Girls are more likely to be stressed because of relationships with their friends or their family. Boys are more likely to experience stress because of events in their lives. Depression tends to be associated with interpersonal relationships, which explains why girls are more likely to become depressed due to stress. A separate study by Boston researchers cited stress as the culprit in the increasing rate of sleep disorders among children. Sleep disorders can be both caused by stress and the result of stress.
Lack of sleep can make children irritable and hyperactive, and can result in behavior problems.
Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say parents can help children cope with stress by communicating with them. Coping lessons should start with how to keep calm, thinking through a plan and understanding consequences. Other Topics Health Watch is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.