Stress is normal, and everyone experiences it in response to dangerous or threatening situations. During stress, your body responds by producing physical and psychological reactions. The responses are often positive, keeping you alert to danger, motivated, or adaptable to new situations. Stress in itself is not an illness. However, when you experience it frequently increases the risk of psychological health conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, and substance abuse.
Stress causes physical changes that range from mild to severe. The symptoms can be cognitive, physical, emotional, or behavioral. Under stress, your body’s autonomic nervous system takes control. The system regulates the function of your internal organs, including your heart, stomach, and intestines. When you sense danger, your muscle starts tensing, your heart rate and breathing increase, and your short-term memory become more effective, preparing your body for fight or flight.
Common things that result in stress among teenagers include:
If you know that a teen or pre-teen is going through a difficult time, look for behavioral changes or things that signal that they are experiencing excessive stress. These include:
Stress management requires various techniques and programs that help in the reduction and control of stress level, prevent and cope with situations that increase and give stress.
Some of the very effective methods to manage stress are talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapies.
Apart from the conventional treatment methods, psychotherapists also focus on alternative methods because every individual is different and so are their stress related conditions. Music therapy, color therapy, meditation-based therapies are some of them.
Thus it is advised to consult an experienced psychotherapist who can identify the causes of stress and recommend the suitable stress management method.
Our psychotherapist at Kick Start Therapy has experience in handling mild to extreme mental conditions caused by stress. We can identify the triggers of stress in pre-teens and teens and develop a plan to manage them. We also provide a detailed framework for parents to cope with their pre-teen o teenage child and help them in the right manner.
If you are looking for a safe place to let go of your stress, we are always listening.
