Teenagers and Stress
By Lisa Watt, RN, PNP

Believe it or not, teenagers can experience as much stress in their everyday lives as adults. It may not be related to bills, bosses or raising a family, but the combined pressures of growing up in today's increasingly busy world do add up. School, homework, problems with friends or family, taking on too many activities, not to mention dealing with major physical changes and social pressures, are things that teens say cause stress.

A little bit of stress now and then is not always a bad thing. Let's face it, stress motivates people. But experiencing extreme worry or anxiety on a daily basis is something different. Chronic stress is common among teenagers, and can lead to health problems, depression or even suicide. If your child has frequent health complaints that have no physical explanation, they may be stress related. Watch for symptoms such as upset stomach, diarrhea headaches or backaches; difficulty sleeping and/or eating; nervousness, irritability or frustration.

Parents sometimes minimize the stress experienced by their children. It may seem like your teen is overreacting but remember this is probably the first time they're dealing with stress in their lives. What doesn't seem overwhelming to you can still feel overwhelming to them. Teenagers lack both the experience and the foresight to understand that problems in life come and go. As a result, they may view a problem as permanent and feel trapped. Teens also have strong emotions, which can distort an experience, making everything seem like a crisis.

Teens need concrete skills to deal with stress. If you've ever been told "just relax" then you know how unhelpful this advice is when you're under pressure. Start by talking to your child about what's happening. Identify stress for what it is - a reaction to unmet expectations. Gain an understanding of what they think is the problem. You may find that they have unrealistic goals for school, grades or home life. Ask what helps and what doesn't help. Have them suggest changes, like going to bed one hour earlier or getting homework finished before sports practice.