Physical & Stress-Related Symptoms in Teens: Signs, Causes, and Relief
October 14, 2025
It’s not always easy to know when a teen is struggling. Many people are familiar with the emotional signs of stress, such as irritability, but stress can also bring physical complaints like fatigue and headaches in teens.
These stress-related symptoms in adolescents can be mistaken for illnesses or “growing pains,” but may actually be a sign that your teen needs support. Early intervention can help prevent stress leading to other issues, and it all starts with recognizing the signs of stress in teens.
If your teen is struggling with their mental health, speaking to a mental health professional is always recommended. This page can also help you better understand physical and stress-related symptoms in teens, by covering:
- What is stress
- Common physical stress symptoms in teens
- Emotional and behavioral signs of stress
- The causes of stress in teens
- How parents can support teens
- Practical stress management techniques for teens
- Therapy options
- Where to find professional support
Understanding Stress in Adolescents
“I’m so stressed out!” “Don’t talk to me right now, I’m really stressed.”
We’ve all felt stress to the extent that we say phrases such as these. Perhaps work has piled up, we’re having an argument with a loved one, or we’re going through a big transition in life; stress can come from a variety of sources. But what does it really mean to be stressed?
What Is Stress?
The American Institute of Stress (AIS) defines stress as “The body’s nonspecific response to any demand – pleasant or unpleasant.” This response includes both psychological and physical reactions.1
When you encounter a stressor, your body and behavior can change. A hormone called “cortisol” activates the body’s stress response, which prepares you to handle whatever challenge is coming your way. You may notice your heart rate increasing, muscles feeling tense, breathing quickening, or feelings of nausea. These are all part of the fight or flight response. In other words, your body is preparing you to either fight a threat or escape quickly from danger.2
The fight-or-flight response can be very useful for keeping us safe, especially from physical threats. For instance, it once protected our ancient ancestors from harm, such as attacks from wild animals. However, the stress we face today typically stems from worries, negative thoughts, or perceived threats, rather than a physical threat standing in front of us. Yet, our brains still often respond to these psychological stressors as though they present physical danger.
It’s important to note that stress isn’t always bad; a certain amount can actually help you prepare or perform better, such as gearing up for an exam or interview. In such circumstances, stress is generally a response to a particular event and goes away once the situation is resolved.3 However, when stress is intense, repetitive, or chronic, the stress response can lead to emotional and physical health problems, such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and heart disease.2
Is Stress Different in Teenagers?
Teens can experience stress, just like adults. According to the AIS:4
32% of teens report experiencing extreme stress- 30% of teens report feeling sad or depressed due to stress levels
- 23% of teens have skipped meals due to stress
However, although teens experience stress in similar ways to adults, some aspects of adolescence can make stress unique for teens. During this stage of development, the prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain responsible for self-control and decision making – is still developing. Because of this, teens may respond differently to stress than adults. As a result of this different response, teens may be more at risk of developing a stress-related mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression.5,6
In these ways, long-term stress can significantly impact a teen’s overall well-being. Being able to recognize the physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms of stress can help parents understand when their teen may need extra support. But what do these symptoms look like?
Common Teen Physical Symptoms of Stress
The stress response prepares the mind and body to deal with the various challenges people may face. For this reason, the signs of stress can vary slightly depending on the person’s circumstances and individual traits.
However, some common physical stress symptoms in teens include:4,7,8
Racing heart or palpitations- Quicker breathing
- Chest tightness
- Cold or clammy hands and feet
- Upset stomach or nausea
- Trouble sleeping
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Stomach aches
- Muscle Tension
- Unexplained aches and pains
These symptoms are all signs that the stress response has been activated, and may be some of the first things you notice if your teen feels stressed. Yet, there are also emotional and behavioral changes linked with stress, which we explore next.
Emotional and Behavioral Stress Symptoms in Teens
It’s important to consider all potential symptoms of stress in teens: physical, emotional, and behavioral. Having this in-depth adolescent mental health awareness could help you to better support your child while they learn to manage stressful situations.
Some of the common emotional signs of stress are irritability and anger, especially if teens can’t find the words to describe how they feel. These emotional signs may manifest as appearing short-tempered, irritable, aggressive, or more argumentative than usual. They may also seem tearful, or feel anxious or unable to control their worries.4,7
Additionally, stress in adolescents can cause changes in their behavior. For instance, they might…4,7
- Act out
- Not want to leave home
- Neglect responsibilities, such as homework or obligations
- Show changes in their eating habits
- Withdraw from family and friends
Based on symptoms such as these, it’s evident that long-term stress could potentially significantly impact a teen’s emotional health and physical symptoms.
Recognizing stress in adolescents allows you to assess whether your child could benefit from extra support during times of struggle. Yet, understanding the possible underlying causes may also help you determine the type of support they need. But what are these causes?
What Causes Stress in Teens?
Stress can be caused by any physical or psychological event, situation, or stimulus that puts some type of demand on a person. These factors are known as “stressors.” Plus, due to the demands of adolescence, teens may encounter more unique stressors than at any other stage of life.
Some common stressors for adolescents include:4,7,9
Unsafe home environments- Stressful life events, such as divorce or moving home
- Family dynamics
- Having negative thoughts or feelings about themselves
- Chronic illnesses
- Moving schools
- Trauma
- Bullying
- Body changes
- Peer pressure
- Friendship or relationship issues
- School demands
When a teen doesn’t have coping skills in place to cope with the stress of such demands, they may have an increased risk of developing a mental health condition.5 Further, when mental health conditions caused by stress remain untreated, they can worsen with time and stem into adulthood.
Yet you may be wondering what you can do to help your child manage stress. We cover some practical stress-management suggestions that parents can implement next.
Parental Support for Stressed Teens
Parents and caregivers often play a very important role when it comes to supporting stressed-out teenagers. For instance, they could help their child find stress-management strategies, as well as model healthy habits themselves.
Some suggestions for parents seeking to support their teen include:
Making home a safe space: Try to make home a calm, safe place for your teen to relax and heal. Minimize stressors where possible, and consider introducing some routines that can support your teen’s mental well-being.- Promoting healthy lifestyle in teens: Simple lifestyle changes can actually improve mental health and help alleviate physical stress symptoms in teens. For example, eating a balanced diet, regularly exercising, and getting enough sleep are all important for overall well-being, mental wellness, and teen development.7,10
- Being a role model for healthy coping: Talk to your teen about how you deal with stressful situations when they come up, and show them what you do to cope.
- Encouraging open communication: Let your teen know that they can talk to you about how they feel or what things are causing them stress. Model this type of communication by asking them questions, answering theirs, and normalizing talking about mental health.
- Acting as their cheerleader: Anyone can fall into habits of negative thinking. If you hear your child talking about themselves negatively, you could try asking them to think about whether they really believe what they are saying. Or, you could remind them of times that prove these thoughts wrong. For instance, if your teen says, “I’m terrible at math,” you could jog their memory of when they improved their mathematical ability through practice..
- Educating about healthy online practices: Teenagers often spend a lot of time online, whether it’s on their phone, laptop, or games console. While online, there’s a chance they could come across questionable content or unrealistic images of society’s ideals. There’s also the added risk of cyberbullying. Parents can teach their children about the positives and negatives of online content to help protect them from undue stress.
Stress Management Techniques for Teens
If you’re a teen wondering how to manage stress when it creeps up on you, there are daily techniques you can practice to restore a more balanced sense of calm. In this section, you’ll find practical coping strategies for stress that can make a real difference to how you feel.
These are things you can do, right now, to help lower your stress levels and take control of your stress response.
Some stress management techniques for teens include:
Journaling: Writing in a journal can relieve stress by allowing you to express your thoughts and emotions, gain perspective, identify triggers, and increase your self-awareness.11 Journaling can also boost confidence, as it allows you to track progress over time, demonstrating that you’ve made strides in your ability to cope.- Relaxation and breathing exercises: Breathwork can quickly calm the body and lower stress, while relaxation exercises can help ease muscle tension in teens.12
- Mindfulness: Research shows that meditation and mindfulness are great for reducing stress.13 Mindfulness is a process of being fully present in the moment and allowing your thoughts to drift through your mind without judgment or attachment.
- Movement: Physical activity can help you blow off steam and reduce levels of cortisol – the stress hormone – in the body.14 Whether it’s dancing in your bedroom, going for a walk around the block, or doing some healing yoga, any form of activity can help restore your calm.
Therapy for Stress Symptoms
If your teen continues to struggle with stress or their symptoms won’t go away even with stress-management strategies, it may be time to talk to a mental health professional.
Therapy can help teens who are struggling with stress and other mental health challenges. It provides a safe space for them to work with a therapist to understand their condition, discover triggers, learn how to manage stress more effectively, and bring about healing.
Two evidence-based therapies that are particularly effective for treating stress-related disorders are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.15,16
CBT is a structured type of therapy that helps people change unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors to improve stress management. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy teaches people how to notice what is happening in the present without judgment, encouraging people to respond to challenges with more awareness and intention.
Plus, with early intervention for stress-related issues, teens can find relief from their symptoms and find a calmer way forward. However, it’s never too late to help your teen better manage their stress.
Mission Prep: Helping Teens to Manage Stress
If your teen is showing signs of stress, know that help is available. Early support can make a huge difference to how your teen copes with and manages their stress, both now and in the future. Your child doesn’t have to face this journey alone, and neither do you. We are here to help.
At Mission Prep, we specialize in supporting teens in overcoming mental health challenges such as stress and anxiety. Our team of experts provides personalized care, practical coping skills, and a safe space for teens to recover and heal. We also offer support and guidance for the entire family, so you know that you have someone to turn to.
Reach out to us today to find out how our therapy programs can help your teen feel calmer and more confident.
References
- The American Institute of Stress. (2025, May 15). What is stress? https://www.stress.org/what-is-stress/
- Chu, B., Marwaha, K., Sanvictores, T., Awosika, A. O., & Ayers, D. (2024, May 7). Physiology, stress reaction. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541120/
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (n.d.). I’m so stressed out! Fact sheet. Retrieved on October 10, 2025, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet
- The American Institute of Stress. (2025, April 24). Stress in Teens & Young Adults. https://www.stress.org/who-gets-stressed/teens-young-adults/
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2023). The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-7-things-to-know
- Hathaway, W. R., & Newton, B. W. (2023, May 29). Neuroanatomy, prefrontal cortex. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499919/
- American Psychological Association. (2024, October 22). How to help children and teens manage their stress. https://www.apa.org/topics/children/stress
- Østerås, B., Sigmundsson, H., & Haga, M. (2015). Perceived stress and musculoskeletal pain are prevalent and significantly associated in adolescents: An epidemiological cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 15, 1081. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-015-2414-x
- World Health Organization: WHO. (2025, September 1). Mental health of adolescents. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
- Crichton-Stuart, C. (2025, May 20). What are some foods to ease anxiety? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322652#dark-chocolate
- Benton, E. (2022, April 26). The benefits of journaling for stress relief. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/stress/how-to-begin-journaling-for-stress-relief
- Russo, M. A., Santarelli, D. M., & O’Rourke, D. (2017). The physiological effects of slow breathing in the healthy human. Breathe, 13(4), 298–309. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5709795/
- Khoury, B., Lecomte, T., Fortin, G., Masse, M., Therien, P., Bouchard, V., Chapleau, M., Paquin, K., & Hofmann, S. G. (2013). Mindfulness-based therapy: A comprehensive meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(6), 763-771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2013.05.005
- Harvard Health Publishing. (2020, July 7). Exercising to relax. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax
- Britton, W. B., Shahar, B., Szepsenwol, O., & Jacobs, W. J. (2011). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Improves Emotional Reactivity to Social Stress: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Behavior Therapy, 43(2), 365–380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2011.08.006
