Stress in childhood
Alternative names:
anxiety in children; childhood stress; fear in children
Information:
DEFINITION
A situation that requires adaptation or change and may cause anxiety. This includes situations that are desired but usually refers to undesirable changes in life (such as illness or injury).
WHAT IS STRESS
Stress is an unavoidable aspect of life. People of all ages can experience stress. Some stress is helpful because it provides motivation. However, excessive stress can build up and interfere with life.
Previous experience, education, and support enable most of us to respond appropriately and allow us to change as circumstances require. Response to stress is both learned and natural and may be appropriate and healthy, or inadequate and unhealthy. Stress can affect the way people think, act, and feel. Humans have natural responses to stress (such as confusion, amnesia, blocking out pain) that allow us to survive while our bodies recognize and respond to severe stresses. Children learn to respond to stress by personal experience and observation. Most stresses experienced by children may seem insignificant to adults, but because children have few previous experiences from which to learn, even situations that require small changes can have enormous impacts on their feelings of safety and security.
Pain, injury, and illness are major stresses for children. Medical treatments are even greater stresses. Recognition of parental stress is a severe stressor for children.
SIGNS OF UNRESOLVED STRESS IN CHILDREN
Children may not recognize that they are stressed. Parents may suspect that the child is excessively stressed if the child has experienced a potentially stressful situation and begins to have symptoms such as:- Physical symptoms
- Emotional or behavioral symptoms
- anxiety
- seems worried or unable to relax
- new or recurring fears (fear of the dark, fear of being alone, fear of strangers)
- clinging, unwilling to let you out of sight
- may or may not ask questions
- anger
- crying
- whining
- inability to control emotions
- agressive behavior
- stubborn behavior
- regression to behaviors that are typical of an earlier developmental stage
- unwilling to participate in familly activities
- unwilling to participate in school activities
HOW CAN PARENTS HELP
Parents can help children respond to stress in healthy ways. Some things parents can do include:- Provide a safe, secure, familiar, consistent, and dependable home.
- Spend calm, relaxed time with your children.
- Encourage questions.
- Encourage expression of concerns, worries, fears.
- Listen to your child without being critical.
- Build your child's feelings of self-worth. Use encouragement and affection. Try to involve your child in situations where they can succeed.
- Use positive encouragement and reward instead of punishment when your child has poor grades or does not succeed at an activity.
- Allow the child opportunities to make choices and have some control in their life.
- Encourage physical activity.
- Develop awareness of situations and events that are stressful for children. These include new experiences, fear or unpredictable outcomes, unpleasant sensations, unmet needs or desires, and loss.
- Recognize signs of unresolved stress in your child.
- Keep your child informed of necessary and anticipated changes.
- Seek professional help or advice when signs of stress do not decrease or disappear normally.
WHAT CAN CHILDREN DO TO RELIEVE STRESS
Children can do some things for themself to help reduce stress. Tips include:- Learn what you can and cannot change. Accept what you cannot change.
- Talk about your problems. If you cannot communicate with your parents, try someone else that you can trust.
- Try to relax. Listen to calm music. Take a warm bath. Close your eyes and take slow deep breaths. Take some time for yourself. If you have a hobby or favorite activity, give yourself time to enjoy it. Remind yourself that YOU are in charge of YOUR happiness.
- Exercise. Physical activity has been shown to reduce stress.
- Set realistic expectations. Do your best, and remember that nobody is perfect.
- Learn to love yourself and respect yourself. Respect others. Be with people who accept and respect you.
- Remember that drugs and alcohol NEVER solve problems.
- Ask for help if you are having problems with stress management.
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The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Copyright 2000 adam.com, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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