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Summer is a time of transition. Children are transitioning from one grade to the next, changing schools, heading off to college, joining the military, and entering the workplace.
Transitions are a time for change and growth, but can also be a stressful time for children as well as adults. Below is a list of some warning signs that stress is becoming overwhelming:
- Increase or decrease in appetite
- Change in mood
- Increase or decrease in sleep
- Sleep-related anxiety that prevents normal rest
- Irritability or increased sensitivity
- Nightmares
- Increase clinginess or insecurity
- Grinding teeth
- Change in energy level/exhaustion
- Increase in worrisome thoughts
- Irrational beliefs and thoughts
- Physical changes-headaches, hypertension, mood swings, depression, suicidal thoughts, self-mutilation
- Lack of concentration
- Social and emotional withdrawal
- Fear
- Anger
- Change in sex drive
- Nervous tics (e.g. nail biting, muscle twitching)
- Stomach aches/physical symptoms