How can I help my teen manage stress?
Stress is a normal part of life and learning how to manage it is important for good health in the teen years and beyond. But a constant state of stress can put young adults – particularly youth between 11 and 18
– at greater risk for lifelong physical and mental health illnesses. Child and adolescent clinical psychologist at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital Sonya Dinizulu, PhD, talks about the triggers and symptoms, healthy coping skills and when to seek professional help.
What are the most common teen stressors?
Relationships between parents and adolescents, as well as sibling-to-sibling relationships, can become strained and stressful as teens test their roles and identities. Navigating a shifting social life and increasing social demands can be stressors. Dealing with a significant life event in the family, for example, a serious illness, death, divorce, or chronic community stressors such as community violence or poverty can further complicate a teenager’s situation. If not addressed, a combination of any of these stressors may lead to persistent mental health challenges.
What are the symptoms?
Physical signs may include constantly getting sick, losing or gaining weight, stomach pains, and over or under sleeping. They may also have changes in eating habits. Examples of emotional and behavioral symptoms include declining academic performance, withdrawing from activities, irritability or anger, anxiety, sadness, becoming defiant or becoming verbally or physically aggressive.
What strategies do you recommend for parents and other caring adults of a teen under stress?
Encourage healthy habits — a nutritious diet and good sleep hygiene – and use stress management strategies, such as meditation, walking and exercising to moderate your teenager’s stress. Be good role models by adopting these strategies in your lives. Analyze the strengths and use resources in your family, social and faith-based networks to support the adolescent.
What should parents do when they become concerned?
Start by talking to the teen about the symptoms they are observing. Ask if he or she can identify the stress trigger. Some families are able to help the teen by taking an active role — problem solving and using their strengths to collaborate on managing and coping with stress. If there is no improvement, families should seek professional counseling. Other families prefer to get assistance from a professional early on. Counseling can help the adolescent address the stressor, assist the family with coping strategies and prevent further problems from arising.