Understanding Aggressive Adolescents

Arguments and disagreements are a normal part of every family and relationship, but what happens when these disagreements escalate to verbal or physical abuse or aggression?

For many parents, teenage aggression may seem like a silly phase but there’s a dark side to it.

It can be taxing on parents dealing with aggressive behavior every day. Most are unable to cope with it. Nevertheless, teenagers may continue being aggressive because of physical and chemical changes.

Research has identified the following factors to be some of the leading causes for teenage aggression:

Abuse:
Physically or sexually abused children are more likely to feel anger and shame. They are also likely to stay silent about said abuse. This bottled up resentment and sense of insecurity may be released in the form of aggression.

Psychiatric Illness:
Teens suffering from depression, PTSD, panic disorder, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia may display aggressive behavior due to their condition.

Medical Disorder:
Teens are already experiencing a number of chemical changes in their bodies, but a medical condition such as brain damage, mental retardation, epilepsy, or Tourette’s syndrome may cause them to act unusually. These medical conditions need to be diagnosed and treated with proper medication to curb the aggression they cause.

Traumatic Events:
Going through a traumatic event such as the illness or death of a close family member, divorce, and harassment can affect the development of children. As a result, they may be aggressive due to the pent-up feelings they kept inside.

Addiction and Abuse:
Teenagers who get addicted to drugs and alcohol may become aggressive when they are unable to receive their daily dose.

Self-Esteem Issues:
Teens with low self-esteem tend to cover it up with aggressive behavior, especially when they are with their peers, so as not to feel insecure.

Peer Pressure:
Teenage life is already pretty hard without having to go through rejection from friends and peers. Teenagers who aren’t accepted by their groups may feel hurt and angry, and may act out in the form of aggressive behavior.

Solutions:
As a parent or caregiver, you can help your teen manage their aggressive behavior. Get them help in the form of therapy bya licensed professional who will help get to the bottom of their aggression and allow them to process and communicate their feelings in a healthier manner.

You can also include family counseling sessions where kids and parents can talk freely in a safe space. Such an activity can be essential for solving conflicts and problems in the relationship.

Create a behavioral contract with your tee, which helps them be more responsible for their actions.

You can even teach them a few relaxation techniques to perform when they get worked upor take a certain prescribed medication if the issue stems from a neurological or psychological problem.

Identifying the signs of aggression early and taking timely action can save your child from destructive behavior.

Youth With A Future’s youth leadership development programs helps aid in the personality development of young people. Book your teen a spot in our workshops today!