Stress and Children

Do children suffer from stress? The answer is a resounding yes. Problems in school, at home, too many extracurricular activities and pressure to perform are just some of the sources of stress for children. And because children may not know how to properly communicate their feelings or experiences, we may not be aware that they are already buckling under the burden of stress. As an effect of stress, they may suffer several conditions like ringing ears that can be a very devastating experience for children.

Just like adults, stress in children can manifest itself in physical symptoms. If your child complains of frequent headaches or stomach aches, or easily gets sick resulting in frequent absences from school, it is possible that these are signs that he or she is suffering from stress. Other physical symptoms include fever and the development of asthma.

Other ways in which stress in children may be marked are thumb sucking, nervous picking at the skin, pulling of the hair, ringing in the ears, a sudden weight loss or gain, and a return to bedwetting. Some children will even develop skin problems or suffer an outbreak of skin allergies due to stress.

A child burdened with stress may also have trouble sleeping or may have frequent nightmares. As a result, he or she will always seem exhausted and not well rested. This will of course reflect on his or her performance in school or in a lack of energy to engage in activities other children his or her age enjoy.

Sudden mood swings or a withdrawal by the child from activities he or she used to excel or enjoy are also signs that your child may be struggling with stress. A child who was before obedient and very pleasant could suddenly become irritable, easily frustrated, and may start to disobey his or her parents. He or she might also start to perform poorly in his or her academic pursuits or in the sports he or she used to excel in.

If you find any of these signs with your children, take the time to talk to your child about what is bothering him or her. We do not really want to end up looking for asthma, weight loss and tinnitus treatments remedy just because of the limited attention that we give our children. It is possible that we are pressuring our children too much to excel or perform in school or he or she may simply have too many things on his or her plate that he or she does not have time to rest and recharge. The atmosphere in your home can also be a contributing factor to your child’s stress. Whatever the source it is critical that we address his or her fears and concerns with patience and loving reassurance.