Signs Your Child Is Stressed & How To Help Them Cope

Signs & Symptoms Parents Should Look For

While it may not always be obvious or even easy to recognize for many parents, when children experience stress, short-term behavioral changes can be a clear sign something is going on in your child’s life. Some of the physical, emotional, and behavioral signs your child may exhibit if they are stressed out include mood swings, acting out, changes in their sleep pattern such as constantly waking up in the middle of the night, bedwetting, trouble concentrating or completing homework, or they become withdrawn or socially isolated.

Younger children may form new habits such as thumb sucking, hair twirling, or nose picking, while older children may also begin to lie, bully, or defy authority. A stressed-out kid may also overreact to minor issues that arise, experience nightmares, become overly clingy, become aggressive, and have drastic changes in their academic performance, as they may go from being a student who gets As and Bs to earning Cs and Ds. Some typical physical symptoms include headaches, chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, stomach aches, and fatigue.

Next, find out how you can reduce your child’s stress and help alleviate some of their symptoms.