The process of growing up carries with it quite a bit of stress. Children begin to experience stress at a very early age, and they are often more vulnerable to stress than adults because they have not yet learned effective ways to cope with it. Parents should, therefore begin helping their children acquire the skills necessary to effectively cope with stress while their children are young. These skills are very important for children not only throughout their growing years, but into adulthood, too. Research indicates that there are numerous differences between children who do and do not handle stress effectively.
Different children exhibit different symptoms of stress.
These symptoms often depend on children's ages, personality, and level of development. However, there are many clues that children's bodies provide that indicate when children may be under too much stress. Such clues can include a tight throat, sweaty palms, headaches, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, uneasiness, indigestion, depression, restlessness, frustration, and a change in sleeping patterns. Other possible symptoms include withdrawal, irritability, aggression, excessive daydreaming, excessive sensitivity, changes in eating habits, and general changes in behavior. Parents and children who learn how to recognize these stress signs have taken the first step to combating stress.