What is a common symptom of anxiety in adolescents during medical procedures?

Hyperventilation is a common symptom of anxiety in adolescents during medical procedures. When adolescents experience anxiety, their body's fight-or-flight response is activated, leading to physiological changes such as rapid breathing. This occurs because anxiety can trigger the sympathetic nervous system, which prepares the body to deal with perceived threats. As a result, adolescents may breathe more quickly and shallowly, leading to hyperventilation. This increase in breathing rate can result in decreased carbon dioxide levels in the blood, potentially causing sensations like lightheadedness or tingling in the extremities, which can further heighten anxiety.

In contrast, increased appetite is not typically associated with acute anxiety responses; those feeling anxious often experience changes in appetite due to stress. Excessive laughter and a calm demeanor are also unlikely responses in anxious situations; while some may use laughter as a coping mechanism, it is not a common or reliable indicator of anxiety during medical events. Instead, hyperventilation is a clear physiological manifestation of the stress and fear that can accompany medical procedures for many adolescents.