Environmental Stressors

You may have to deal with unsafe living conditions, especially if you live in a city such as parts of Manhattan or Los Angeles, or a high crime neighborhood where there are drugs or guns being used and sold. Feeling unsafe in your home environment or school can be extremely stressful for a girl. One way to relieve some of this stress is to take a self-defense class. Ask your parents or someone at your school, church or synagogue where you can find a self- defense class for women. Often the YMCA will offer these classes at a low cost.

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Physiological stressor

Sometimes young people get sick, or get into serious accidents. Kids can get illnesses such as diabetes or cancer. The changes that can occur in your life after an accident or the diagnosis of an illness are physical, emotional and mental. Think about when you have had a bad cold and you didn't want to get out of bed. You could not do many of the fun things you normally do like go to school, play with friends or even fight with your brothers and sisters. If you are sick, try to maintain a positive attitude and talk to your parents and doctors when you are feeling stressed or depressed.

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Changes in your family

For many young people, their family is a source of stability and security. Changes in your family structure can be very stressful for all involved. Disruptions like an older brother or sister going to college, parents getting divorced, or an illness or death in the family can shake up the feelings of security and comfort that your family provides. The good news is that over time, things will not seem as bad as they did at first. But while you are waiting for time to pass, it is a good idea to talk to someone you trust about your feelings. This can be your parents, a teacher or a professional therapist. If you decide that you want to see a therapist, ask your parents or your school psychologist for a referral.

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Deal with your stress

There are healthy and unhealthy ways to deal with stress. Not dealing with it is unhealthy. Choosing to drink alcohol or do drugs to deal with stress is very unhealthy for many reasons. First, doing these things does not solve the problem or deal with what is making you stressed. It may or may not make you feel better for a very short time, but the stressed out feeling will always return if you do not deal with it directly. Second, using substances like alcohol or drugs to deal with problems only leads to more problems, like addictions. Use healthy stress busters to help you manage stress.

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Build up

People who do not deal with their stress, and let it build up are at risk for serious medial conditions. These include high blood pressure which can lead to a heart attack, stomach problems like ulcers (when excess acid burns a whole in the stomach), heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome (constant diarrhea). People who are always stressed are also more likely to become depressed, and depression can cause people to commit suicide.

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