Stress Symptoms in Children

Stress symptoms in children are mostly inflicted as a result of different unpleasant incidents happening around them. Sometimes, disturbances in the family can also reflect as stress symptoms in children...

Most people may remain unconvinced when they hear about children undergoing any kind of stress. After all, they are the ones who enjoy life to the fullest; eat, play, sleep and always have their dear parents to care for them. However, it's not always the same with the young minds. Though tender, they also have their own perception, feelings and mindset which, are also subjected to get afflicted in a negative manner. In most cases, as has already been mentioned, stress symptoms in children could be a mere manifestation of any critical phase, which their family members might be going through. These symptoms can range from simple nervous states to a number of physical symptoms. Some of the most common stress symptoms in children have been cited in the following description, apart from the causes.

Causes of Stress in Children

In preschoolers, separation from parents may become a prime source of stress symptom. Family matters such as divorce, frequent fights between parents or even stress and anxieties among parents have been known to result in stress symptoms in children. Sometimes, changing the location, the passing away of a dear person, intensive extracurricular activities, academic pressure or peer pressure also develop in the form of stress symptoms in children.

Symptoms of Stress in Children

When children come across any kind of stress, their body reacts to it by releasing adrenaline (a catecholamine secreted by the adrenal medulla, in response to stress). This chemical, when released frequently or for a prolonged period of time, results in different kinds of physical and emotional symptoms of stress in children.

Physical stress symptoms in children may appear in the form of skin diseases, frequent infections, asthma, fever, sleep disorders, headaches and most commonly stomach aches. Weight gain or weight loss, bed-wetting and picking on skin, are also some of the symptoms.

Behavioral changes such as being aggressive and more irritable than normal, getting frustrated easily, getting bored or disobeying instructions coming from parents or teachers, make up for the emotional stress symptoms in children. Isolation tendencies, confuse feelings and guilt feelings and lying without reason count for some of the severe stress symptoms in children.

Some children who are subjected to extreme stress also come up with what is known as a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD). Its a behavioral disorder which results from severe stress. Some of the post traumatic stress symptoms in children are heightened fear or anxiety, high sensitivity to loud or sudden noises, aches and pains and loss of interest in their usual play or friends. Such children do not seem to have any kind of fun in their lives as normal kids do.

Parents may also notice their children getting withdrawn from indulging in sports, family activities and performing poorly in their academic careers.

Anxiety, depression, bearing a negative approach or perception, low self-confidence and falling for drugs and alcohol consumption are the common symptoms which are visible in teens.

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Treatment for Stress

Plenty of rest and nutritious diet are the two most efficient methods to cope with stress symptoms in children. However, involvement and responsible parenting has no alternative, when it comes to helping children cope with their stress and its different unpleasant symptoms. Do not let your kids be separated from you through a communication gap. Its important to spend some quality time with your kids and helping them pour out their heart to you. Many a times, stress in kids are lessened between them and their parents, through mere talking. Having a talk with your kids will help you to root out the causes of stress and together you can come up with the solution. Read more on natural cure for stress.

Though, its not possible for every parent to fetch some time out for their kids after having been through a busy day. However, showing a bit of interest in the kids' days work will help them to realize that even the things they do are equally important.

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Its also important for parents to take a note of when your kids start behaving aggressively or ill-mannered towards you. It would not be wise for you to react in the same way. Its difficult to calm down a child who is being too aggressive. However, understand that, they are not doing it on purpose and that there should be some reason to it. So, being calm and assertive will help you to pin-point the causes and most importantly, help your child to fight all such stress symptoms in children as cited above.