Teen Pressure: Vital parenting information from Eyewitness News

The school day starts early, and may not end until well into the night. Tests, friends, clubs, sports... all the forces of life for teenagers, and pre-teens. And when the pressure gets too much, some level of anxiety may set in. It can happen to any student.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD/Pediatrician
There are all sorts of stresses on teens that are different than a pre-teen; sex, drugs, alcohol, all these extra pressures that they don't need on them at that age.

Teenagers will likely handle stress the way adults would. So, when the anxiety sets in, frequently those worries will come out in the form of physical problems. Your teen may complain of vague symptoms.

Dr. Joe Matusic
They may have headaches, belly pain, diarrhea, or vomiting. They may not eat, sleep excessively or they may not sleep at all.

When you see that, the doctor advises to try and get them to open up a little about what's going on.

Dr. Joe Matusic
Ask in a round-about way; how was school, how are things going, do you have any worries? Tell me about your friends, are any of them having a hard time at school? Try and go through the back door to figure out what is going on.

You may also want to try to teach your child how to put their worries into perspective, but if it gets to the point where you can't manage the situation, don't be afraid to ask for help from your pediatrician or family doctor. They are there to help you find the help you need.
Younger children may also be feeling pressures. Even students as young as kindergarten age are not immune to anxiety. If using techniques at home to help sooth their nerves doesn't work, you may also want to consult their doctor for some helpful tips.