In today’s rapidly changing and evolving world, teenagers face more difficult challenges. Adolescence is a critical developmental stage during which children undergo rapid physical, emotional, and social changes. Many young people get through this period with resilience and flexibility, but some may suffer from more serious emotional or mental health issues that often go unnoticed. . It is very important for parents and guardians to pay attention to warning signs that their teen may be struggling internally.
“Teens often behave in ways that their parents don’t understand. Unbeknownst to their parents, much of it is rooted in normal developmental patterns. During adolescence, teens They learn to make age-appropriate choices. In the process of developing these skills, children may make “stupid” mistakes, which parents view as signs of “irresponsibility” or “immaturity.” May be classified. This often happens because the necessary abilities are not developed. However, when poor choices have a significant impact on academics, social success, and self-esteem, it is important to understand the underlying reasons why such outcomes occur,” says Dr. Mikal, Medical Director, STEPS Mental Health Center, Gurugram. says Dr. Pramit Rastogi, a child and adolescent psychiatrist.
Dr. Pramit further shared with HT Lifestyle some important signs and red flags that can help you identify if your teenager is dealing with more serious emotional or mental health issues.
Understanding the adolescent brain
The prefrontal cortex of the brain controls choices and decision-making. Responsible for planning, organization, and emotional regulation. From the age of 13 until he is 18 years old, this part of the brain is still developing (interestingly, it continues to develop until the age of 25!). As a result, at this age it is normal for teenagers to:
- Reluctance to study “boring” subjects.
- Difficulty choosing between competing priorities. For example, attending a party the day before the exam.
- He lies and doesn’t take responsibility for his actions, but when confronted, he confesses.
- Drag yourself to do chores around the house, like cleaning the cupboards or helping around the house.
- Protect their online/social life, but share your struggles when you are in trouble.
- They strive to fit into society, sometimes enduring their own discomfort. For example, you pay very close attention to your appearance or wear clothes that are fashionable but that you actually dislike.
Responsibility structures, such as schools and supportive parents and teachers, play an important role in providing the scaffolding teens need to get through this period. Keep them safe and on the path to growth into healthy adults.
early signs
If there is a negative impact on your day-to-day work, the story starts to change. This deviation is often observed for one or more of the following reasons:
- Excessive protection or lack of expected responsibility for children at home.
- Low self-esteem can lead to poor social choices and conflict with family rules and laws.
- Impulse control difficulties caused by biological predispositions.
- Parents may find themselves observing behaviors that align with the following themes:
- They have little interest in academic ability and have a negative attitude towards studying.
- You will be notified from time to time by the school regarding academic or disciplinary issues.
- We (parents) are working harder than our children to prepare for university entrance exams.
- The frequency of lying increases, leading to decreased trust and discord within the family.
- New social difficulties due to limited friends or intense and short-lived friendships.
At this stage, we encourage parents to be curious and try to understand their child’s struggles. It’s important to speak in an open and comforting tone, allowing your child to feel safe expressing what may be bothering them. Parents should never label their children with words like “pathological liars,” “you can’t be trusted,” or “there’s no one like you in my family.” These tend to reinforce negative self-perceptions and further perpetuate bad behaviors.
Recognize red flags
More serious conflicts around taking responsibility do not happen overnight, but build up over time. What was initially perceived as an acceptable shortcoming now feels out of place and has become an established norm of behavior. Most often due to the amplification of existing difficulties (overprotection, low self-esteem, biological predisposition), they can manifest as:
- A shocking contradiction in academics. For example, missing an exam due to lack of preparation, missing a number of days of attendance, or failing to attend a scheduled tutoring session.
- A complete breakdown in the parent-child relationship, including screen use, sleep regulation, and non-adherence to reasonable household rules.
- Strong disciplinary action from the school leading to suspension or suspension.
- After school is a gap year due to poor planning and execution for college.
- A pattern of high-risk behavior without accountability for any actions.
- Significant impulsivity, including theft, physical aggression, and use of abusive language.
In such situations, it is essential to seek professional help. Interventions typically include:
- Rather than focusing only on current symptoms, develop a systematic understanding of when the problem occurs (from childhood to adolescence).
- We work with children and parents to develop strategies and build support systems.
- Medication use for impulse control disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Utilize academic or cognitive assessments to identify learning disabilities.
- Psychoeducation to foster empathy for conflicts between children and parents.
Children’s conflicts can be overwhelming, but timely intervention is possible, and parental support, patience, and healing are the only cures.
