The ability to cope with extreme stress effectively will depend on the persons access to positive resources, innate abilities and awareness. We know that each person is different in regards to their own nature, strengths and personal challenges. Two people experiencing the same situation can have totally different reactions. In that respect, each individual has to be assessed as an unique situation, and one approach for coping and recovering from the stress may not be appropriate for the other person. There are some certain approaches, considerations and general concerns that are good to know.
One situation for example is a young adult still living at home with parents whose relationship is problematic. Sometimes the teen or early teen may want to help ease the situation but obviously is unable, and that can produce a whole range of negative emotions in addition to the extreme stress. The teen will need to be made aware, that in that kind of situation, they don’t have to take any responsibility for their parents behavior or choices. When the parents are fighting, the best action for the teen to be removed from the scene. When it starts, find somewhere that is positive and non-stressful to go. Anything that is positive in nature like going for a relaxing walk or visiting a friend is something the teen should try to do. Communicating with those that have shared experiences is one way of handling particular types of trauma and the stress that comes from it. This association is often called a support group and some people can find them valuable. Not everybody will be comfortable in a group environment. One of the benefits of a support group is that they can be very helpful to those who have limited resources and personal types of support. There may not be family members or close friends available in the immediate environment.
Children will need to have professional intervention if they have been exposed to extreme stress or trauma situations. Children are not capable of understanding what is happening within and may only display symptoms. Signs that a child might be in this situation could be aggressiveness, extreme withdrawal, physical symptoms of stress reactions and other symptoms. Depending on the situation, the parents may need to be involved so they can help their child deal with the stress.
Ways to effectively handle extreme stress is very different between adults, teens and young children. The best route for any age group, but especially for young children is professional treatment. It can be beneficial to offer ongoing long term support to adults and teens depending on the nature of the trauma. In either case, personal support systems consisting of good friends and family can play a major and positive role with recovery.