While parenting a child of any age is never easy, dealing with a young child or teen who expresses themselves with violent behavior, depression, alcohol/drug abuse or other patterns of reckless behavior, the results can seem beyond your ability to cope as a parent. Solutions may elude you, as you exhaust yourself with no sleep, worrying about where your child may be, who they are with or what they’re doing. After failed attempts to talk things out, you may be experiencing endless fights, tantrums and defiance. When dealing with violent mood swings and explosive anger, you and other family members may live in a house of fear and confusion. There are steps that can ease the chaos at home and help your young child or teen transform into a happy, productive young adult.
Young people between the ages of 12 and 18 experience a need to assert their independence in order to find their own identity. However, many may experience behavioral changes that a parent sees as bizarre and unpredictable. That sweet, loving child that used to always want to do things with you, now no longer wants to come near you. These behaviors may all be normal personality growth changes that will work themselves out with consistent vigilance and patience.
However, you may be the parent of a child that is suffering with psychological, emotional or behavioral disorders that indicate greater challenges for themselves, you, as the parent, and other members of the household. Troubled young people suffering from the above-mentioned disorders often practice at-risk behaviors. Those can include skipping school, drinking, drug use, violence, sex, self-harming, shoplifting or other criminal acts. They may also exhibit symptoms of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, isolation or eating disorders. Which behaviors are normal and which are indicators of more serious problems may be difficult for parents to discern.
Seek professional help should you fear that your young person has stepped over the line from normal personality transitioning into one of destructive behavior. Changing of appearance is normal. A change in appearance accompanied by problems at school, cutting, self-harm or extreme weight loss or gain warns of a troubled teen. Mood swings due to hormonal changes is normal. Mood swings that are accompanied by failing grades, sadness, a lack of sleep or constant anxieties may indicate depression, bullying or other emotional issues. An experiment with drugs or alcohol is normal. Abuse of drugs or alcohol is a problem that needs to be immediately addressed. Each child typically goes through a phase where friends seem more important than parents. However, if a child or teen exhibits an extreme withdrawal from parents, along with an abrupt change in peer group to one with worrisome behaviors; this could indicate greater problems. A refusal to abide by boundaries and house rules, disrespectful and violent behavior – all may be indicators of the troubled teen.
If you recognize the face of a troubled teen or youth in your home, seeking professional help may be the best answer. Contact Lava Heights Academy to gain assistance in diagnosing your child’s troublesome actions, along with a direction for ensuring your child’s safety and restoring their emotional health and balance.
Distributed by Client Initiatives
Media Contact
Company Name: Lava Height Academy
Contact Person: Dane Shakespeare
Email: Dane@daneshakespeare.com
Phone: 888-837-3581
Address:730 Spring Drive
City: Toquerville
State: Utah
Country: United States
Website: http://www.lavaheightsacademy.com/