This, in itself, can cause stress. Physical development ahead or behind peers Not fitting into a social group Problems in relationships with others Extra-curricular activities or jobs Violence, either in school, at home, or in their neighborhoods Teens have difficulty coping with stress and often respond differently than adults do. They lack both the experience and the foresight to understand that stressors in life come and go. As a result, a teen can view a problem as permanent and feel trapped. Impulsive decision-making that is so characteristic of the adolescent experience.
Teens also tend to set priorities on a horizontal rather than a vertical scale.
In other words, everything takes on the same significance. A lost history paper is as upsetting as not being able to find that special eye shadow. The team losing a game is as traumatic as losing an important friendship. High drama is the order of the day when teens are under stress. But certain things can tip the balance and make normal stress much more serious.