Associates in Christian Counseling

Adolescent Stress — An Interview with Dr. Karolyn Thompson

If you have a teenager, this time of year may bring added stress to your life. If your teen is young, you may have someone who is getting ready to move from middle school to high school. If your teen is older, they may be preparing for a first summer job or even high school graduation and moving on to college, military or just out of the nest.

Parents know adolescence is a period of change and transition. What suggestions would you make to parents for how to navigate a time that can be tumultuous?

Be available to talk. If a teen perceives that the parent has not been there for him, it may be difficult for you to help him. His ability to trust you could become an issue.

Teach your teen how to keep things in perspective. Taking a situation and looking at it from a different point of view and seeing how it relates in the whole scheme of life is a skill for your teen to learn.

Build your teenager’s confidence and self-esteem. Remember to give praise when he does something good. Make it a habit to find something your teenager did right—everyday. Parents generally provide the basic foundation of confidence and self-esteem.

What kinds of things might be stressors or anxiety producers for them of which we would be unaware as parents having grown up in a different time?

Some stressors might include: negative thoughts, peer pressure, dysfunctional home environment, divorce, unrealistic expectations, loss, academic demands, and unhealthy relationships.

What behaviors or changes should a parent look for that might be signs that things have moved beyond what’s “normal”?

Parents should recognize mood swings, irritability, sleep problems, tooth grinding, headaches, muscle aches, burnout, and more. Others signs of a child’s struggles include blaming others for his/her mistakes, angry outbursts, social withdrawal, and decreased productivity.

When and what kind of help might they consider?

A parent should become concerned when their teen begins to complain regularly about situations that seemed to be manageable beforehand. Also, be aware of negative self-talk and behavioral changes. The first recommendation should be to seek professional counseling to gain some perspective.

Many parents will be celebrating a high school graduation shortly then sending their child off of to college. Having taught on the college level, can you describe some of the stressors new freshmen face?

Some students realized they did not have a support system similar to what they were familiar with in their home environment. That was stressful for them. Several students had to find out how to fit in regarding campus life. Also, it was not easy for them to focus entirely on academic achievement because they were overwhelmed with the demands of college life. Sometimes they were faced with financial challenges. Overall, they needed to be encouraged.