Coping With Stress In Children

This is a physical response. But emotions are mixed in as well. When Megan W., age 15, feels stressed she says, “I get a really big attitude or I get really sad. I often cry or yell.” 3 The challenge of the teen years adds to the stress.
Stress and Adolescence
“Adolescence is the extraordinary period of dynamic change when a person moves from childhood to adulthood,” according to a 2007 report from the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. “During this transition, adolescents must cope with dramatic changes in their bodies, feelings, perspectives, and environments.” The report discusses the stresses teens face due to being teens.
Teens are pulled in several directions at once. They are caught between friends and family even as they move toward self-reliance, the report explains. “They will experience unfamiliar situations, pressures, desires, and challenges for which they have no prior frame of reference and often are not fully prepared to deal with effectively on their own.” Doctors and psychologists have studied stress in children and teens. All children must deal with the challenges of growing, explains Aaron T. Ebata, Ph.D, human development specialist. Going through puberty is hard. Changes take place. They must cope with new feelings. Add to this the wishes of parents, teachers, friends. Balancing it all is demanding.“And some kids may have to deal with things that their peers don’t have to face, such as the death of a family member or moving to a new town.
Most children meet these challenges successfully and grow into healthy adults. Other have a harder time coping with their problems.” In addition to the challenges of growing, changes add to stress. A new school, divorce, or the loss of a pet or loved one all cause stress. This type of stress or centers around not knowing what to expect. A new routine or grief over loss create doubt. Doubt builds tension. Tension triggers stress.