L.A. Parent: What Does Burnout Look Like in Kids and Tweens?
L.A. Parent and CBS 2 recently interviewed Sabrina Renteria, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Cedars-Sinai, about burnout and stress in children and teens, which often is heightened at the beginning of the school year.
Renteria said that burnout—typically caused by academic pressure, participation in too many activities, emotional stress from social relationships, and lack of rest and relaxation—can show up differently depending on the child and their age.
“In elementary and middle school children, stress can look like snappiness or irritability, lack of energy or fatigue or tearfulness,” Renteria told L.A. Parent. “Children might even express frustration or that they feel like giving up. Frequent complaints of aches like headaches or stomachaches can be a red flag.”
Renteria said that parents should help their kids find the right balance between organized activities and free time, and that openly communicating with them about their feelings and concerns is important.
“Teaching them healthy coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness and relaxation techniques, equips them to manage stress effectively,” Renteria told L.A. Parent. “Encouraging a balanced lifestyle with regular exercise, a nutritious diet and ample sleep fosters overall well-being.”
Renteria told CBS 2 that parents can consider professional help for their children if their stress level doesn’t improve over time.
“I would give it a few weeks for the most part, but if you notice that your child is showing really severe changes, like they’re more irritable, tearful, extremely anxious and maybe not even wanting to go to school, that can be a trigger for you to seek the help of a professional,” she said.
Click here to read the complete article from L.A. Parent and click here to watch the entire interview on CBS 2.