Teenagers are at a very impressionable age. They are trying to figure out who they are as individuals and how they fit into the world around them.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common problems that teenagers face and how you can help them deal with those problems.
Changing Bodies
You must remember that teenagers go through many changes. They are expected to be mature, but they are still growing up. Their bodies are changing, and it can be awkward for them. They may feel embarrassed like they’re the only one going through this, so it’s important to make sure that your child feels comfortable when talking about these things with you or another trusted adult in their life.
Explain what’s happening and why.
Emotions they don’t understand
The teenage years are full of new emotions. Teenagers may not understand these new feelings and may feel confused, frightened, or overwhelmed by them. They can also feel very alone in their experiences because no one else around them seems to be experiencing the same thing. The best thing you can do for your teenager is to encourage them to talk about their feelings and help them work through these feelings in healthy ways.
If they won’t talk with you, don’t worry that happens all the time. Find them a counselor at this brand of site built specifically for teens that they can talk to in a safe environment.
I’m being bullied at school.
Bullying is a serious problem and it’s not always the bully, the victim, or even the parents. Bullying has actually been found to cause more lasting mental effects than abuse from adults! With 22% of teens in the US experiencing bullying in a single year that’s a considerable number of children are looking at lasting mental health issues.
Talk to your teen about bullying regularly and not just about if they experience bullying themselves, but what to do if they witness it.
Talk about when they need to ask an adult for help, despite their growing need for independence. Make sure they understand that there’s never anything wrong with asking for help.
Feeling Inferior
Feeling inferior, for the most part, is a common problem among teenagers. They often feel that they aren’t good enough compared to others. This can be due to societal pressure or simply being deceived by the media.
As a teenager, you need to understand that no one is perfect, and everyone has their own flaws. You shouldn’t compare yourself with others because it will only lead to frustration when you realize that they are better than you in some aspects of life and not so much in others.
Instead of comparing yourself with others, focus on your strengths and weaknesses so you can improve on them instead of concentrating on what makes someone else more superior than yourself in certain fields.
Remember that other people’s opinions don’t matter as much as yours does! And if someone fails at something doesn’t mean they’re not worthy of respect or love; it just means they need more practice before achieving perfection. If someone doesn’t like who we are or how we act, then let them go! Don’t let other people change who we really are inside our hearts and minds because those traits make us unique from everyone else around us who aren’t exactly alike either
I’m lonely and depressed all the time.
Depression is not a normal part of growing up and it is not just sadness. It can be dangerous if left untreated and may lead to suicide. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 4.1 million US teenagers suffered from depressive episodes in 2020.
Symptoms of major depression in teens can include:
- Sleep problems
- Frequent health issues like chronic headaches
- Mood swings
- Behavioral changes
Sex
Sex is a very common problem faced by teenagers, around 30% of teens claimed they were sexually active in 2019 according to the Youth Behavioral Surveillance System survey. It is natural and normal for teenagers to be curious about sex, but they need to learn how to handle it in the right way.
New feelings and changing bodies can encourage teens to experiment before they’re ready and for all the wrong reasons.
Talk with your child about safe sex and why it’s important whether you think the school already covered it or not. Nearly half of the sexually transmitted diseases reported in 2018 were among teens and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24.
Mistakes are made, make sure they know they can talk to you without judgment when they do.
Friends and More than Friends
Not only do teens start to feel awkward in social situations, but they’re also exploring their sexuality as puberty changes everything.
Competition starts with peers, friend groups change, and dating may start to take priority. Social circles can expand and shrink, all during a time when your child doesn’t even understand who they are anymore.
Don’t make talking about dating, romance, and sex uncomfortable. Be rational and let them know you’re there when they need you, no questions asked. If they do come to talk and share your experiences, sometimes that helps put them at ease.
Should I be doing drugs?
Substance abuse is one of the largest problems parents of teens face. Between peer pressure and struggle with depression and anxiety, teens are faced with more problems than they may know how to handle.
With 15% of teens struggling with depression, 8% suffering through an anxiety disorder, and 11% coping with ADHD, teens are struggling with more emotional and mental turmoil than ever before and this makes them vulnerable and incredibly susceptible to alcohol and drugs.
Conclusion
Parents play an important role in this and all phases of a child’s development. In the end, you know your child better than anyone else.
Understanding what your teen may be facing in life makes it all the easier to help them through it whether it’s talking with them and helping them work through it yourself, or getting a professional to guide them.
