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Teens go through major physical and emotional changes as they transition into adulthood. Growth spurts triggered by surges in hormones can contribute to mood swings, as can changes still happening in their brains. A teen’s brain is wired differently from a mature adult’s brain. It is still in the process of developing and being restructured, and does not reach full maturity until the mid-20s. The prefrontal cortex, which is the area primarily responsible for executive functions such as decision-making, self-control, and emotional regulation, is still forming new synapses. As a result, teens are often unable to think through things on an adult level and may be prone to making poor decisions and acting impulsively. It is also the reason why teens differ from adults in their ability to interpret emotional cues in the facial expressions of others and tend to misread them. Whereas the adult brain uses the prefrontal cortex to do this, teens rely on the amygdala, which is the part of the brain responsible for emotional reactions. Typical Teen Behavior Versus Troubled Teen Ones Changing Appearance Keeping up with fashion trends is important to teens because it helps build their confidence, enables them to express their individuality, and is a way of fitting in with their peers. It only becomes a red flag when it is accompanied by negative changes in behavior, problems at school, self-harm, or extreme weight loss or weight gain. Arguments and Rebellious Behavior As teens start striving to become independent, they may argue and butt heads with you. It only becomes a red flag if the arguments escalate, your teen becomes violent, gets into fights, or has run-ins with the law. Mood Swings and Irritability Rapid growth and hormonal changes in teens often lead to mood swings, irritability, and trouble managing their emotions. [...]

If you’re raising or taking care of a teen, one of the fears that you may have is that your teen will become a statistic. Usually, that’s meant negatively, whether it’s numbering among teens who drop out of school, teens who get involved with sex or drugs, or teens who turn to crime. The specter of these possible futures frightens parents and caregivers, and it can lead to dysfunctional parenting. The reality is that some teens do find themselves in trouble. A parent or caregiver’s responsibility is to steward this young life, this precious gift from the Lord, and to try to nurture them and set them on the path they should pursue. Part of discharging this responsibility is setting healthy patterns in place, as well as being able to identify when a child is in trouble and needs support. It’s important to know how to deal with your teen, and that includes knowing how to meaningfully support them when they are a troubled teen. What is a troubled teen? The term “troubled teen” is not a clinical term by any means, and it can conjure a variety of images that may be inspired by popular culture. A troubled teen can come in different guises, which means a parent or caregiver needs to be alert and discerning. It can be easy to miss the signs of trouble if you’re looking in the wrong places. The adolescent years mark a deeply transformative and impactful stage of life, characterized by significant emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual growth. They are becoming the people they will likely be for the rest of their lives. That’s huge, and as you can imagine, for some teens, these vast changes can be overwhelming. These changes, or other life experiences, may lead to them becoming what’s known [...]