What Causes Anger In Teens?
Teen anger happens more often than people think. In most cases, it’s not simply “bad behaviour.” There’s something more significant happening beneath the surface. The slightest error is enough to call their wrath. Their anger is always ready to erupt, and they miss no chance to express their annoyance, even at the most trivial things.
Well, angry teenagers are a reality! They showcase extensive emotions ranging from sudden irritability to recurrent temper outbursts. There are various reasons why teens and anger come hand in hand, including the interchange of brain maturation, changes in hormones, temperament changes, plus extensive social and environmental stressors.
In this article, we shall discuss why teenagers are so angry at all times and how this anger can be managed and handled.
Teen Anger And Psychology
Puberty is not easy! It brings with it a wide range of changes in the body. Teens don’t have to manage these changes, but also need to keep up with the societal pressure of being perfect, especially from their peers.
Alongside this, as the prefrontal cortex in teens is still maturing while their limbic system is highly reactive, their temperament keeps on fluctuating. For teens who have to deal with unavoidable stressors in their daily lives, including a conflict in the family or non-supportive parents, anger becomes a persistent part of their lives.
Why Are Teens So Angry?
Some primary reasons why the teens around you could be persistently angry may include:
- Harsh parenting methods
- Consistent family conflicts
- Peer victimisation, trolling, and ostracisation
- Poor emotion regulation
- Lack of sleep, mainly owing to screen addiction
Dealing With Anger In Teens
It’s not impossible to deal with anger in teens. Though it can be tough to cope with teenage anger issues and requires a lot of patience and tolerance, it is surely manageable. Here are some practical tips that can help you deal with anger in teens:
Gentle Parenting
The right kind of parenting strategies really make a massive difference in how a teen behaves. Though there are immense psychological and physical changes that lead to anger outbursts, positive reinforcement for prosocial behaviour surely works.
In fact, teenagers learn emotion management mainly by watching caregivers. This is why the adults must showcase calm behaviour at all times to bring up a pleasant teenager.
Regulating The Sleep Cycle
Though it may appear trivial to you, regulating the sleep cycle is extremely important to handle a teenager’s anger outbursts. Ensuring 8–10 hours of sleep is necessary for a growing kid to be able to control themselves emotionally. This reduces their overall irritability and the chances of anger outbursts.
Seek Professional Help
Sometimes, the consistent anger outbursts are not just about the usual growth patterns of individuals. Instead, this could be a sign of something much more serious. For instance, mental health issues like depression, ADHD, PTSD and mood disorders may manifest themselves in the form of anger. Seeking professional help gives a chance to clarify things for the better.
Therapy Helps
One of the best ways to manage anger in teenagers is through therapy, specifically Cognitive behavioural therapy. The CBT programs teach emotion labelling, cognitive restructuring, problem-solving and coping. This therapy trains teenagers in giving a name to their emotions and understanding their behaviours effectively.
Saalvio is a great online platform that offers fruitful teenage therapies. It also aids the teens in dealing with social stress and overthinking while letting them bring their lives back on track.