SYMPTOMS OF TROUBLED TEEN

There are some symptoms of troubled teenagers. Parents should look out for these signs and recognize a number of symptoms in their child. Parents who really take care of their child should need to look after behavioral pattern of the child and if you think your child is in trouble, don’t wait take the action immediately.

When parents hear the words "Troubled teen" they are worried and concerned for their child. So many people have assumptions about “Troubled Teen” which may or may not be proper.

As there are many organizations and programs that help troubled teens. But you should exactly know what problem your teen is facing. So, take a quick look at the following symptoms to determine your awareness of this very important subject.

Here are some common symptoms seen with troubled teens -

1. Negative peer association
A healthy part of every child's development is involvement with his peers, but the worried part is its negative influence. Negative peer pressure actually takes place during the adolescence period as teens develop a sense of independence. It is during this period they try new things or think the world around them is the greatest.

Today’s youth are growing up faster than any previous generation and are making difficult decisions at younger age. AS ADULTS, we make most of our own decisions, but sometimes there are situations where you don't have a clear idea of right or wrong answer. Some times, we do take decisions against our judgment and go with what our friend’s advice. Peer pressure can definitely turn on our attitudes and mindset, mostly when we are not sure of ourselves. Many of us behave in the way to be liked or to fit in, just because of the curiosity that our friends group may not like us if we don't act or behave according to them. Even the people around you, their personality, attitudes and ethics sometimes influence you.

It is, after all, the human nature to be part of group and society.

2. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
Oppositional defiant disorder is behavior disorder where it is described as a disobedient pattern, purposefully bother and irritate others, arguing, and angry or disruptive behaviors toward elders. This likely goes beyond the bounds of normal childhood behavior. The children showing symptom of refusing requests by adults, lose their temper and disobey rules. Most commonly they turn away attention from themselves and cause parents and other family members to fight with one and other. They easily blame others for their mistakes.
Children with ODD show such a difficult behavior that can interfere -learning, school adjustment and even with the child's social relationships.

3. Academic or learning difficulties (LD), including Attention Deficit
When children struggling with LD have difficulty in learning skills they may have problems in understanding, hearing and viewing information, sequence or organize the things, memory problem and many more of such kind. Such problems may impact the ability of child. Like slow, tedious and awkward handwriting additionally, spelling mistakes, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, or sentence construction, more over they may face communication delays, difficulty with speech i.e. communicating thoughts. Delays in learning various movements such as sitting, walking, coloring, and using scissors etc.
Typical learning difficulties include dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia – often complicated by associated disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

4. Drug Abuse
The use of illegal drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used is Drug Abuse.
This is an increasing problem in our young generation and cause great social and economic costs on crime and health. Teenagers take drugs for various reasons, like curiosity, because they feel good, to relax, feel grown up etc.  This may develop serious problems.
Symptoms for Drug Abuse may include change in personality, depression, stealing money, get angry, stay alone, non participate in activities, changed physical appearance, loosing or gaining weight, sleeping habits, social performance, forgetting things, emotionally disturbed, low interest in family activities, negative attitude, peer relationship, Irresponsible behavior, loving loneliness, attending parties, making new friends who are not capable of proper judgment, change in dressing style than normal, And many more.

5. Manipulative behavior
Manipulation is a set of behaviors person thinks: Get what you want forcefully from others even when the others are not willing to give it to you. Teens having manipulation behavior is experiencing feelings of fear, insecurity, and anxiety, feel compelled to do something without understanding why they are doing it, extreme tearfulness; lying; cheating; pitting one person against another; ask for special favors; making excessive unnecessary demands

Some of the factors that subsequently lead MB are related to:-
Afraid  of close relationships;
To be liked by everyone;
Distrust of others;
Difficulty in forming meaningful relationships;
No self control;
Decreased acceptance of rational authority.

6. Anger Issues
Anger is "an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage," Anger is a human emotion. But when you loose control on it, it can lead to various problems in your life.
You may cause anger by - worrying about your personal problems; disappointments, memories of enraging events etc.
Natural way to express anger is to respond aggressively,
Most teens facing anger Issues tend to become aggressive, extremely silent, and depressed.

Some of the warning signs are as following:-
Loud and yelling
Frequently getting angry
Makes threats
Do not accept things easily.
Disobey rules.
Being cruel
Fights with others
Spend a lot of time alone
Depressed
Cant express emotions
Avoid conversation
Self-blaming unnecessarily
Suddenly reply angrily and violently
Kick doors,
well at blaming others
Do not admit mistakes

Teens that face this problem are dangerous to others and themselves. So parents should take right steps at right time.

7. Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be seen in some children in schooling years. Children having ADHD find It hard to control their behavior or concentrate. Students with ADHD may have hyperactive behaviors or attention problems. These behaviors can be seen around in child at school, at home, and with friends.
Three main symptoms of AD/HD:-
a. Paying attention,
b. Hyperactivity means being very active, and
c. Acting before thinking “Impulsivity”.
Children having ADHD do not pay attention, can't focus on work, do not obey or complete the work, unable to organize task and are distracted easily even they lose things. They are very active more than required and they act before thinking, fidget and squirm, talk too much, answer before questioned and interrupt others.

8. Depression
Depression is a physical as well as a psychological illness. Anyone can have depression; it can affect anyone at any age. This is an illness that causes a person to feel sad and hopeless many times. It is different from normal feelings of sadness, regret, or low energy. Depressed people have negative views about themselves.
Some of the symptoms of depression are: -
Feel low
Sudden weight changes
Sleeping problems
Irritability
Loss of energy
Feel worthless
Concentration problem
Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
Loss of interest in daily activities
Getting aches and pains
Person can come out of Depression with a proper treatment.

If your teen is facing any of the above problems or has any symptoms, it’s high time you need to think seriously about proper treatment.