01/21/2026
In high-achieving teens, anxiety often hides in plain sight.
It may look like over-preparing, perfectionism, irritability, difficulty sleeping, or a sudden drop in motivation. Sometimes it shows up as avoidance of school, assignments, activities, or anything that risks “not measuring up.”
When a teen is still performing, it can be tempting to assume they’re fine. But success on the outside can coexist with intense pressure on the inside.
A more helpful question than “Are they doing well?” is often:
“What is it costing them to keep doing well?”