How much anxiety is expected in teenagers?

How do you know that he is anxious? What are the signs and symptoms? Alot of the worry that goes on with teenagers is brought about through their not being told how life actually works. People, thinking they are protecting them, leave them defenseless with few coping tools. It is normal for teens to share very few feelings. They are no longer children and have a strong sense of self...their privacy is extremely important to them. If he isn't showing signs of stress at school and you aren't noticing a change in performance there is probably little you can do for him. He is past the point of being able to be open for some reason. YOu might talk with your son's guidance counselor to see if there are things happening at school that you are unaware of, but if your son chooses to handle things on his own, you have little choice but to simply be available and supportive.

I think alot of it is normal teenage stuff. So much is going at that age. School, freinds, family...and don't even start on all the crazy body stuff that is going on. There is a lot of worry about from a teenage perspective, and any little embarassment can seem like the end of the world. That said, keep an eye that his worrying isn't so extreme that he stops eating or sleeping. There is worrying (and I'm a worrier), but there there is being totally paralyzed by it. It sounds like you are a good mom to notice his worry. Just keep an eye on him and let him know that he can come to you for anything...and I mean anything. Trust is so important. For the most part, kids have to find their way through their adolecence themselves, but it's good to have mom there as a safetly net.