Teens experience stress on a regular basis. They might feel stressed before taking the SATs, when they walk up to see if their name is on the list of the teens who made the varsity soccer team or when they find out that their parents are getting a divorce. Stress is a healthy response to danger and anxiety-provoking situations, but too much stress can cause teens to develop mental health problems such as anxiety disorders and depression.
Physical Illnesses
Lifespan, a website for Rhode Island's health system, reports that increased physical illnesses such as stomachaches and headaches can result from stress overload. Your teen might complain that she has muscle pains and feels tired more than normal. If your teen is dealing with a lot of stressors at one time, his body might respond in physical ways. Many times parents will take their teens to the doctor due to physical complaints, and the doctor won't be able to find any medical cause for the ailments.
Anxiety and Panic Attacks
According to Teens Health, a website run by the nonprofit Nemours Center for Children's Health Media, anxiety and panic attacks are a clear sign that a teen is suffering from too much stress. A teen might begin having panic attacks if she's being bullied in school, if she feels extreme amounts of pressure to succeed or if she's experienced a trauma. Symptoms of a panic attack include loss of control, fear, trouble breathing, chest pain, nausea, rapid heart rate, trembling, chills and hot flashes.
Mood Changes
A stressed teenager is likely to suffer from moodiness and irritability. He might seem happy one minute and get upset the next minute. He's more likely to start arguments with his parents, peers and teachers if he's under a lot of stress. The moodiness might cause issues in relationships with friends and family members.
Issues Sleeping
A teen that's stressed might lie in bed awake for hours worrying and not be able to fall asleep. Once she does fall asleep, it's likely that she'll wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to go back to sleep.
Isolation
Teens that experience stress overload are more likely to isolate themselves and withdraw from friends and family members than teens who aren't under a lot of stress, according to Lifespan. Your teen might refuse to come downstairs for family dinners, stop hanging out with his friends after school and quit answering the phone when his girlfriend calls.
Problems Concentrating
Many times stress causes problems concentrating. A teen might not be able to finish her math exam because she can't focus. She might have a hard time turning in school projects on time, finishing household chores and paying attention during school lectures.
