Stress in Adolescence

Stress

Stress refers to experiencing events that are perceived as endangering one's physical or psychological well-being.

Stressors may be the source of people's stress. Stress within your comfort zone can help you perform under pressure and motivate you, but when it becomes overwhelming, it can damage your mood, relationships, and health.

Recognizing the symptoms and causes of stress is the first step to reducing its harmful effects.

What You Can Do to Relieve Stress

• Move your body frequently; don't sit for more than an hour.
• Make supportive face-to-face contact a priority.
• Listen to music that energizes you.
• Visualize a peaceful scene in detail.
• Adopt a healthy, mood-boosting diet.
• Get the restful sleep you require.

What is Stress?

Stress is your body's way of responding to any kind of demand or threat. When you feel threatened, stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are released to prepare your body for action.

This is also called the "fight or flight" response, which is your body's way of protecting you in emergency situations.

Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Stress

Cognitive Symptoms

• Memory problems
• Inability to concentrate
• Poor judgment
• Seeing only the negative
• Anxious or racing thoughts
• Constant worrying

Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms

• Depression or general unhappiness
• Anxiety and agitation
• Moodiness, irritability, or anger
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Loneliness and isolation
• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Procrastination or neglecting responsibilities
• Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
• Nervous habits (e.g., nail-biting, pacing)

Physical Symptoms

• Aches and pains
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea, dizziness
• Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
• Loss of sex drive
• Frequent colds or flu

Causes of Stress

External Causes

• Major life changes
• Work or school
• Relationship difficulties
• Financial problems
• Being too busy
• Children and family

Internal Causes

• Chronic worry
• Pessimism
• Rigid thinking, lack of flexibility
• Negative self-talk
• Unrealistic expectations or perfectionism
• All-or-nothing attitude

Characteristics of Stressful Events

• Traumatic events
• Controllability
• Predictability
• Major life changes
• Internal conflicts

Psychological Reactions to Stress

• Anxiety: experienced when a person feels threatened.
• Anger & Aggression
• Apathy & Depression
• Cognitive Impairment

Physiological Reaction to Stress

Do you fight or flee under stress?

Examples: Stand your ground, defend your position, give up, retreat, move on, persevere, etc.

Coping Skills

Problem-Focused Coping: Define the problem, generate alternatives, and weigh the costs and benefits.

Emotion-Focused Coping: Prevent emotions from overwhelming you, enabling action to solve problems.

Psychological Factors & Reactions to Stress

Psychoanalytic Theory

Behavioral Theory: Involves cognitive, affective, and biological events.

Support Systems and Spirituality

Pray, it really works! Spiritual relationships, like with God, can be powerful tools for coping with stress. Support systems also help relieve stress.