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Dr. Kerris del RosarioRegistered Clinical & Counselling Psychologist

Presented at Streetsville Secondary SchoolSchool Council Workshop – November 27, 2014

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204‐585 Ontario St. S., Milton (Ontario & Derry, facing Derry)305‐1601 River Rd. E., Kitchener (River btwn King & Fairview) P: 519‐498‐9962 E: [email protected]

Supporting Your Teen’s

Stress Management


Stress Management


Stress Management


Stress Management

Thursday, Nov. 27th, 6:15 pmStreetsville Secondary School

Canadian Psychologist Association

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada

What is STRESS?What is STRESS?

Stress - physical, emotional, cognitive, and behaviouralresponses to threateningor challenging events

Stressor - cause of stress reaction

Distress - effect of undesirable stressors

Eustress - effect of positive “stressors”



Appraisal of StressorAppraisal of Stressor



Appraisal of StressorAppraisal of Stressor



Top Stressors for TeensTop Stressors for Teens

School

Family Issues

Social Issues

Body Image

Changes

Financial Concerns

Sports

Experience of TraumaCanadian

Psychologist Association


Factors That Increase Likelihood of StressFactors That Increase Likelihood of Stress

Pressure - urgent demands or expectations from outside source

Uncontrollability -degree of control over event or situation

Frustration – desired goal or fulfillment of perceived need blocked



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Why is Stress Management Important?Why is Stress Management Important?

Subjective Distress

Can trigger or lead to more serious problems(e.g., psychological disorders)



Signs That Your Teen Is StressedSigns That Your Teen Is Stressed

o Difficulty completing tasks

o Frequent expressed worries

o Low self-esteem or decreasing self-confidence

o More frequent sadness or tearfulness

o More frequent frustration or irritability (crankiness)

o Increased absence from class/school (or resistance to going)

o Requests to be excused from certain assignments (e.g., class presentations, group work)

o Change in appetite or sleep (e.g., under/over-eating, difficulty falling/staying asleep, oversleeping)

o Declining marks or cognitive difficulties (e.g., poor concentration/memory, difficulty making decisions)

o Spending more time alone/starts withdrawing from social activity

o Pessimistic outlook (negative talk about the future)



Signs Stress is Becoming More SeriousSigns Stress is Becoming More Serious

o Frequent truancy

o Significant decline in grades

o Social withdrawal

o Chronic low energy

o Loss or increase in weight

o Substance abuse (or “self-medicating”)

o Emotional over-reactivity or irritability

o Serious physical complaints (no medical cause)

o Inability to control worries (may show related panic)

o Worsening cognitive difficulties

o Loss of pleasure in previously enjoyed activities

o Feelings of hopeless and/or worthlessness

o Self-harm or suicidal thoughts or actionsCanadian

Psychologist Association


How Parents Can Help…How Parents Can Help…

Be a “strengthened ally”o Take care of yourself so that

you are strong enough to can care for your teen!




Providing Emotional Support at Homeo Build emotional vocabulary Talk about a TV show/movie you’ve watched together

Talk about your own emotions

Talk about their emotions




Providing Emotional Support at Homeo Model & encourage the expression of emotion

in a variety of ways Talk it out (talk with a family member, call a friend)

Get creative (draw, paint, sing, dance)

“Work” it out (play a game, get physical exercise)

Engage in self-care (take a bath, read with scented candles lit, get a massage, meditate)



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Help teens evaluate:

Diet

Sleep



A Structured Approach to HelpingA Structured Approach to Helping

The “S.T.A.R. Plan” – help your teen:o Identify their

Sad or Scared Feelings

o Acknowledge that they are

Thinking Negative Thoughts

o Come up with

Actions and Thoughts That Can Help

o Evaluate the

Results & Rewards Rewards are things they can say, do or get



Seeking Professional HelpSeeking Professional Help

WHEN to get professional helpo You observe major distressing changes

o You have concerns for their physical safety

o Their functioning is significantly impacted (e.g., failing classes, total social withdrawal)

o Your teen does not seem to be in crisis but you have the financial means and your teen wants to go



Seeking Professional HelpSeeking Professional Help

WHERE to get professional helpo Psychologist (or other professional therapist) Individual therapy Group therapy Parenting support

o Family doctor Pharmaceutical treatment Gatekeeper for other specialists (e.g., psychiatrists)

o Naturopathic doctor Dietary/supplement and lifestyle recommendations

o Others: Doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (e.g., acupuncture)



Seeking Professional HelpSeeking Professional HelpWhat to do in a CRISIS

o Stay calm

o Seek help from their doctor or mental health professional

o Encourage them to connect and talk with someone they (and you) trust about their thoughts and feelings

o Contact a crisis service (see handout)

o Call 911 to access emergency response services (ambulance or police)

o Go to the emergency department at the nearest hospital



Prevention: Promote Wellness!Prevention: Promote Wellness!

S.P.I.C.E.S. ModelEncourage your teens to care for all of the following aspects of themselves:

Social (friends, family, games/clubs, etc.)

Physical (healthy eating, sleep, exercise, etc.)

Intellectual (learning new info/skills, etc.)

Creative (music, dance, art, building, writing, etc.)

Emotional (self-care, relaxation, feelings talk, etc.)

Spiritual (practice religion, pray, time in nature, etc.)

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