Teenagers are going through a lot in a short period of time, physically, emotionally, and socially. Teens need to adjust to these changes rapidly and are under a great deal of scrutiny from authority figures, family members, friends, and even their crushes.
Teens are often perceived as impulsive, reckless, and moody, and for good reason—they typically are. However, teenage behavioral problems can quickly become worse for a wide variety of reasons. Some reasons, such as hormonal fluctuations, are normal and not typically a cause for concern, but other causes of behavioral issues require immediate attention.
Hormones
Teen bodies are rapidly developing, and certain parts of the brain, particularly the emotional center, kick into overdrive to accommodate this growth. The prefrontal cortex is largely responsible for teenage impulsivity and poor decision-making, and this part of the brain won’t fully develop until your child is around 25 years old. Hormones influence many of the body’s systems, including the reproductive, nervous, and digestive systems.
As teenagers transition from childhood to adulthood, these hormonal changes naturally incline them to explore the world around them and take risks. Within reason, impulsive and self-destructive behavior can be normal. If risk-taking behavior leads to committing crimes with the wrong crowd or becoming addicted to drugs, they’ll need more help and resources to heal and make better choices.
Bullying or Peer Pressure
Connecting with peers at school or in other social settings is incredibly important for kids during their teenage years. Often, this can have a negative influence if peers start to tease, bully, or otherwise pressure someone into engaging in harmful or illegal activities. Social rejection can be very damaging for a teenager, leading to depression, anxiety, and other issues.
If your teenager is behaving in an excessively dangerous or reckless way that is typically unlike them, they may be pressured by friends, peers, or even bullies. Bullies may threaten physical or emotional harm if not obeyed, leading to more stress and reckless decisions.
School Stress
Once your teenager enters high school, the curriculum becomes more challenging, and there is increased pressure to perform well in order to graduate or be accepted into a good college. Social relationships are also more important, which can often lead to a struggle to balance academics, extracurricular activities, college prep, friendships, and relationships. Teens frequently lack the resources or skills to cope with stress in a healthy way, which can lead to behavioral problems like skipping school, failing grades, mood swings, or even anger management issues.
Home Life
Behavioral issues can often originate from home rather than school. If there are frequent conflicts in the house or there has been a sudden change in family dynamics, it can add stress to a teen’s life, resulting in declining mental health.
Parental divorce, custody arrangements, death in the family, moving to a new city or neighborhood, or other major life stresses can significantly disrupt a teenager’s emotional regulation. Evaluate what is happening at home that may be contributing to disharmony in your teen’s life, and try to come up with ways to make things smoother.
Mental Health Conditions
The teenage years are often when certain mental health conditions can show symptoms, like generalized anxiety disorder or depression. These conditions can significantly hinder teenagers’ ability to perform well in school, maintain healthy social relationships, or regulate their behavior as they once did. Getting evaluated and treated by a mental health professional can rule out any mental health conditions that contribute to behavioral problems.
Drugs or Alcohol
It’s not unusual for teenagers to experiment with drugs or alcohol due to peer pressure, curiosity, or school stress. Drug and alcohol abuse can directly cause behavioral changes due to their effects on the brain and nervous system. Teenagers may behave more impulsively, perform poorly in school, or skip class to fuel their habit. They may steal alcohol or prescription drugs from home or other sources to feed their addictions. Signs of alcohol or drug abuse include slurred speech, blacking out, or problems with coordination.
Social Media
In today’s screen-obsessed world, teenagers are subject to more peer pressure and social influence through their phones and computers. Social media can cause kids to lash out or behave impulsively in an attempt to gain popularity online. Social media engagement can trigger feel-good hormones in the brain, leading teens to rely on their screen time more and more for satisfaction and happiness.
Abuse or Trauma
In many cases of behavioral issues in children, abuse or trauma plays a major role. Abuse happens when a responsible party causes intense distress or harm purposely; it can be in the form of physical, emotional, or sexual. Kids often suffer abuse at the hands of someone they know, such as a community member, teacher, neighbor, or even family member.
It can be very difficult for teens to discuss abuse or even realize what it is. The trauma from abuse can result in mood swings, anxiety, lack of trust or respect for authority, truancy, depression, self-harm, addiction, and many other common symptoms of trauma. You must be patient with your child and encourage open discussions about their experiences, where they’re not punished for speaking out. If the abuse occurred within a trusted organization such as a school or church, you may want to consult with the Injury Lawyer Team to understand your rights and options.
Conclusion
It can be difficult as a parent to tell the difference between normal teenage behavior and something worse, such as trauma, addiction, or bullying. Approaching your teenager with patience and understanding is a great way to learn more about what is happening in their life that may be contributing to behavioral problems.
You’ll likely need additional resources, such as mental health professionals or school counselors, to get to the root of the problem. With education, care, patience, and support, you can gain a deeper understanding of your teen and learn how to help them cope with the challenges they face.
Also read:
How Dog Therapy Can Help Troubled Teens
Does My Teen Need Residential Therapy?
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