Stress in Toddlers and Adolescents

1. Glaring Realities

2. Stress & Eustress

3. Stress, Anxiety and Stressor

4. Types of Stress: Acute and Chronic

5. Identify Stress in Toddlers

6. Identify Stress in Adolescents

7. Self-regulation strategies

Let us begin by looking at some obtrusive statistics concerning the mental health conditions in developing children and recognise the gravity of the situation.

Furthermore, let us interpret ‘Stress’ in a simple, comprehensive way such that we can employ the data to resolve complex situations practically at home.

GLARING REALITIES:

1. Mental health conditions account for sixteen per cent of the global burden of disease and injury in individuals aged 10-19 years. One in six individuals is aged 10-19 years.

2. Approximately half of all mental health conditions start by fourteen years of age. In most cases, they remain unidentified and untreated. The profound implications of not addressing adolescent mental health conditions progressively extend to adulthood. It impairs both; physical and mental health. It limits the opportunities for the child to enjoy a fulfilling life as an adult.

3. Sadly, globally depression is one of the leading causes of illness, disability and incapacity among adolescents.

STRESS & EUSTRESS

Medically, stress is the body’s response to physical, mental, or emotional pressure. It can come from any event or thought that causes a person to feel upset, frustrated, angry, or nervous.

Yet another definition of stress is:

It is the gap between our expectations and what we get in reality. The bigger the gap more critical is the level of stress.

Stress is a normal feeling and is many times good too!

Stress can be positive, such as when it helps you escape danger or meet a deadline.

Good stress has a name; it is called EUSTRESS.

Eustress results in an emotionally positive feeling of contentment, inspiration. It also helps us stay motivated, work towards goals, and feel good about life.

Psychologically, it enhances effectualness, autonomy, and resilience.

Physically, eustress helps us develop our bodies. For example, it helps through completing a challenging workout and improves performance.

STRESS/ANXIETY/ STRESSORS

Most of us think that stress and anxiety are the same. Let us adequately understand the fundamental difference between the two with an example.

Supposing; you finish shopping for food and are crossing the road. You see a dog. The dog is not doing anything to you. However, it is only growling at another street dog.

As you cross the road, ‘what if…’ thoughts begin to bother you. You think to yourself, what if the dog comes running towards me and sniffs food in my shopping bag? You promptly forget about the growling of the dog at another dog. Instead, you think about the dog biting you.

The situation continues. By the time you finish imagining horrifying stories about street dogs, you are already midway through to your home. The dog is nowhere around you, but you continue to think about the dog. You go home and inform the neighbours of the trouble street dogs are creating in your vicinity and how scared you were.

Conclusion:

You experience stress when you see the dog growling at the other dog.

After the dog is gone, you continue to remain scared; it is called anxiety. ‘Anxiety’ is the stress you experience even when the dog is not around.

The dog is the STRESSOR.

TYPES OF STRESS:

There are two main types of stress; Acute and Chronic Stress

Acute Stress:

It is short-term stress that goes away quickly. You experience it when you apply brakes in your car, fight with your peers. It also occurs when you do something new or exciting. All people have acute stress at one time or another.

Chronic Stress:

It is the stress that lasts for a longer time. You may experience chronic stress if you have prolonged financial problems, an unhappy relationship, or a troubled work environment. Stress that goes on for weeks or months is chronic. You may become so used to chronic stress that you may not realise it is a problem that needs addressing.

If you do not identify ways to understand and manage stress at the right time, it may lead to multiple health issues.

STRESS IN TODDLERS

We all know that infants and toddlers experience stress just as adults experience it. However, it is expressed differently in different age groups.

Now, let us understand how to identify stress in toddlers; who do not know how to express what they are experiencing.

IDENTIFY STRESS IN TODDLERS

Now, look out for these familiar issues to recognise if your toddler is stressed out:

1. Sleep disturbances

2. Bedwetting/Enuresis (passing urine in places other than the toilet)

3. Soiling/Encporesis/Fecal Incontinence

4. Change in appetite leading to weight loss or weight gain

5. Sudden change in behaviours and habits

6. Tiredness or lack of energy

7. Upset stomach

8. Dropping things

9. Falling often than before

10. Crying loudly or sobbing even while sleeping

You can refer to my book “WINNING STRATEGIES FOR PARENTS: Helping Your Child Excel at Home and School.”https://gayatrikalrasehgal.com/winning-strategies-for-parents/

It will provide you with in-depth information about how to understand and deal with these issues at home and if the child needs any medical intervention, and when to approach a doctor for advice.

STRESS IN ADOLESCENTS

How does stress affect adolescents?

If two adolescents are in an identical stressful situation, one adolescent may be more sensitive to the stress hormone; Cortisol and may experience its effects more directly compared to other adolescents who react more casually to stress; in the same situation.

IDENTIFY STRESS IN ADOLESCENTS

Stress can cause many types of mental, physical and emotional challenges. Many times, one does not realise that some of the evident symptoms are due to stress.

Here are some signs that stress may be affecting the children and adolescents:

1. DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES

I. Gastrointestinal issues

II. Hunger pangs at odd hours

III. Eating more sugar

IV. Change in weight (increase or decrease in weight)

V. Diarrhoea or constipation

VI. May develop food intolerance or sensitivity

VII. Lack of energy or tiredness

2. LOSS OF MEMORY

I. In children and adolescents may experience forgetfulness or loss of memory. The child may lose belongings often. The child will keep things at a particular place and forget.

II. The child may exhibit a lack of focus.

For more information, you may refer to my book, SUPER CHILD! Unlocking the Secrets of Working Memory https://gayatrikalrasehgal.com/super-child-unlocking-the-secrets-of-working-memory/

3. PAINS AND MORE

I. Frequent aches and pains

II. Abdominal migraines

III. Headaches

IV. Stiff neck

V. Allergies such as Asthma attacks, Hives, Sneezing, Dizziness

VI. They may feel off-balance. The condition is called Equilibrioception.

VII. Panic attacks

VIII. Rapid breathing or a racing heartbeat.

4. PUBERTY ISSUES

Hormones may play havoc. The child or the adolescent may experience physical and emotional stress. Offer them precise information. A well-informed child will be able to comprehend things more reasonably.

5. SLEEP DISTURBANCES

I. Sleeping less or too much

II. Wakes up in the middle of the night

III. Gets nightmares with cold hands or feet, or may even get cold sweats

IV. The child may use alcohol or drugs to relax.

6. SOCIAL ASPECTS

I. Withdraws from social circles – avoids meeting peers, prefers solitude or being alone.

II. Sits alone and looks at a distance without moving a muscle for a long time

III. Excess of screen time; a way of avoiding social interactions

7. SPEECH IMPEDIMENTS

The speech gets affected due to stress. For example, if an individual performs on the stage, the speech of the individual changes.

It sometimes gets muffled.

The individual may speak at a considerably higher pace with a low volume. It is commonly called stage fright. Stress induces stage fright. The stage and the audience become the stressors.

8. RECURRING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

The age group of 10 to 19 years; is impressionistic, and children absorb all sorts of information available in their environment.

If the environment is positive and encouraging, children and adolescents grow up as confident adults.

Now, here is a situation I demand you to think about carefully.

Imagine a situation; at the tender age of 10 years. The child gets exposed to the evils like poverty, domestic violence, divorce, death of a pet. Which area or areas of development do you think gets most affected? Will this child grow up as a well-balanced and responsible citizen with a positive mindset?

As a parent, clean your lens and perceive your child as a young individual.

To break the reoccurrence of negative thought patterns, what are the issues that need to be rectified at the present moment to provide your child with a positive, encouraging and conducive environment for developing into an individual with a positive and healthy mindset?

It is for you to ponder and do the needful now. The change will not be easy, but it will be worth it.

9. SUICIDE AND SELF-HARM

Nearly 90% of the world’s adolescents live in low-or middle-income countries. More than 90% of adolescent suicides are among adolescents living in those countries. An estimated 62,000 adolescents died in 2016 as a result of self-harm. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in older adolescents (15-19 years).

Interpersonal violence ranked; the second leading cause of death of older adolescent boys in 2016.

More than 1.2 million adolescents die every year; nearly all these deaths are preventable

https://www.who.int/news/item/16-05-2017-more-than-1-2-million-adolescents-die-every-year-nearly-all-preventable

Taking time to manage your stress is essential to teach effectively. I am sharing quick tips for you to introspect and work on them.

Taking control is the best way of managing stress. Let us learn some of the ‘SELF-REGULATION STRATEGIES’ to beat stress.

1. Emotional First Aid

Jot down what hurts you the most and get rid of the hurt.

How? First, let go of the fear in yourself of talking to the person who hurt you. Take the phone, call and meet in person. Be confident and voice out all your grudges. Voice out the hurts you have nursed over the years. Just let it all go. Come back to yourself, healed.

2. Understand Your Triggers

Acknowledge and accept you do feel overwhelmed. Recognise what triggers stress in you. Once you recognise the triggers, half the battle is won. If you cannot fight a situation, then avoid situations that you find uncomfortable.

For example, when people gossiped about others, I used to feel extremely stressed out. I could not prevent them from gossiping, so, I began to excuse myself and go to the kitchen and cook an extra dish for them. It helped me keep away from gossip and gain an extra brownie point of being a good cook. Hah!

Provide yourself with enough positive distractions; know your interests and hobbies.

It is pleasant to give yourself breathing space. It is crucial for your existence. So breathe.

3. Imperfections are Beautiful

There is nothing wrong with trying to do things to the best of your capabilities. However, over analysing things may lead to analysis-paralysis. Try your best but learn to accept imperfections. Flowers are beautiful; so are weeds!

4. Getting rid of, I should have…thoughts

For example, I should not have been so harsh. Or, I should try harder to be the best parent. Try remembering all you have done to reach where you are at present. Respect the extensive work that has gone into rising to the present level.

5. Work Smarter, Not Harder

It is good to work hard, but it is best to work smarter. You do not need to do everything by yourself. Learn to delegate work and seek help when required. It will help you buy some extra time to do things more creatively. Creativity gives a sense of fulfilment.

6. Refocus Your Life Goals

If Plan A does not work, it is good to have a Plan B. Plan your Plan B and move. Remember to take action. Make sure Plan B works to enhance Plan A! Remember to refocus goals in your life and not change your life goals.

7. Nurture Your Self-esteem

Life is tough. Things get worse when people question your integrity and self-esteem. Guard your self-esteem. If you cannot help yourself, nobody else will come to your rescue.

8. Quiet Time

Quiet time does not involve eternal punishment for adolescents and children. It means; time to introspect. Quiet time is when you sit silently for 45 minutes to an hour and have a conversation with yourself. It works best when you are consistent and can maintain a predictable routine.

9. Meditate

Meditation works. Meditation helps to re-calm-pose yourself. The zero-state of mind helps to silence the noisy thoughts and carefully gather emotional and physical strength. It increases constructive imagination and creativity. Hence, it undoubtedly helps in gaining a novel perspective in a complex situation and helps furnish solutions.

10. Play a Sport

As per World Health Organization, more than 80% of the world’s adolescent population is insufficiently physically active. To make them play, we need to play with them. It helps to exercise and detox your mind and body.

Do something you haven’t done in a while. Do not hide from a situation but play Hide and Seek with your children.

Close the screen. Now go, and spread smiles and laugh your lungs out.

Your presence is indispensable for this world, and the world needs you.