by Jackie Hart, MD
Q: I am a sophomore in high school and I am wondering what effects stress has on a teenagers health. What causes stress and what solutions, alternative or otherwise, are available for those who suffer from an enormous amount of stress?
A: Stress is a tremendous problem during adolescence and there seem to be more and more pressures on teens these days. Similar to adults, stress among adolescents is related to a variety of causes including:
Also similar to adults, manifestations of stress in teenagers can take many forms. Some potential expressions of stress include:
Appropriate treatment often includes psychotherapy with a well-trained professional and may also include medications. For some of the problems listed, such as eating disorders and drug abuse, inpatient therapy may be necessary for a defined period of time.
In terms of alternatives that have demonstrated value in adolescents, hypnosis, biofeedback, and other relaxation techniques are successful adjuncts to usual, conventional medical care in particular situations. Hypnosis in combination with music therapy has been used for feelings of anxiety, as have meditation and mental imagery. Self-hypnosis, biofeedback, and mental imagery have each been used for overeating, while biofeedback has shown success as an adjunct to usual treatment for anorexia. Finally, moderate exercise on a regular basis is very helpful for reducing feelings of depression and anxiety in teens.
Q: I am a sophomore in high school and I am wondering what effects stress has on a teenagers health. What causes stress and what solutions, alternative or otherwise, are available for those who suffer from an enormous amount of stress?
A: Stress is a tremendous problem during adolescence and there seem to be more and more pressures on teens these days. Similar to adults, stress among adolescents is related to a variety of causes including:
Also similar to adults, manifestations of stress in teenagers can take many forms. Some potential expressions of stress include:
- Feelings of depression (which can be either a cause or an effect of stress)
- Feelings of anxiety and/or panic attacks
- Anorexia
- Overeating and weight gain
- Feelings of aggression and aggressive behavior
- Drug and/or alcohol abuse
- Sexual promiscuity, including risky sexual behaviors such as not using condoms, which help protect from sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy
- Smoking cigarettes
Appropriate treatment often includes psychotherapy with a well-trained professional and may also include medications. For some of the problems listed, such as eating disorders and drug abuse, inpatient therapy may be necessary for a defined period of time.
In terms of alternatives that have demonstrated value in adolescents, hypnosis, biofeedback, and other relaxation techniques are successful adjuncts to usual, conventional medical care in particular situations. Hypnosis in combination with music therapy has been used for feelings of anxiety, as have meditation and mental imagery. Self-hypnosis, biofeedback, and mental imagery have each been used for overeating, while biofeedback has shown success as an adjunct to usual treatment for anorexia. Finally, moderate exercise on a regular basis is very helpful for reducing feelings of depression and anxiety in teens.