Medical Health Encyclopedia

Stress in childhood

SIGNS OF UNRESOLVED STRESS IN CHILDREN

Children may not recognize that they are stressed. Parents may suspect that the child is excessively stressed if the child has experienced a potentially stressful situation and begins to have symptoms such as:

• Physical symptoms
  • headache
  • upset stomach or vague stomach pain
  • sleep disturbances
  • nightmares
  • new or recurrent bedwetting
  • decreased appetite, other changes in eating habits
  • stuttering
  • other physical symptoms with no physical illness
• Emotional or behavioral symptoms
  • anxiety
  • worries
  • inability to relax
  • new or recurring fears (fear of the dark, fear of being alone, fear of strangers)
  • clinging, unwilling to let you out of sight
  • questioning (may or may not ask questions)
  • anger
  • crying
  • whining
  • inability to control emotions
  • aggressive behavior
  • stubborn behavior
  • regression to behaviors that are typical of an earlier developmental stage
  • unwillingness to participate in family or school activities

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?

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Parents can help children respond to stress in healthy ways. Some things parents can do include the following:

• Provide a safe, secure, familiar, consistent, and dependable home.
• Be selective in the television programs that young children watch (including news broadcasts), which can produce fears and anxiety.
• Spend calm, relaxed time with your children.
• Encourage questions.
• Encourage expression of concerns, worries, or fears.
• Listen to your child without being critical.
• Build your child's feelings of self-worth. Use encouragement and affection. Try to involve your child in situations where he or she can succeed.
• Try to use positive encouragement and reward instead of punishment
• Allow the child opportunities to make choices and have some control in his or her life. This is particularly important, because research shows that the more people feel they have control over a situation, the better their response to stress will be.
• Encourage physical activity.
• Develop awareness of situations and events that are stressful for children. These include new experiences, fear of unpredictable outcomes, unpleasant sensations, unmet needs or desires, and loss.
• Recognize signs of unresolved stress in your child.
• Keep your child informed of necessary and anticipated changes such as changes in jobs or moving
• Seek professional help or advice when signs of stress do not decrease or disappear.