Under stress, they may worry about the future, complain of head or stomach aches, have trouble sleeping, have a loss of appetite, or need to urinate frequently. Preteens and adolescents under stress may feel angry longer, feel disillusioned, lack self-esteem, and generally distrust everything. Depression and suicidal tendencies are concerns. Building safety nets for stress . Just as children's reactions are each different, so are their coping strategies.
Children can cope with stress through tears or tantrums or by retreating from unpleasant situations.
They could be masterful at considering options, finding compromise solutions, or finding substitute comfort. Usually a child's thinking is not fully developed enough to think of options or think about the results of possible actions. Children who live in supportive environments and develop a range of coping strategies become more resilient. Resiliency is the ability to bounce back from stress and crisis. Many children do not have a supportive environment and do not learn to cope with stress.