A little stress in a teen’s life is not a bad thing. After all, it can motivate them to finish a paper on time, inspire them to try a little harder on the playing field, and prepare them for the responsibilities of adulthood. But when too many stressors pile up and there’s no relief, they may experience physical and emotional repercussions that require professional intervention.
Chronic stress can lead to physical maladies like high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, obesity, and heart disease. Mental health problems like anxiety and depression can also occur. No parent wants to see their child suffer from stress, but it can be hard to know where to find help when things get serious.
At Guardian Recovery, we understand how challenging it is to see your child struggle with emotional problems and the substance use that sometimes accompanies them. To get them back on track, finding the high-quality help is imperative.
As adolescent behavioral and mental health treatment specialists, we approach your child’s diagnosis with a dual-pronged focus of compassion paired with evidence-based care—all of which is delivered by highly credentialed medical, psychiatric, and behavioral health practitioners. Treating the causes of the conditions and not just the symptoms, we offer a holistic approach to adolescent care.
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Common Sources of Stress Your Teen May Be Experiencing
Stress is the body’s reaction to danger or excitement. Positive things like an upcoming vacation and negative things like bullying can both cause stress. Either type of stimulus—positive or negative—causes the brain to release hormones that can raise blood pressure, heart rate, or blood sugar, much like responding to a threat. Experiences that cause stress in a teen include:- School demands
- Negative thoughts or feelings about themselves
- Changes in their bodies
- Problems with friends and/or peers at school
- Unrest at home
- Chronic illness or death of a loved one
- Moving or changing schools
- Being overbooked with activities
- Expecting too much of themselves
- Feeling the need to equal a peer’s performance
- Family financial problems
Typical Stress Responses From Teens
When a teen begins to falter under the weight of stress, they react in many of the same ways adults do. They may, however, show symptoms earlier than adults because the erratic fluctuation of hormones and dramatic changes in their bodies and brains make them less able to cope. If your teen exhibits the following behaviors regularly, it may be a sign of stress.- Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
- Ongoing irritability
- Feelings of hopelessness or rage
- Being more argumentative
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much
- Changes in appetite, weight, or eating patterns
- Lack of basic hygiene
- Decreased interest in school or worsening concentration
- Using drugs, drinking alcohol, or other risk-taking behaviors
- Neglecting responsibilities and obligations
- Frequent stomach aches or headaches
Mental Health Warning Signs & Behaviors
The teen years bring significant changes to the brain and body leaving young people feeling awkward, confused, and not “themselves.” One of those changes is how they respond to stressors. Stressors that make a child mildly uncomfortable at a younger age might have a much more dramatic impact on them in their teens, causing physical symptoms and risky behaviors.Panic Attacks
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear when there is no true danger. It can trigger severe physical reactions, including:- Pounding heart
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Shortness of breath or the feeling of choking
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Chills or hot flashes
- Out-of-body sensation
- Fear that death is imminent
- Tingling or numb hands, arms, feet, or legs
Self-Harm Signs
Sometimes, stress can cause so much emotional pain a teen may engage in self-harm to distract themselves from mental anguish. Some hurt themselves because it feels good to them, proves they can tolerate pain, or relieves negative feelings. A teen may choose many types of self-harm to turn their inner pain outward and make a quiet plea for help.- Cutting with sharp objects
- Burning with cigarettes, matches, or heated sharp objects, or with chemicals like household cleaning products
- Punching walls or other hard objects
- Scratching/rubbing that leads to skin damage
- Scabs or scars in a particular shape or cluster
- Multiple burns in the same size or shape
- Frequent accidents that lead to new scratches, bite marks, bruising or swelling
- Broken or irritated skin, especially on the arms, wrists, front of thighs, and abdomen
- Issues with impulse control, like they just can’t stop scratching an area of skin
Substance Use
Teens may also turn to substance use to numb or escape from their feelings. If your child begins to hang out with different friends, becomes more secretive than usual, and exhibits any of the following symptoms, they may be using drugs or alcohol.- Glazed or bloodshot eyes
- Frequent runny nose or nosebleeds
- Small track marks on arms or legs or efforts to hide their extremities
- Pupils larger or smaller than usual
- Cold, sweaty palms or shaking hands
- Sores on the mouth
- Headaches
- Sleeping more than usual
- Puffy, swollen face
- Extremely tired or extremely hyperactive
- Rapid weight gain or loss
Complete Breakdown
Extreme unrelieved stress can sometimes result in a mental health crisis or a breakdown in mental health. People in a mental health crisis typically feel physically, mentally, and emotionally overwhelmed by the stress of life. They may not be able to get out of bed or carry out the simple functions of daily living. Some develop paranoia or experience delusions or hallucinations. Those experiencing a complete breakdown can develop suicidal thoughts, self harm, or become violent. If you suspect your child is having a breakdown or may harm themselves or others, it’s crucial to seek immediate help.Aggressive Outbursts
Changes in the adolescent brain may lead to quick changes in mood, sullenness, or anger. Those behaviors are more intense when teens are dealing with extreme stress and may become more frequent. Signs of anger issues in teens may include frequent outbursts, aggressive behavior, withdrawal from family and friends, and difficulty controlling emotions. Intermittent explosive disorder is a formal mental health diagnosis characterized by impulsive anger attacks that are out of proportion with their trigger.1 They can include verbal outbursts, physical violence against others, and the destruction of property.Complimentary Insurance Check
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Physical Indicators of Stress Overload
Physical changes in your teen may be hard to attribute to stress overload because they are similar to symptoms of other issues. But it is important to be on the lookout for changes in your teen so that you can seek holistic treatment as soon as possible. The following changes in physical appearance or health may be signs your teen is overly stressed or is struggling with other issues, including substance misuse.
- Anxiety or extreme agitation
- Lethargy
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Digestive issues
- Muscle pain
- Headaches, dizziness, or feeling disoriented
- Gaining or losing weight
Developing Strategies for Proper Coping & Stress Management
It’s common for teens to get overwhelmed from time to time. Demands of school and extracurricular activities can make life very busy. Trouble at home, peer pressure, and social media add further complications. Often, young people do not know how to moderate the level of stimulation that constantly bombards them. As a parent, you can help your teen develop coping skills to help moderate stress. Simple steps can decrease their risk for stress overload and help them understand the importance of self-care.
A teen’s environment can contribute to them developing an anxiety disorder, so in addition to exploring treatment options, it’s important to take simple steps to decrease their risk.
- Sleep. Teens ages 13 to 18 need eight to 10 hours of sleep per night, but usually get far less. Encourage your child to stick to a regular bedtime and make their sleep space as calm as possible.
- Physical activity. Endorphins, hormones that relieve pain and reduce anxiety, are released when you exercise. Gentle movement, such as yoga or walking, or more intense, like running or playing team sports, both encourage the body to release endorphins and help distract the mind from whatever is causing them stress.
- Balanced diet and hydration. Eating regular, healthy meals and drinking plenty of water improves energy and focus throughout the day. It’s also a good idea to limit caffeinated beverages such as soft drinks or coffee that can cause agitation.
- Meditation and breathing exercises. Even a few minutes being still and quiet and concentrating on the breath can help a teen feel more grounded. There are many mobile apps and meditation playlists available to provide guidance.
Having a schedule or routine is also important for adolescents. Changes do not have to be dramatic. Sometimes, modifying their current schedule is enough to make a difference.
Getting Therapy & Counseling for Your Teen
Many resources are available to help you find the best treatment for your teen. The American Society of Addiction Medicine, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or a state governmental agency can provide names of specialized doctors and drug and alcohol counselors.
When choosing a treatment program for your child, however, finding a center that will customize a program to meet their specific needs is important. Look for a provider that specializes in adolescent care and understands the unique challenges of this special age group. As specialists in adolescent care, Guardian Recovery offers both compassion and expertise in healing not only teens, but also the entire family.
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Discovering your teen is having emotional problems due to stress can feel overwhelming. But receiving evidence-based treatment in an accredited program provides your child with the best chance of long-term recovery. At Guardian Recovery, we are available to walk you through every step of the process.
Most of our compassionate and experienced staff members have been where your child is now or have helped a loved one through the treatment process. Their experience provides them with a unique, empathetic perspective and allows for a deep level of understanding. We offer a full continuum of adolescent care as well as virtual care services.
Behavioral and mental health treatment is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and we are dedicated to helping you find the treatment option that makes the most sense for your child’s unique clinical needs. Reach out to us now for a free and confidential conversation. During the free and confidential call, staff can answer your questions, discuss treatment options, and verify your insurance benefits. If Guardian Recovery seems like a fit, we’ll offer a free initial assessment to help you determine if treatment is warranted and which level of care might be the best place to start.
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Disclaimer: Does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes, as individual results may vary. Our services are not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; please consult a qualified healthcare provider for such matters.
- Scott KM, de Vries YA, Aguilar-Gaxiola S, Al-Hamzawi A, Alonso J, Bromet EJ, Bunting B, Caldas-de-Almeida JM, Cía A, Florescu S, Gureje O, Hu CY, Karam EG, Karam A, Kawakami N, Kessler RC, Lee S, McGrath J, Oladeji B, Posada-Villa J, Stein DJ, Zarkov Z, de Jonge P; World Mental Health Surveys collaborators. Intermittent explosive disorder subtypes in the general population: association with comorbidity, impairment and suicidality. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2020 Jun 23;29:e138. doi: 10.1017/S2045796020000517. PMID: 32638683; PMCID: PMC7327434.
