At the Source: Teenagers and Stress
While childhood is a time of freedom and joy, adolescence quickly becomes a period of stress. For teenagers, the sudden physical and emotional changes of their teenage years, along with the pressures of society, can be too much. Many teenagers suffer from severe stress, stress that leads to depression, anxiety and even suicide. Parents and adults often have trouble sympathizing with these young men and women because they do not understand the exact causes of the stress. Biologically, adolescents experience multiple changes in a short period of time, and what was previously easy to deal with becomes difficult. Teenagers and stress is a topic of growing concern, as the consequences are severe, and the causes are becoming increasingly common.
Setting the Standard
Teenagers and stress is a popular subject in psychology and counseling. Every year, it becomes harder to be an adolescent. Many teenagers are unable to cope with simple problems, and when a tragic event occurs, the result can be devastating. Teenagers and stress is a daily risk, both in the home and in school. Family problems, financial problems, too little time and too many activities are all situations the average adolescent deals with, yet these external problems can often be too much on top of the internal changes. Consequently, adolescents break under a pressure far less than that of what adults can handle, and adults cannot understand this. However, in order to help the problem of teenagers and stress, parents and teachers need to find that understanding.
Everyday stress can quickly pile up, and then, when something truly catastrophic happens, the outcome can be deadly. The sudden death of a loved one, a divorce in the family or a chronic illness can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, drug abuse and even suicide. Teenagers especially are not emotionally capable of dealing with such stressful situations, not when they have trouble as it is dealing with day-to-day life. However, if teenagers are taught self-control strategies, they can help combat the daily stresses; counting to ten or taking deep breaths can quickly alleviate smaller anxieties, so when something big does happen, they have the emotional strength to deal with it safely through talking or emoting versus self-injury. Adults must exist in-between teenagers and stress, working to prevent the problem rather than judge the resulting actions.
Parents and teachers can find solve the problem of teenagers and stress by simply being there. They can monitor a teenager's health and behavior, and ask about their feelings. They can listen and they can support. They can push adolescents to participate in sports and other activities, anything to keep their minds off the stresses and anxieties of the teenage years. Most importantly, they can help teenagers find their own individual self-control strategies, whether they be exercise or other relaxation skills. By being there, adults can help teenagers cope with stress, and can ensure that they are not lost along the way.
