Teen Stress

Self Esteem > Teen Stress

Danger! Warning Signs of Teen Stress Overload

Are you sad, tired, frustrated, mad, or confused all the time? Do you constantly seem stressed out? These are danger signs that point to stress overload and you should be aware of the warning signs.

Teen stress is a normal part of life as you participate in school, sports and other extracurricular activities, and engage in various relationships. But pressure to excel or outside influences can cause teens to experience too much stress, to the point of an anxiety disorder or other serious mental health problem.

If you suddenly feel or experience the following, pay attention! If you:

Have lost interest in things you used to enjoy
Don't sleep or eat well
Want to be alone and avoid friends and family
Daydream and don't want to do things
Think or talk about suicide or feel that life is just too hard to live
Hear voices
Experience a sudden drop off in your grades
Grieve for an abnormally long time after a death
Feel guilty or worthless
Show extreme anger and/or sadness and overreact to many things
Worry constantly about appearance and/or physical problems
Are afraid constantly
Get multiple headaches and stomachaches
Forget and don't want to study
Withdraw from social situations
Sweat profusely and/or experience an increase in needing to go to the bathroom
Can't make decisions and or concentrate well
Have constant nightmares
Turn to drugs or alcohol
Eat way too much or diet way too much
Exercise obsessively
Break the law and/or hurt others
Take extreme risks

All of the above are danger signs that warn of more serious problems and/or are serious problems in themselves. If you are experiencing any of the above, get help. Additionally, the following questions can help you determine whether you are in danger of stress overload:

Have you recently gone through a traumatic event such as a move, death of a loved one, major relationship change?
Are you frequently teased?
Are you overscheduled with your activities?
Have you experienced any of the above listed physical symptoms (i.e. headaches, tired, low motivation)?
Do you feel emotionally out of control (i.e. extreme anger, sadness, or hopelessness)?

Dealing with stress overload can sometimes be as simple as better prioritizing you life or can be as complicated as needing outside help such as counseling and additional therapy. Speaking with teachers, parents, the family doctor, or counselors can be a first step in determining what is best for you.

Warning Signs of Teen Stress Sources

Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration "Teen Mental Health Problems: What Are The Warning Signs," [online].
Holistic Stress Control Institute, "What is Stress," [online].
Center for Adolescent Health, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, "Confronting Teen Stress, Meeting the Challenge in Baltimore City," [pdf online]