie Books)
Outsmarting Worry: An older kid’s guide to managing anxiety (2018) by Dawn Huebner (Jessica Kingsley Publishers)
The Anxiety Workbook for Teens: activities to help you deal with anxiety and worry (2008) by Lisa Schab, LCSW (Instant Help Books and Imprint of New Harbinger Books)
Websites
Child Mind Institute – Resources for kids with anxiety
https://childmind.org/topics/concerns/anxiety/
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) – An international nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders through education, practice, and research.
https://adaa.org
TSA Cares – for disability support in airports.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support
College Disability/Accessibility Centers – Connect with the Disability or Student Resource Center at your college. For example: The Accessibility Center (ASC) at Cabrillo College (Aptos, CA) or DRC at Foothill Community College (Los Altos, CA)
Apps you can Download
WorryBreath – box breathing for your worries
UpLift – a cognitive behavioral skill building resource
Worry Kit – bite sized mental health tools
Podcasts
Digital Screen Use – Teen Anxiety & Depression (Episode 7)
Behavioral Health Today, May 12, 2020 – A production of Triad Behavioral Health, where they discuss trending topics in behavioral and mental health. Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify
https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/behavioral-health-today-triad-behavioral-ZOjQyULT4mz/
Service Dog Training
Martyn Canine Behavior (San Francisco Bay Are) – service dog, ESA, pet training and consulting. This is who got and trained Elena’s service dog Tucker. http://www.martyncaninebehavior.com/
Contacts: Ashley Torres or D. Glenn Martyn, martyn4d@aol.com (650) 898-9117
Kindred Spirit: Dog Training with Heart (Santa Cruz, CA) – uses humane training methods based on positive reinforcement and modern training theory and is experienced at training psychiatric service dogs. www.DogTrainNow.com
Contact: Lori Katz, owner/trainer, Lorikatz@aol.com (831) 685-DOGS(3647)
Atlas Assistance Dogs – Organization offers customized service dog training and support to dog trainers and to individuals who qualify to have a certified assistance dog under the Americans with Disabilities Act. www.AtlasDog.org
Other
Family Service Agency (FSA) of the Central Coast is a dedicated underwriter of State of Mind. FSA provides resources, support, and counseling services to adults and children. FSA believes in the power and potential of people of all ages and backgrounds to discover their own creative solutions and welcomes people of diverse cultures, genders, sexual orientations, ages, faiths, socio-economic backgrounds. FSA Counseling Offices offer Medi-Cal, Medicare, and low-cost, sliding scale services in both downtown Santa Cruz 831-423-9444 x200 and in Soquel 831-346-6767 x200. https://fsa-cc.org/
Santa Cruz County Office of Education Alternative Education Program
Dedicated teachers assist students to achieve social, interpersonal and academic success. They inspire students to develop their greatest potential. Low student-to-teacher ratios are provided in a variety of K-12 educational environments. (831) 466-5728 https://santacruzcoe.org/student-services/alternative-education-programs/
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Wonderful and helpful show! I appreciated the courage of Elena in sharing her story and the organized, clear and specific information given by Dr. Siegel. And, of course, Deborah’s skill in asking questions that illuminate, deepen and clarify. Just the fact of talking about anxiety helps lessen the shame so I appreciate the effort that went into putting this conversation into the public discourse.
Thank you Kara for taking the time to share your enthusiasm and support for this show! We hope you will share it with your community and plan to join us next month for the second show in this series, Part II: Parenting Teens with Anxiety.
Warmly,
Debra