Young people, like adults,
experience stress. It can come from a variety of sources including doing well
in school, making and sustaining friendships, or managing perceived
expectations from their parents or teachers. Some stress can be positive in
that it provides the energy to tackle a big test; however, too much stress can
create unnecessary hardship and challenge. Adults can sometimes be unaware when
their children or teens are experiencing overwhelming feelings of stress.
Tuning into emotional or behavioral cues is important in identifying potential
problems and working with your young person to provide guidance and support.
Youth of all ages, but especially
younger children, may find it difficult to recognize and verbalize when they
are experiencing stress. For children, stress can manifest itself through
changes in behavior. Common changes can include withdrawing from activities
that used to give them pleasure, complaining more than usual about school,
crying, displaying surprising fearful reactions, clinging to a parent, sleeping
too much or too little, or eating too much or too little, acting out in an
unusual way with others, and also stress can appear in physical symptoms such
as stomach aches and headaches.
Children and teens may also express
feelings of stress by saying negative things about themselves, others, or the world
around them (e.g. “No one likes me,” “I’m stupid,” “Nothing is fun.”). It is
important for parents and teachers to listen for these words and statements and
try to figure out why your child or teen is saying them.
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