teen angst
Youth's existential dread
Teen angst is the emotional turmoil characteristic of adolescence—the anxiety, frustration, and alienation that come with navigating identity, social pressure, and the gap between childhood and adulthood.
The phrase often carries a dismissive edge, suggesting the feelings are melodramatic or will pass: It's just teen angst; she'll grow out of it.
Teen angst is a staple of coming-of-age stories and alternative rock lyrics.
- identity crisisLoss of personal certainty
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
finding yourself · high school drama · existential dread · emo · coming-of-age · rebellion · slamming doors · loneliness · silent treatment · bullying · cliques · melancholy · sadness · first heartbreak · self-reflection · overthinking · social isolation · adolescence
- childhoodchildhood, baby, child, kid, toys
- adolescencepuberty, coming-of-age, growing up, adolescent, pubescent
- identityidentity, personal identity, self, selfhood, self-expression
- teen anxietypeer pressure, self-doubt, nervousness, worry, insecurity
- teen behavioreye rolling, back talk, backtalk, door slamming, moodiness
- Emo CultureFall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, skinny jeans, eyeliner, Myspace
teen angstserenity
Undisturbed mental quietude
contentment · inner peace · equanimity · tranquility · emotional stability
teen angstsense of belonging
Feeling included and accepted
self-assurance · self-acceptance · comfortable in one's skin · groundedness · purpose