The Little Blue Book

SIGNS OF STRESS IN CHILDREN (AND TEENS) When children are distressed or anxious, you will see the signs in behavioural changes. These signs are clues to a ‘private battle’ going on below the surface. You can interpret these changes as an unspoken signal, a flashing light asking for your support. Give them a hug, talk about your feelings and their feelings – your love and a reassuring arm will armour-plate their emotional resilience and help them through. Behavioural changes that can indicate anxiety: 2, 3, 4 • Crying more than usual, sudden tears, excessive sadness • Bedwetting, thumb-sucking or other regressive behaviours • ‘Clinginess’, excessive dependency • Nightmares, terrors, or refusing to go to bed, sleep problems • Excessive irritability, anger, wilfulness and “playing up” (in teens) • Unexpected drop-off in school performance and behaviour • Expressing unfounded fears, obsessive negative thinking • Avoiding fun things with friends or family • Difficulty concentrating, periods of inattention (staring blankly) • Chewing nails obsessively or picking at the skin • Unexplained headaches, stomach aches and other physical pains • Expressing feelings of loneliness, or friendlessness • Excessive inactive hours with social media, but disengagement from friends (without engaging or fostering connection) • Sleeping excessively, eating poorly, lack of exercise and involvement • Sullen and disinterested, ‘shutting off’ from family and friends • Evidence of use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs • Emotional outbursts, increased arguing with household members • Changes in personal hygiene and general care Do contact your GP or health professional if the changes in behaviour persist, or other emotional problems become evident, or if your child is unable to perform usual routines (going to bed, getting up, preparing for school) and the symptoms continue for more than a few weeks. To reach out, Call : ParentLine (in your state) Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 beyondblue.org.au 59 ADA Australia PostScript Section 1 Section 3 Section 2