Your children, even the toddlers, are prone to stress! Probably That's why it is highly recommended by child psychologists to look out for the early signs and symptoms of stress in your child.
Overlooking any behavioral, emotional or physical change in your child may be detrimental in the long run. There may be various reasons for stress ranging from separation anxiety, changes at home, and a hectic schedule to issues in coping with a social life. Here is a list of signs of stress and different ways to deal with it:-
Signs and Symptoms:-
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#1. Withdrawal: While under stress, your child may begin isolating himself from his friends and family. An abrupt loss of communication or interest in family affairs may be symptomatic of stress.
#2. Bedwetting: Bedwetting is plausible only up to a certain stage. If you find your child under this situation, it is an implication of some kind of insecurity, resulting in stress. Bedwetting, being a matter of humiliation, may also amplify the stress level.
#3. Excess/ Lack Of Eating: A change in eating pattern may also be an indicator of stress. The increase or loss of appetite may be a side effect of some sort of pressure or anxiety.
#4. Aggressive Behavior: Aggression is yet another response to stress. You child may start exhibiting verbal or physical aggression under stress. Throwing, hitting and yelling are the ways in which children usually express aggression resulting out of stress.
#5. Sleeping Disorders: Restlessness under stress may cause a sleeping disorder in your child. Look out for the lack of sleep or unsound sleep that has been persistent with your child lately.
#6. Lack Of Concentration: Skipping homework, cutting out on study time, lack of focus may be early signs and symptoms of stress.
#7. Altered Behavioral And Emotional Response: Stress also results in uncanny emotional responses to a particular situation. Crying and tantrums are the most common emotional turbulences found in a child under stress.
#8. Physical Ailments: Physical ailments cannot be restrained only to physical health only. A random headache or stomach ache may surprisingly be a symptom of stress.
#9. Exposure To A Disturbing Event: Your child may be directly or indirectly exposed to a perturbing event. These events may cause a great deal of stress. Even watching a violent or disturbing piece on screen may cause stress.
Different Ways Of Dealing
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#1. Do Not Over React: Make sure that you do not harangue or make your child feel mortified after he exhibits these behavioral responses. It is important to deal with the altered behavior patiently.
#2. Communication: It is essential that you patiently listen to all that your child has to say and have a healthy conversation with him from time to time. It is through conversation that you can make your child open about the cause of his stress.
#3. Reduce The Screen Exposure: Observe and monitor the kind of content your child watches on television. Limiting the screen time may be a useful technique to relieve your child of stress.
#4. Time And Love: Spend as much time as you can with your child when he is under stress. Gestures of love every now and then may help your child in dealing with the stress.
#5. Seek Help: In case you are sure that environment at your home is stable, you may seek help from your child’s teachers to look out for any issues like bullying. When you find yourself unable to cope up with the situation, or when you think that some extra help may come in handy, consulting a therapist is a plausible option to control the damage.
If you have any other remedy for stress, we would love to hear from you. Kindly use the comment box to share your thoughts and opinions with us.
(Feature Image Courtesy: Focus Forward Counselling)
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