Common stressors and challenges of being Adolescent

Adolescents react to stress in much the same ways adults do. Common reactions are
excitement, fear, anxiety, sadness, and anger. The behavior of an adolescent who is
stressed may change, but each adolescent reacts in a different way. Some adolescents
withdraw from others, some lash out at others, and some actively seek the comfort of
others.

Five common stressors for teens include:

1. School: People have different learning styles, interests, and strengths. Unfortunately,

school is a standard structure that doesn’t take these differences into consideration.
When the school doesn’t embrace the teens’ strengths, values or creativity they tend to
be more stressed out.

2. Parents: Parents and home environment can also add to teen stress.

a. High expectations are a big stress and challenge for young people. Out of love,
parents want teens to succeed in everything. While this idea is nice, it’s really an
unrealistic expectation.
b. After school activities are important but become a stressor if parents expect their
teens to be involved in too many (even if it’s of their choosing). It’s important for teens to
have some free, unscheduled time each week where they can do whatever they want.
During this time she has the opportunity to relax as well as learn she deserves to have
some free time. It’s a good habit to develop.
c. Stressed parents can transfer their stress on to their teens. If you are frequently
stressed, it’s reflected in how you treat your teen. Your unpredictable behavior may
leave her worried and anxious since she doesn’t know what to expect next. Likewise, if
you are emotionally unavailable for her, she may feel neglected and worthless. These
feelings increase stress levels as she tries to get your attention, only to fail each time.
3. Peer group: Peer pressure, not getting along with friends, and worrying about fitting
in causes stress. The peer group is an important part of a teen’s life. If she senses the
peer group is unreliable or disrespectful, it will increase her stress levels as she feels
pressured to impress her social group.

4. Lack of life skills: Skills such as organization and time management are important
stress preventers. Likewise, an absence of these valuable skills can make life more
hectic and chaotic. Teen’s habits are normally a reflection of how things are done in the
household. As such, it’s unrealistic for parents to expect teens to do better than them.
Any other expectations are only a stress producer.

5. Personal thoughts: What kind of thinking does your teen engage in? It’s not too
tough to find out. Pay attention to your teen’s actions and words as they’re a reflection
 of what’s going on inside her head. Instead of criticizing her, provide her with an
alternative way of thinking.

A family history of depression, substance use and / or suicide also increases a child’s
risk for depression and suicide. Identified teen stressors include:

 Family stressors

 Peer / social stressors

 Self-esteem and sexual stressors

 Trauma / violence stressors

 Psychiatric stressors

 Medical illness

 Substance abuse 

 Grief / loss

 Depression / teen suicide