Adolescence can be bittersweet. The feelings associated with it usually depend not so much on what a teen experiences, but on how they handle those experiences. Knowing this, you can help your teen to build the skills they need to navigate this life stage successfully.

Teens can appear to be dramatic or angry for no apparent reason. They can be reckless and do things adults may call “stupid.” There are immense pressures that make their lives challenging, even feeling traumatic at times. A licensed therapist can help your teen learn effective coping strategies and skills to move through their teen years in a healthy way!

Aspects of the Teenage Years

To help your teen through adolescence and to become a resilient, responsible adult, there are some fundamental facts that can be helpful. Knowledge is empowering, and knowing that you can bring in professional help when necessary is reassuring.

• Raging hormones can drive them to appear impulsive, melodramatic, egocentric, unappreciative etc. These are just some words you may use to describe your teen because of their behavior. You may be bothered by how fast their moods and perspectives can change; it may feel almost like having a “Jekyll and Hyde” under your roof.
• Physical and psychological changes during this stage of development can make your child feel ambivalent, confused, awkward, clumsy, and sensitive about themselves. Emotionally, they may be more susceptible to low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and related conditions.

• Their brain is still “under construction.” Your teens may look like adults on the outside, but inside, they are still maturing, especially cognitively. According to Strauch (2003), “the connections between neurons affecting emotional, physical and mental abilities are incomplete” (cited in Erin Morgan’s Adolescent Growth and Development, VirginiaCooperative Extension).
• Specifically, the frontal lobe, which controls important functions like attention, empathy, and impulsivity, does not reach maturity until age 25. This can explain why your teen may experience difficulty in controlling their impulses, emotions, and behaviors.

• Teenagers are curious. It is common for teens to experiment and try different things to satisfy their thirst for knowledge and new experiences. Your child is no different. This exploration can change their perspectives and preferences for a long time, if not permanently.
• Unfortunately, not every new experience is positive. Some can bring a lot of negativity. Unguided, your teen’s experiments or risky behaviors may lead to life-changing consequences like teen pregnancy, legal involvement, substance abuse, etc.

• They are in a critical stage of self-discovery. “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom,” says Aristotle. This process usually becomes more active during adolescence. After being carefree as a young child, your teen must start trying to figure out their identity. This can be tough, considering that your child’s identity is ever evolving and may need some guidance.

• Family can be their first source of overwhelm. Your teen may act tough, defiant, and egocentric, but they are easily influenced by your family. Confronted with family dynamics, wanting to be appreciated, or wanting to make parents feel proud, they may get lost and confused along the way. Witnessing parental conflicts and getting caught up in family problems can be too much for them. 

Moving Forward with the Help of a Therapist 

There are certain things that you can’t change in your child’s life. Life transitions, milestones, and the associated challenges are inevitable battles they must face. Making mistakes is normal and can teach important lessons. However, when mistakes are fast and frequent, they can be difficult to process. This is where a trained therapist can be exceptionally helpful. 

Carolina Counseling Services – Pittsboro Office contracts with licensed therapists and counselors that can help you teen tackle this difficult phase of life. They can provide support and help them to learn valuable skills that will help them throughout their life. Call CCS today to schedule an appointment. Online counseling and in person sessions are available!