Stress and Your Teen
The teen years are an exciting time in one's life—they are full of new experiences, challenges, responsibilities, decisions, and a lot of physical and emotional development. This can be stressful! Teens can have added stress if they feel judged, inadequate, not heard, or not accepted by their peers or family.
Parents need to be aware that stress has the potential to change into adolescent depression. Depression and anxiety can co-occur. Anxiety and worry are common and can be healthy emotions to express, but if a child experiences intense and persistent anxiety early on, and it goes untreated, it can lead to depression in adolescent years. Depression can cause both emotional and behavioral changes. If you think your teen may be suffering from depression, look for some warning signs:
- Changes in behavior or lack of participation in social activities
- Changes in choice of clothing or dressing style
- Changes in grades in school
- Angry reactions to any suggestions or criticism
- Inability to concentrate or focus for long periods of time
- Outbursts of rage or anger, or sudden crying
- Lack of appetite and difficulty sleeping
- Withdrawal from others
A person's brain develops throughout childhood and adolescence and into early adulthood. Teens are going through a huge developmental stage. The amygdala, which is responsible for immediate reactions such as fear and impulse, develops early, but the frontal cortex, which controls reasoning and rational thinking, develops later. Learning how to handle conflict and prioritize responsibilities is difficult for teens, who are often also desiring to fit in with their peers and longing for connection and a sense of belonging. Beginning the journey to discovering one's identity can be a hefty task to take on.
As a parent, is it important you pay attention. How are failure and mistakes handled in your home? Is your child or teen encouraged to freely express their thoughts and process emotions? Creating an open and safe space for your teen to talk about experienced anxiety and depressive symptoms is key. When a teen is experiencing stress and/or depression, remember that everyone possesses protective factors that contribute to their mental health and remind them of their own resiliency. These protective factors include social support, coping skills, physical health, sense of purpose, self-esteem, and healthy thinking. Working to strengthen these can assist when managing anxiety and depression.
Parents can feel frustrated and helpless when their teen is struggling and going through any type of hardship, but do not give up. Education and communication are of utmost importance. Life can be unpredictable, but reminding your teen that anxiety and depression are manageable with treatment and support can instill in them their own sense of resiliency and emotional competency.
Workplace Options. (Reviewed 2024). Stress and your teen. Raleigh, NC: Author.