Julia+K.

​ __**Teens Coping with Stress**__
 * By: Julia Kashul**

Picture sleeping in your bed and all of a sudden you wake up and find out that you slept in way late. Your first period class has already started and you have to turn in a project by the end of class. You are thinking to yourself, why me! You start to get butterflies in your stomach and are unable to focus on what is really important, getting there! Your head starts aching, you start to cry, and you just can’t function right. This has never happened to you, but you tend to get anxiety real fast and worry majority of the time. You don’t realize that it nearly happens to everyone and that you should just take it in and accept it. Many teens experience events such as this and tend to stress out more than they should. Stressing out a little is completely healthy, but not to where it makes a person sick and depressed. Stress is a health epidemic because it has negative effects on teens. So sit tight and relax because it is going to be a bumpy ride.  Sress in teens is a major problem that we have in our society today. There are many things that contribute to the causes of stress. Many people assume that it is not that big of an issue. But once you have been through it, it is hard to get out of it. In looking at teen stress teens are not sure of how to fix their stress issues. Teens have not reached the adult way of thinking and usually have a harder time balancing their daily schedule out. In many cases, teens tend to freak out and blow the situation way out of proportion. The main causes of stress in teens are:  è Self –esteem problems è Relationship problems è Peer pressure è Overload of school work and extracurricular activities è Having a busy job and managing both work and school è Home responsibilities è <span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Community commitments <span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lack of sleep and having a busy schedule ahead of you (Arenofsky) <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> These issues and responsibilities are hard for teens to manage alone. The impact of stress on teens is huge. Some teens start taking overdoses of drugs and begin drinking. Others become depressed and may lead to suicide, which is the worst of them all (Arenofsky). Some symptoms and signs of teen stress are: <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;"> è <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Fatigue <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lack of interest of daily activities <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Irritability <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Continuous headaches <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Negative mind set (Arenofsky) <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Feelings of sadness <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #92d050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Feelings of apathy (Whitely)

<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">

One of the worst fixations that can happen to a stressed out teen or anybody, is if it were to lead to depression. Depression is a serious matter. It is not the typical teenage moodiness, but it is worse. Teens that show aggression, rage or isolation, and sadness for a long period of time are diagnosed with depression (“Depression Puts Teens at Risk”). It is hard for teenagers to be independent. They are in that awkward stage of being in between children and adults. Adults do not know how to treat them as much because teens cannot always make decisions on their own. Teens are not ready to be treated like adults, because of the high expectations and neither adolescents because they are much older and mature for that treatment. If untreated, depression in a teen may lead to suicide. Depression symptoms are unlike adult depression. They include: <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;"> è <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Unexplained aches and pains <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Irritable or constant angry mood or behavior <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Extreme sensitivity to criticism <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Withdrawing from friends and family (“Depression Puts Teens at Risk”) <span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> By witnessing a stressed out teen we should try to help them or get them help before it gets worse. Make sure you take the situation as seriously as they do, even more so that you can make a positive impact on them. Make sure not to joke around about the situation or make the person feel even worse about what is going on in their life. Sometimes parents and adults talking to the teen does not work. In that case listen to your friends problems and suggest them to see a therapist or a school social worker. They may reject this offer, but you need to step in for them and either go with them or help them on the road to recovery. It is not that you have to do everything for them but you should help them seek help (“Depression Puts Teens at Risk”). Things you can do to help a teen with depression is: <span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;"> è <span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To be understanding and empathetic <span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Encourage physical and social activity <span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Stay involved in the treatment to make sure that they are doing well <span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tell their parents or a trusted adult <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Stress is not something that can go away easily. It has a big impact on a teen’s life by making them crabby, burnt out, pressured, or panicky (Arenofsky). It takes time for a teen to strengthen their attitude and independence. There are many ways to cope with stress. This includes: <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;"> è <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sweating off your anger by running, jogging, or biking. Afterwards you will start to feel more relaxed by doing so. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Choosing a healthy diet and reasonable sleeping pattern. Teens need a lot of sleep more then you may know. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Quit being a perfectionist, you’ll never be happy with what you achieve, you will always think that you should have done better! That is not a good way to look at your achievements. Be happy for yourself. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Have fun! Enjoy life and what it has to offer. It does not mean to go to crazy parties that get you into trouble. It means to spend time with your family and friends by doing fun activities such as seeing a movie, bowling, and playing board games. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Use humor. Sometimes when things are not going the way you planned and it turns out to be a disaster, humor may solve the problem. It shows you that life is not perfect and you need to accept it. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">è <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Learn to accept your flaws and mistakes. It starts with acceptance. You need to accept things to move on in life (Arenofsky). <span style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> In conclusion, everyone goes through having stress in their lives. Teens may experience it more but they need to know how to get through it. If you wake up late for school and miss a big test or miss turning in your project take a few breaths, it is ok! No one is perfect! Just calm down and get to school and have a talk with your teacher explaining what happened. They may understand and they may not, and that is ok. It is just the fact that you made the effort in the first place. Life is full of surprises, some good and some bad. We just need to learn how to accept and move on, to live life the fullest. **__<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Works Cited __** <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Arenofsky,Janice. “How to cope on the fast track…”//Opposing Viewpoints: Current Health 2, a Weekly Reader publication:// Greenhaven Press, Dec. 2001. //Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center.// Web. Jan. 26, 2010. “Depression Puts Teens at Risk” //Opposing Viewpoints: Teens at Risk.// Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. //Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Web. Jan. 29, 2010.// Whitely, Joan. “Stress Check” //Las Vegas Review-Journal (Las Vegas, NV) 04 March 2001:25A-28A. SIRS Researcher.// Web. February 4, 2010. [] : This website informs teens and adults about stress and how to cope with it. []: This website has a lot of information on teen stress and that stress happens to every teen some point in time. []: This website has more information on what the causes and effects of stress are. It also has guidelines for a parent to know what to do if they have a stressed or a depressed teen. []: This website has information about stress for families and it also has contact information if families are in need of help. []: This website gives physical, mental, and emotional causes and effects of stress.
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