20 Signs Your Child Is More Stressed Than You Know
These are 20 subtle signs that children are more stressed than they appear to be. As a parent, look out for these so you can give your child more support if needed.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Stress is inevitable and a part of our daily lives, but too much of it—especially in children can damage their mental health. The question is: how do you know that your child is overwhelmed with stress? These 20 signs will guide you in spotting the hidden indicators they may face.
1. Always Feeling Exhausted
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One indicator of stress is feeling tired all the time, even when they’re doing nothing. This is because their mind is working overtime, and if they struggle to keep up with everyday activities, stress might be the cause.
2. Decline in School Performance
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If your child suddenly struggles with schoolwork despite doing well before, stress can make it harder to focus and complete assignments on time.
3. Uneasiness
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Children under stress may avoid doing activities they used to love. You might notice this as a parent when they hesitate or seem unsure about their daily routine, like reading books, biking, and even playing with other kids.
4. They Feel Uncomfortable
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When children are under stress, they might appear awkward and uncomfortable in situations. Physical signs can include avoiding eye contact, having trouble concentrating, fidgeting, and behaving differently around people.
5. Clinginess
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Your child seeks comfort by wanting you to stay close and feeling hesitant to be apart from you. If your child becomes more attached than before, this could be a sign that they need you to stay close and offer reassurance.
6. Loss of Interest in Hobbies
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Stress could be why your child stops playing their favorite games, sports, and creative hobbies. Children may not realize they are experiencing too much stress, so offering new activities to enjoy and encouraging them to talk about what they feel in the moment can be very helpful.
7. Changes in Eating Habits
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If your child eats too much and then suddenly loses their appetite, stress might be the reason that’s affecting their eating habits. You might notice them complaining about eating and becoming pickier with what they eat.
8. Changes in Sleep Patterns
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Oversleeping and restlessness can also be hidden indicators of stress. To help your child cope, you may need to form a calming bedtime routine to help them relax and fall asleep faster.
9. Hyperactivity
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Stress often leads to bursts of energy that children find hard to control. In school and at home, your child might feel the need to be constantly active and move around.
10. Increased Sensitivity
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When your child gets overly sensitive to small things, it can be an early indicator of increased stress. They may get upset over trivial things and react strongly to things beyond their control.
11. Trouble Expressing Emotions
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Stress can make it difficult for someone to express their feelings. Children usually tend to keep their emotions to themselves as they may not have the words to express what they truly feel.
12. Social Withdrawal
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Your child may feel more stress than they appear to if they start avoiding social interactions with friends and family. Some prefer to be alone and act distant, while others struggle to present themselves in front of people.
13. Negative Self-Talk
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Sentiments like “I can’t do anything right” or “I’m so weak” often come out of their mouth, which may indicate low self-esteem. If you hear your child saying these things, reassurance is more than enough.
14. Changes in Hygiene
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Stress can also lead someone to neglect their hygiene. When your child starts forgetting to shower, brush their teeth, or dress appropriately, it’s a good time to gently remind them of the importance of self-care without making them feel bad about themselves.
15. Difficulty with Transitions
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Adjusting to changes and transitioning to new situations might be difficult for children under stress, and it can be overwhelming for them. Being able to show up and providing extra support for your child could mean a lot to them during these transitions.
16. Excessive Screen Time
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Another way children escape daily life’s stress is by spending more time on screens than usual. Children under stress usually turn to gadgets to avoid overthinking.
17. More Alone Time
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Isolating themselves from everyone is another way children cope with their feelings. Since they have trouble expressing their thoughts, they spend more time alone.
18. Tantrums and Meltdowns
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Children usually have trouble controlling their emotions, which might result in tantrums or meltdowns over small things. Help them calm down and talk about what’s causing them these feelings.
19. Sleepwalking or Night Terrors
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Disturbances like sleepwalking or night terrors are signs of increased stress in children. Your child might wake up from a frightening dream, which can be unsettling for both of you.
20. Weight Loss
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Stress can cause your child to lose weight due to anxiety about their surroundings. You might find them struggling with eating, leading to decreased appetite.