Problems of Adolescence

For many teenagers, puberty is a time when psychological problems can arise. Many of them are temporary and a natural stage of development. Unfortunately, some children of adolescence are unable to cope with entering adulthood and independence. What behavior of a teenager may be cause for concern? What to pay special attention to? Can a visit to a psychologist be a solution to problems?

Adolescence is associated with the transition from immaturity to maturity on many different levels of life. During this time, the child shapes its attitudes in terms of emotional development and social functioning. It also develops intellectual functions. It is also the period when the young person actually gains a sense of their own identity and worth. The changes that accompany her in her life, however, can cause increased emotionality, mood swings and high tension. In part, this is normal and may be due to hormonal changes in the body. If a child’s reactions are too strong, we should monitor them and monitor them constantly.

The list of problems that teenagers may struggle with is open-ended, and it is impossible to list all the ills of adolescence. Parents have an influence on many of them, for example by giving the child too much or too little freedom. The child should not feel trapped by adults and should have the right to live in his own world without, of course, going from extreme to extremes. Many problems are related to modern technologies and computer addiction. Some young people are also very susceptible to others’ words, which can lead to eating problems or restrictive diets.

Adolescence is also the time when adolescents are usually faced with true freedom and the ability to decide about themselves and their free time for the first time. They are people without extensive life experience, therefore they often experiment. One of the manifestations of independence may be the first contact with stimulants, e.g. alcohol or cigarettes. It is important for the parent to remain vigilant and not to miss the period when the child is using prohibited substances, as this may result in an addiction that the teenager will not be able or willing to fight against.

Unfortunately, the causes of problems in adolescence are very often the parents themselves. Adults are often unaware that their behavior is detrimental to the child’s mental health. One example is being too persistent. As a parent, you need to realize that a teenager is no longer a little child and needs his own living space. Also, you shouldn’t criticize the baby too much. Of course, constructive remarks will certainly not hurt him, but constant attention and unfounded complaints can cause him to lack confidence. Another common mistake parents make is judgment by comparison. Just because someone is inferior to an activity does not mean that they have no value. Unfortunately, comparing to others may be perceived by the child as an attempt to attack.

Bad family situation, frequent quarrels, verbal aggression and bodily violence are just some of the factors that may adversely affect a child’s psyche. While we usually associate such cases with pathology homes, it does not actually have to be that way. If a teenager is very vulnerable, even minor family quarrels can be a source of stress and psychological disorders. That is why it is so important to avoid nervous quarrels in the presence of the child, which may disturb their sense of security.

Parents play a key role in the course of adolescence. Of course, other factors also count, such as the environment in which the child lives on a daily basis or peers, but it is up to the parent to control the child. In order for a teenager not to lose trust in the guardian, he should feel accepted and understood in his presence. A parent should respect the child’s privacy and ensure its stability on a daily basis. Co-decision is also important – the teenager’s parent should not make decisions for him or her unless necessary.

However, there are times when a parent is unable to control the turbulent behavior of a teenage child. This is especially true when we can perceive aggression or self-harm, i.e. self-harm, in his behavior. In such cases, it is not worth waiting for events to unfold. Instead, you need to react quickly while the situation is just developing. In order to prevent a tragedy, the only solution is often a visit to a psychologist who, after the diagnosis of the child, can offer appropriate therapy or treatment.

A visit to a child psychologist can be a great help for parents whose children struggle with the problems of adolescence, even the more trivial ones. Unfortunately, adolescents at this age are already fully aware of the role of a psychologist and may often refuse to participate in therapy. If this is the case, we should convince the child that visits to a psychologist are normal and that many people of all ages use them. This does not mean that they are in any way worse. Being open to participation in therapy can greatly accelerate its effects.

Psychological therapy for problems in adolescence is the most effective and fastest way to deal with the problem. During the meetings, the psychologist will not only talk to the child and learn about his motivations, but also provide the parents with the necessary instructions and indicate what they should change in their behavior so that the child regains its psychological balance. The involvement of caregivers is a prerequisite for successful therapy.