Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHeadachesTrouble SleepingProblems at SchoolIrritabilityChange in Social HabitsFrequent IllnessBehavioral ChangesDifficulty ConcentratingNegative Self TalkIncreased WorryGetting Professional Help

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Headaches

Trouble Sleeping

Problems at School

Irritability

Change in Social Habits

Frequent Illness

Behavioral Changes

Difficulty Concentrating

Negative Self Talk

Increased Worry

Getting Professional Help

Close

Bullying, peer pressure, and academic challenges can put stressed-out teens at risk for physical and mental health problems. However, stress in teens might not look like what you expect: Signs can range from the physical to the mental. If you notice any of these 10 signs ofstressin teenagers, it might be time tocontact your health providerfor advice.

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1. Headaches and Stomachaches

Physical manifestations of stress are common. Frequent headaches, stomachaches, and other somatic concerns may be a sign of stress.

2. Sleep Issues

Trouble falling or staying asleep can be a sign of stress.And it can be a vicious cycle: An overtired teen is less likely to be able to tolerate stress.

Some anxious or depressed teens sleep too much. A teen who always wants to go back to bed after school or tries to sleep all day on the weekends might be trying to escape stress.

3. Academic Problems

Problems with schoolwork and grades can be both a cause of stress and a result of it. If your teen’s grades have declined or their attendance is poor, talk with them about what they’re feeling and enlist the aid of a counselor.

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4. Increased Irritability

5. Changes in Socialization

Stress is likely to change a teen’s social habits. Social isolation can be a sign your teen is struggling with stress.Spending more time in their room than usual or showing a lack of interest in talking to friends could signal difficulties.

6. Frequent Illness

Teens who are stressed out are more likely than others to get colds and other minor illnesses, causing them to miss school, extracurricular, and social events.

7. Negative Changes in Behavior

Behavior problems in teens often (but not always) result from stress. You might see increased behavior problems ranging from skipping school to talking back.

8. Difficulty Concentrating

When teens have a lot on their minds, it’s hard for them to concentrate on their work.They might become easily distracted in class and have difficulty staying on task while completing their homework.

9. Negative Talk

10. General Sense of Worry

Stressed teens often worry about all the bad things that could happen or about others' perception of them. If your teen has been expressing more worry than usual, consider that stress might be its source.

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When to Seek Professional Help

Many teens aren’t able to say, “I’m stressed and this is why." Rather, their behavior often announces it for them.

If you suspect your teen is struggling with stress, open up a conversation about it to learn more. Don’t minimize their concerns; instead, ask questions and listen attentively for any insight you might glean.

If your teen’s stress seems to be interfering with school, family, household responsibilities, or friends, it’s time to seek professional help.Symptoms lasting more than two weeks can indicate an underlying mental health problem, such asdepressionoranxiety.

Talk to your teen’s healthcare provider about your concerns. Their doctor will first rule out any physical health issues before exploring potential psychological, emotional, or social problems. Many general practitioners address such issues but will refer your child to a specialist if signs and symptoms are intense.

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7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Schramm SH, Moebus S, Lehmann N, et al.The association between stress and headache: A longitudinal population-based study.Cephalalgia. 2015;35(10):853-63. doi:10.1177/0333102414563087Kalmbach DA, Anderson JR, Drake CL.The impact of stress on sleep: pathogenic sleep reactivity as a vulnerability to insomnia and circadian disorders.J Sleep Res. 2018;27(6):e12710. doi:10.1111/jsr.12710Campagne DM.Stress and perceived social isolation (loneliness).Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2019;82:192-199. doi:10.1016/j.archger.2019.02.007Laziz Yarashovich Olimov, & Zulfiya Mexmonovna Maxmudova (2022). Psychological peculiarities in stressful situations and social psychological features of coping behavior manifestation. Science and Education, 3 (2), 1324-1333.Cleveland Clinic.Warning signs of emotional stress: when to see your doctor.American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Stress management and teens.American Academy of Pediatrics.Helping children handle stress. HealthyChildren.org.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Schramm SH, Moebus S, Lehmann N, et al.The association between stress and headache: A longitudinal population-based study.Cephalalgia. 2015;35(10):853-63. doi:10.1177/0333102414563087Kalmbach DA, Anderson JR, Drake CL.The impact of stress on sleep: pathogenic sleep reactivity as a vulnerability to insomnia and circadian disorders.J Sleep Res. 2018;27(6):e12710. doi:10.1111/jsr.12710Campagne DM.Stress and perceived social isolation (loneliness).Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2019;82:192-199. doi:10.1016/j.archger.2019.02.007Laziz Yarashovich Olimov, & Zulfiya Mexmonovna Maxmudova (2022). Psychological peculiarities in stressful situations and social psychological features of coping behavior manifestation. Science and Education, 3 (2), 1324-1333.Cleveland Clinic.Warning signs of emotional stress: when to see your doctor.American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Stress management and teens.American Academy of Pediatrics.Helping children handle stress. HealthyChildren.org.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Schramm SH, Moebus S, Lehmann N, et al.The association between stress and headache: A longitudinal population-based study.Cephalalgia. 2015;35(10):853-63. doi:10.1177/0333102414563087Kalmbach DA, Anderson JR, Drake CL.The impact of stress on sleep: pathogenic sleep reactivity as a vulnerability to insomnia and circadian disorders.J Sleep Res. 2018;27(6):e12710. doi:10.1111/jsr.12710Campagne DM.Stress and perceived social isolation (loneliness).Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2019;82:192-199. doi:10.1016/j.archger.2019.02.007Laziz Yarashovich Olimov, & Zulfiya Mexmonovna Maxmudova (2022). Psychological peculiarities in stressful situations and social psychological features of coping behavior manifestation. Science and Education, 3 (2), 1324-1333.Cleveland Clinic.Warning signs of emotional stress: when to see your doctor.American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Stress management and teens.American Academy of Pediatrics.Helping children handle stress. HealthyChildren.org.

Schramm SH, Moebus S, Lehmann N, et al.The association between stress and headache: A longitudinal population-based study.Cephalalgia. 2015;35(10):853-63. doi:10.1177/0333102414563087

Kalmbach DA, Anderson JR, Drake CL.The impact of stress on sleep: pathogenic sleep reactivity as a vulnerability to insomnia and circadian disorders.J Sleep Res. 2018;27(6):e12710. doi:10.1111/jsr.12710

Campagne DM.Stress and perceived social isolation (loneliness).Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2019;82:192-199. doi:10.1016/j.archger.2019.02.007

Laziz Yarashovich Olimov, & Zulfiya Mexmonovna Maxmudova (2022). Psychological peculiarities in stressful situations and social psychological features of coping behavior manifestation. Science and Education, 3 (2), 1324-1333.

Cleveland Clinic.Warning signs of emotional stress: when to see your doctor.

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Stress management and teens.

American Academy of Pediatrics.Helping children handle stress. HealthyChildren.org.

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