It’s no secret that teenagers can be angsty. They’re going through many changes, trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world. That’s a lot for anyone to handle, let alone a teenager who might not have the best coping mechanisms.

In this blog, our ADHD testing experts will explore teenage angst and a few ways to help your struggling teen.

Understand Teenage Angst

As an adult, you know how challenging and overwhelming it can be to deal with anger. So imagine how a teenager must feel dealing with this emotion when undergoing many significant changes. This is especially bad for teens who don’t have a healthy coping mechanism. These intense emotions put them at a direct risk because they might want to act on their feelings and harm others or themselves.

Parents need to understand that underneath all that anger, there are always other emotions that the child may not feel safe enough to express. A teenager would use anger to avoid emotions such as sadness, frustration, or hurt. If your teen is acting out in a troubled way, it might be the time to sit down with them and help them get in touch with whatever’s driving their anger.

Why Anger Might Not Be The Actual Problem

Although anger is an intense emotion, it’s a justified response to feeling powerless, hurt, or frustrated. The main issue here is how your teenager is handling this anger. Toddlers throw tantrums when hurt or upset, and teenagers do the same. They project their anger onto others as a way to cope with it.

But a teenager punching holes through the walls or getting into violent fights with their peers might be a problem. If you’re dealing with such a teenager, consider consulting an ADHD testing expert. They can offer valuable insights through testing.

 

 

How Can You Help Your Teenager Cope With Their Anger

1. Recognize The Signs

The first step in helping a teen with anger is recognizing the signs. Some common signs of anger in teens include outbursts, physical aggression, verbal abuse, and destruction of property. If a teen exhibits any of these behaviors, it is important to take action.

2. Talk To Them About What’s Going On

After recognizing the signs, you need to talk to your teen about what’s going on in their life. They might not be ready or willing to open up at first, but if you let them know that you’re there for them and want to help, they may eventually come around. It’s important to give them the space to talk about what’s going on in their life and how they’re feeling without judgment. Just listen and provide support.

 

3. Help The Teen Identify Triggers

After discussing the sudden outbursts, it is important to help the teen identify triggers. Triggers are anything that can cause an angry outburst. Common triggers for teens include stress, anxiety, and frustration. Once triggers have been identified, avoiding or healthily managing them is easier.

4. Help Them Find Healthy Outlets For Their Anger

Once you’ve helped your teen identify triggers, it’s time to help them find healthy outlets. This could mean anything from working out together to painting or journaling. The important thing is that they have an outlet where they can safely express their feelings without harming themselves or others.

5. Teach Healthy Coping Skills

Teaching teens healthy coping skills for dealing with anger is also important. Some healthy coping skills include meditating and deep breathing exercises. Teaching teens healthy coping skills can help them avoid unhealthy coping methods such as substance abuse or self-harm.

6. Teach Them How To Manage Stress

A big part of managing anger is learning how to manage stress. This is something that teenagers often struggle with because they don’t yet have the life experience to know how to handle stressful situations. Teach them some relaxation techniques like deep breathing or visualization and encourage them to practice these techniques when they feel overwhelmed.

 

7. Set Boundaries And Stick To Them

Let your teenager know what behavior is acceptable and what isn’t, and then follow through with consequences if they cross those boundaries. This will help them understand that there are limits to how they can express their anger and that there are consequences for breaking those limits.

8. Seek Professional Help If Necessary

If you’ve tried all these things and nothing is helping, it’s time to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor specializing in teenage anger management issues. They will be able to help your teen in a way you may not be able to, and they can provide additional support for both of you during this difficult time.

Get In Touch With The Best ADHD Testing Clinic Services In Stone Oak

At A thru Z Pediatrics, we are committed to providing exceptional care at our Stone Oak ADHD testing clinic. We offer annual visits for teenagers, where we conduct hearing and vision screenings. We also conduct counseling sessions after developmental assessment to help your teen through their difficult phase of life.

Additionally, if you’re noticing signs of ADHD in your child, we also offer FDA-approved computerized ADHD testing.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services.