Teen Stress
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 11/19/2007 at 03:03PM
What Do Teens Have To Be Stressed Out About?
The most common misconception about children and teens is that their lives are filled with happiness and bliss and void of any insecurities or turmoil. But this couldn't be further from the truth. Adolescence is a time of emotional upheaval, hormonal surges, relationship difficulties, and rebellion. All and all, it's a time of considerable stress.
Stress in teenagers is just as prevalent as in adults. A recent Reuters' survey found that one-third of America's teenagers report feeling stressed on a daily basis. And over two-thirds of teens feel stressed out at least once a week. High-strung parents, high expectations from themselves and from others, abuse, negligence, and family responsibilities are the main causes of childhood and teen stress. Parents may unknowingly add stress to their children's lives by not providing their children with the emotional support they need to cope with daily stresses. Parents sometimes also unwittingly add to the stress of their children by burdening them with their own problems.
Sources of teen stress include:
Performance anxiety in school
Negative self-talk
Hormonal changes
Problems with friends
Parental stress
Separation or divorce of parents
Chronic illness (themselves or a close family member)
Financial worries
A recent move
The death of a loved one
A new school
Too many activities
School bullies or gossip
Do Teens Show Signs of Stress?
Stressed out teens can show their symptoms in a number of ways. Aggression, shyness, phobias, emotional disabilities, apathy, indignation, and rebellion are all common signs of stress in teens. Many teenagers also develop depression as a result of high stress levels.
Signs of a stressed teen include:
Aggression
Frequent headaches or stomachaches
Shyness
Intense phobias
Substance abuse
Coping with Teen Stress: For Parents
Listen to your child. Talk with them about what's going on in their life. Ask about school, work, and their friends. And listen carefully to both their verbal and nonverbal responses. Body language can sometimes yield as much information as words.
Don't burden your child with your problems. Yes, children are part of the family too, and while they may be aware that dad is out of work, they don't need to know every detail of your financial worries. Nor do they need to feel responsible for your relationship difficulties. If you are having problems with your spouse, seek the advice of a trained marriage counselor, not your child.
Teach them how to handle stress. This is an important lesson. And they'll learn not only from what you say, but also from what you do. They next time you feel stressed out, let them know that you're going for a walk to relax or perhaps practice some deep breathing exercises with them.
Don't over schedule your child. If your child is demonstrating signs of stress, take a look at their daily schedule. Do they have time in the evenings to unwind? Do you have enough time together as a family to talk and share your thoughts? Or does your child spend their evening being shuttled from one activity to the next only to collapse at night with their homework half finished?
Praise your child. Make sure that your child is just as aware of the things they do right as they are of those they do wrong. And even though you may not think it needs to be said all of the time, remind them how much you love them as often as you possibly can.
Coping with Teen Stress: For Teens
- Set realistic expectations. There's a so much pressure to be the best at everything. You want to impress your parents with good grades, you want to impress your friends by doing your best at sports, and you want to impress your boyfriend or girlfriend with a nice car or the most attractive body. But in reality, you don't need to impress any of those people. People who love you, will continue to do so regardless of your grades, athletic ability or waist size. Set realistic and achievable goals for yourself to be the best all-around person that you can be.
Manage your time wisely. It's very important for you to have a general idea of the tasks and activities that you want to accomplish on any given day. Try keeping a written calendar of events noting things like test dates, school dances, and family events. And be sure to allow ample time in your schedule for exercise and for relaxing each day.
Talk it out. If you're feeling stressed out, talk to your parents or your school guidance counselor about your problems. Be specific about what's bothering you and be open to any advice you're given for alleviating your stress.
