Teen Stress Warning Signs to Watch For

It can be difficult for teachers to identify when a student is experiencing something more serious that normal teen angst. That is why an expert in the field of adolescent development has created a checklist of warning signs that an adolescent is in need of help.

Dr. Gregory L. Jantz, author of When Your Teenager Becomes…The Stranger in Your House, said that young adults today face more stressful situations than the generations that came before them. In addition, they may be less prepared to deal with those situations.

“Teens who are overwhelmed by stress often are unable or unwilling to ask for help,” Jantz said. “But the longer they continue to flail and struggle emotionally, the greater the chance they’ll develop more serious problems like clinical depression, generalized anxiety disorder, dependence on alcohol or drugs and, sadly, suicidal tendencies. It’s up to parents and other adults to intervene when they recognize that a teen is struggling.”

Jantz offers the following tips to help determine when typical teen characteristics such as moodiness have moved beyond “normal”:

Arguing is normal; constant anger is not. Sometimes teens argue just to argue. It allows them to let off steam, express their displeasure about life in general and test boundaries. The occasional dramatic meltdown is to be expected. But it’s not normal for a teen to be angry and hostile all the time, constantly fighting and yelling. 

Withdrawal from parents is normal; pulling away from family and friends is not. Expect teens to start pulling away from their parents and occasionally from their friends, as well. Sometimes, they just need to pull back for a few days, even from friends. But when they appear to isolate themselves for weeks, they may be struggling with depression. Socializing with friends is one of the first things to go as depression sucks the joy out of life.

Anxiety is normal; feeling constantly overwhelmed is not. Teens have a lot to be anxious about—the prospect of independence is both exhilarating and terrifying, so some worrying is to be expected. But a teen who seems to be, or says he is, struggling daily with stress needs help. Two types of kids are especially vulnerable to developing generalized anxiety disorder, a heightened, constant state of anxiety: The worker bee perfectionist who crams his schedule with activities, responsibilities and tasks, and the kids who worry so much over anything, they can’t get anything done.

Being upset for days after a bad experience is normal; more than two weeks is not. Teenagers tend to react dramatically when things go wrong—their boss chews them out, they fail a test, they get in an argument with their sweetheart. Adults know from experience that these things aren’t the end of the world and all will be well again, but teens lack that perspective. It’s normal for them to be in a bad mood about it for a few days, but to dwell on the problem for more than two weeks indicates they’re struggling.

Article by Jason Tomaszewski, EducationWorld Associate Editor
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