Counseling Helps Anxious Teens
Teens with high stress levels are concerned about a lot of things and feel a tremendous amount of anxiety. They often have trouble falling asleep at night or feel physically sick like they might throw up. They may desire to stop being so stressed out but they are consumed by the fear that their worst thoughts may come true. They spend a lot of time thinking about what negative things might happen to them or their family. This anxiety is not just something a teen can snap out of. Counseling can benefit teens by helping them talk about the things that are leading to their anxiety. This enables them to be emotionally healthy as they learn and implement skills to help deal with whatever worries come their way.
TEEN STRESS SCALE
Today’s teens are under a tremendous amount of stress. This scale can be helpful in alerting you to situations your teen could be experiencing. The items have been given a number value according to the amount of pressure they may put on a teens well being. Add up the points for items that have touched your teen in the last 12 months.
Less than 150 = AVERAGE STRESS LOAD
Between 150 – 300 = HIGH STRESS LOAD
– Be aware of symptoms and ways to help reduce stress
Over 300 = SERIOUS STRESS LOAD
-Strong likelihood of experiencing health or behavior reactions
LIFE EVENT |
VALUE
|
1. Death of a parent |
100
|
2. Divorce of parent |
73
|
3. Separation of parents |
65
|
4. Parent’s jail term |
63
|
5. Death of a close family member |
63
|
6. Personal injury or illness |
53
|
7. Parent’s remarriage |
40
|
8. Suspension or expulsion from school |
47
|
9. Parents’ reconciliations |
45
|
10. Long vacation (summer, etc.) |
45
|
11. Parent or sibling illness |
44
|
12. Mother’s pregnancy |
40
|
13. Anxiety over sex |
39
|
14. birth or adoption of a new baby |
39
|
15. New school, classroom or teacher |
39
|
16. Money problems at home |
38
|
17. Death or moving away of a close friend |
37
|
18. Change in studies |
36
|
19. More quarrels with parents |
35
|
20. Change in school responsibilities |
29
|
21. Sibling going away to school |
29
|
22. Family arguments with grandparents |
29
|
23. Winning school or community awards |
28
|
24. Mother or father going to work or stopping work |
26
|
25. School beginning or ending |
26
|
26. Family’s standard of living changes |
25
|
27. Change in personal habits (bedtime, homework, etc.) |
24
|
28. Trouble with parents (communication, hostility, etc.) |
23
|
29. Change in school hours, schedule of courses |
20
|
30. Family’s moving or relocation |
20
|
31. New sports, hobbies, family recreation activities |
19
|
32. Change in church activities (more or less involvement) |
18
|
33. Change in social activities (new friends, loss of old friends) |
16
|
34. Change in sleeping habits |
15
|
35. Change in number of family get-togethers |
15
|
36. Change in eating habits (diets, family cooking habits) |
13
|
37. Vacation |
13
|
38. Christmas or other extended holidays |
12
|
39. Breaking home, school or community rules |
11
|
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