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Teenage Problems And Solutions

1. Depression – Down Way Of Life

Depression is the most common mental health problem faced by teenagers


which may sometimes lead to suicide. Teenagers can’t differentiate sadness
and depression. Many factors can lead to depression and the reaction of each
teen is different to such things.

Symptoms Of Major Depression In Teenagers

 Teenage sleep problems


 Behavioral changes
 Careless about physical safety
 Disturbed mental health
 Frequent health issues like headache
 Preoccupation with death and suicide
 Giving warning hints such as “I won’t be a problem for you much
longer”
 Prolonged sad or angry mood
 Suddenly clearing out belongings and getting them in order
 Becoming suddenly cheerful without reason after being depressed
 Teenage pregnancy problems
These are the most teenage health problems symptoms you can observe
in your child’s  behavior. So, being a parent, what should you do? Well,
find a good place to talk. Make your child comfortable with the
surroundings and talk to him/her calmly and patiently. Try to identify
your child’s problem and see what you can do to help him/her out.

2. Drinking, Smoking And Drugs

Teenagers find drinking alcohol, having drugs, smoking hookah or cigars very


fashionable and trendy. It makes them feel very cool and proud and be part of
the grown ups crowd. They suddenly feel that rush in them, all energized,
wanting to explore anything and everything.

To deal with this problem effectively, first and foremost, try to find out the
reason why your teen is drinking alcohol or getting into smoking and drugs. If
parents consume alcohol on regular basis, then teen is more likely to start
drinking at an early age. You must have heard an old famous quote which
goes on like “Monkey See- Monkey Do”

Parents need to feel free to talk to their teens about certain subjects like
dating, sex, drugs, and alcohol. It is this inability to discuss the good and bad
points that drives them to take wrong steps out of curiosity.
Someone drinks with curiosity and some to get out of feeling of hell! Alcohol
acts as a depressant and helps them to escape their troubled teen lives.
When teens see their peers drinking or smoking, they too indulge in without
thinking right or wrong. Peer pressure is probably the toughest challenge
teens have to deal with.

And the least a teenager would want is to be left out of his/her group of
friends. When it comes to drugs, the most important thing as parents
you can do is express plenty of love to your juniors to get them rid of
this deadly addiction.

3. Cyber Space Addiction

It’s no secret that many teens are big fans of cyber space. They are always
glued to their computers, laptops or cell phones. Internet is very useful, it
makes things very easy but like everything has its pros and cons, so does
internet.

You are surely known with the fact how one can become trapped and hooked
to internet with all the attractive things its got to offer. So, one must be careful
while using internet day and night and be rational. Parents must monitor what
their children are doing with the smart devices and to what extent are they
being exposed to the world outside.

You must make sure to spend good amount of time your children to build that
bond of love and trust so that they can freely communicate their thoughts,
feelings and problems with you.
4.Your Teen Dislikes You

Children in their teens tend to reject their parents. They do not like
communicating often or confiding in them. They are more comfortable in their
friend’s company. It is common with every teenager.

You need to understand this is a temporary phase and children too know they
still need their parents no matter how reluctantly they act and is it common to
have teenagers problems with parents.

5.  Staying Out Too Late


It takes a toll on parents when their teenage kids stay out too late in the night.
You surely must have set good limits for your children but then why do they
break them again and again?

In this case, your child does not feel happy to stay at home. You must try to
talk to your child calmly and find out what is the reason that is keeping him/her
so late. Teenage girl problems are more common as they observe changes in
their body suddenly. You must ensure to set proper rules for them.

If they still continue to ignore you, it is time to set the consequences and
ensure that they follow the said rules.  for eg.. you can try like “no going out in
evenings this whole week”, “no hanging out with friends for a week, if proper
timing is not followed”
Along with the above, teenage attitude problems also include generation gap,
parental exception, career judgement, socialization, peer pressure and sexual
pressure. All these are likely to make them depressed and stressed. One and
only best solution for these problems is your unconditional love and care. Be
their best friend and guide them without being demanding. Trying to control
them harshly or imposing things will only make situations worse for you as
well as them.

How have you taken care of your child’s common teenage problems? Share
with us in the comments below.
TEENAGE PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS:

(A) Physical Problems

Teenagers feel that no one can talk to them anymore, They will be starring at the mirror, For
Boys: they think they now have muscles, For Girls: They think they are now matured than their
parents.
Negative habits will now start developing. This is one of the common problems facing the
teenager…

 Solution:
Parents/guidance who wants to control this problem should be careful with their teenaged
children’s physical built. They should be directed well.

(B) Social Problems

According to “Ambassador Victor Chidera”, teenagers quarrel oftenly, peer group always
influence the teenagers.
At teenage Stage of life they start dressing indecently and claiming to know it all(Ignorance)
because their friends are doing so. This is one of the problem faced at teenage stage.

 Solution
1. Parents should not hinder them from socializing but quickly give them good direction to
follow.
2. Parents should not wait until bad behaviours are learnt before correcting them.
3. Parents/guidance should inculcate in them the good dressing habits.
(C) Emotional Problems

Teenagers are easily aroused emotionally. Whenever you scold them or try to correct then in a
high manner, they will have a physiological response to that situation.

Teenage emotional problems includes:

Frequent anger,out burst and jealousy. All these are natural.

 Solutions
1. They should be allowed to exhibit their emotion and be corrected when necessary.
2. Parents should calm down when their teenage children burst into anger and simply tell
them the Implications.
(D) Mental Problems

Teenage talks too much(Frequently), and always imitate those negative actions that are too bad.
This is also one of the problems facing the teenage life.
READ ALSO: Relationship tips and advice
 Solutions
1. Always warn them to stay away from negative discussions
2. Give answers to their questions to clear their doubt, through your answers, attached a
piece of advice to it.
(E) Spiritual Problems

This is the most-problems teenagers face in the society, Every bad behaviours are being
registered to their spirit/soul.

It is very hard for them to amend their ways; If care is not properly taken, they might be difficult
to change through there lifetime thereby liabilities to the society. The spiritual aspects of a
teenager is what leads him/her to adulthood.

 Solutions
1. Parents/guidance should always be a good example, because the spiritual development of
teenage stage depends on what the person sees from you.
2. Parents can also use Word of Wisdom/Scriptures to improve the mental abilities of their
teenage children.
Other teenage problems and their solutions:

1. Acne
2. Depression
3. Laziness
4. Smoking/Drinking of alcohol
5. Lust
 Solutions
Acne breakout during teenage period is very normal, all you have to do is to maintain your
physical appearance.
As for Depression,Laziness,Smoking/Drinking alcohol,lust…. The only solution lies on the
teenagers; Identify your bad habits, Map out strategies you can use to stop them.
Teenage Problems in School and Tips to Resolve Them

By Tara KuneshM. Ed.

The teenage years are difficult. Growing up, as Peter Pan will


testify, is not for the faint of heart. Problems in school, such as
stress, self-image, and emotional control, are often exacerbated by
the mass hormonal maelstrom that is more commonly known as
high school, making it seem like a physical and psychological
obstacle course rather than a place of learning.
Teen Stress
School is a stressful time. The American Psychological Association states school is the biggest
source of stress for teenagers. The pressure on young adults to perform well in a variety of
academic, sporting, and extracurricular activities is grueling. On top of this, teens at high school
are expected to make wise, life-changing decisions. The modern world is wonderful in that there
are so many choices available for students, but these same options can make their high school
years seem overwhelming.

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What to Do About Teen Stress


You can't alleviate the stress and pressure of making life decisions for an 18-year-old. However,
as a parent, there are some behaviors you can encourage to help your teen through this stressful
time.

 Make sure your teen gets adequate exercise. Take family walks, go hiking or do some other
activity together. The American Psychological Association notes exercising is one of the best ways
to reduce stress, but doing something with your teen may also help them talk to you about things
that are going on - a win-win situation.
 Talk it out. Just as adults need a sounding board when faced with major life decisions, teens do
too. The key here is to talk about it without judgement. Rather than telling your teen what you
would do or how you would feel if faced with the same decision, ask them about how they feel,
and help them list pros and cons of any major decisions.
 Psychology Today suggests that teens may feel less stressed if they take at least some time out
to do things that truly love. Whether it's hanging at the mall with friends, or knitting, encourage
those breaks to help your teen feel balanced and less stressed.

Test Anxiety
According to the American School Counselor Association, it is unusual to find a single student
who does not suffer from some degree of test anxiety. After all, students spend a lot of time
taking tests. There are end-of-semester tests, end-of-year tests, subject matter tests, aptitude tests,
state tests, national tests, and college aptitude tests. The list is endless to a stressed-out teenager.
Sometimes those tests carry with them some real consequences for not doing well. It's no wonder
teens can feel some serious anxiety over testing.

What to Do About Test Anxiety


While you can't take away your kids' tests, you can help them navigate the murky waters of
their test taking anxiety.

 Make your teen breakfast. Eating a good breakfast helps provide your brain fuel for staying
focused which can of course, enhance test performance.
 If high stakes college admission is the issue, help your teen understand that there are other
options. There are schools that do not require SAT or ACT tests for admission, or there is
community college. On top of that, scores are not the only deciding factor in college admissions.
 Encourage good study habits. Help your teen set aside times specific to studying for big tests.
Not cramming will help reduce last minute test anxiety.
 Help your teen advocate for himself. If testing is a chronic issue, suggest he go to his teachers
and ask about extra credit or alternative methods of demonstrating that he knows the information.
While not every teacher will say yes to all requests, most teachers will appreciate a student who is
taking responsibility for his grades and education. By opening up a dialogue, your student may well
be setting the stage for success - even if he never does particularly well on a test.

Teen Exhaustion
Tiredness is a common problem for many teenagers. In some school districts, the bus comes at
6:30 AM, forcing students to get up far earlier than their natural sleep cycles would wish. In fact,
so prevalent is the problem the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement in 2014
recommending that middle and high school classes start no earlier than 8:30 in the morning.
However, their research found that 40 percent of high schools start before eight in the morning.

What to Do About Teen Exhaustion


There is not much parents can do about the time school starts or when the school bus arrives or
all the extracurricular activities their student chooses. However, parents can help make sure their
kids get enough sleep.

 Insist on a 'lights out' policy on school nights. Sure, it's not a guarantee that your teen will fall
asleep promptly, but it does help ensure that she is winding down for the evening at a reasonable
hour.
 Have a tech-free bedroom. Many teens have cellphones, computers and even televisions in their
rooms - but taking these things out can help your teen use her bedroom for sleeping. If that
doesn't seem like a viable option, consider just changing the wifi password after a certain time.
Taking the internet out of the equation might help curb late night surfing and cyber-socializing.

Homework
Compounding this early start time is the average high school student's homework schedule.
According to a survey conducted by the University of Phoenix in 2014, this is 17.5 hours a week.
If you do the math, you figure that's approximately three to four hours per night. Which might
sound fine until you figure in that many teens have jobs, activities or other responsibilities to
attend to, leaving little time for homework to get done at a decent hour.

What to Do About Homework Issues


Parents can help their students organize and prioritize.

 Have your student use an online calendar or make a paper chart where they list all their fixed
activities. Then, fill out the remaining time slots with when to complete homework, opportunities
for exam study, sports, music practice and even relaxation. If the activities exceed the available
time slots, parents can help students see that it might be time to let something go.
 Have a homework-friendly spot in the house. The space should be quiet, well-lit and well
organized. Having a single spot to study and do homework might not lessen the homework load,
but it can help ensure that your teen maximizes the time she does have to do homework and
consequently, she'll be more productive.

Bullying at School
The American Society for the Positive Care of Children reports that approximately 28 percent of
children aged 12 to 18 have been bullied at school. Bullying at school turns what should be a
place of learning into a place of misery and even danger, and it takes many forms. Bullying can
be physical, psychological, or it can even happen in cyberspace. Every day, thousands of teens
are nervous about going to school because they know they will face a bully who will pick on
them. This bullying can take the form of physical bullying - where a student feels their physical
safety is immediately in danger.

However, cyberbullying is a fast growing reality of the teenage world. The Center for Disease
Control estimates that 15.5 percent of students are affected by cyberbullying in some way shape
or form. Cyberbullying is very attractive to bullies who can remain anonymous and physically
removed from their targets.

What to Do About Bullying


Sometimes it is hard to know when teenagers are being bullied. Often, they experience shame or
fear and do not want to involve a parent or teacher. So start by knowing what to look for.
Warning signs suggested by Stopbullying.gov include unexplained injuries, lost items, declining
grades and personality or behavioral changes. In addition:

 Actively listen and focus on letting your teen know it's not his fault.
 Encourage your teen to talk to his school counselor. That is what they are there for. Make sure
that you and your teen together also alert other personnel at the school. School personnel can
help implement practical steps like changing the seating plan, helping your teen change his
schedule, or even changing the bus route.
 Cyberbullying is harder to eliminate. Parents should make sure their children are physically safe
and provide unconditional support. Many apps make it difficult to monitor activity, so building a
strong relationship with your teen is vital in helping a cyberbullied victim.

Conflict With a Teacher


Your teen comes home every day with stories of an awful teacher. According to your teen, she
looses his homework, picks on him for no reason, gives him bad grades 'just because' and goes
out of her way to make his life miserable. One survey suggests that 65.5 percent of teens feel
they've had a teacher negatively impact them. That's a lot of not getting along.

What to Do About Student-Teacher Conflicts


While it's tempting to pull out your best mama bear impression, and go to school and sort out
that nasty teacher, this is in fact, a great opportunity for you to model for your teen how to
handle conflict - something they will deal with in their adult lives as well.

 Encourage your teen to see his guidance counselor. They are skilled mediators and should be an
advocate for your child first. Also, when possible, you want your teen to work out situations for
himself in preparation of life as opposed to stepping in and solving issues.
 Keep a journal with your teen that simply notes facts. This journal serves two purposes. First,
journaling can help your teen work through his emotions of frustration and anger, making an
emotional blow up less likely. Have him note what happened, why it made him angry, how he
responded and if appropriate, what he can do differently. Secondly, if the situation becomes dire,
and really does require you to step in as the parent, you now have a record of what has happened.
 If it becomes clear that you need to intervene, try these two master diplomacy tactics. First, go
in asking questions. Repeat what is said so that the other party feels heard and you are sure that
you clearly understand their side. Secondly, use the praise sandwich - tell the teacher something
that you or your child likes, then share some of your concerns. Finish with some positive
suggestions of what you would like to see moving forward, and be sure to include what your child
could do differently as well to help resolve the conflict.

Directionless Woes and Apathy


Your teen's peers are all preparing for college or a career, with seemingly clear direction of
where they want to go and what they want to do. Yet for your student, the thought of having to
decide what she wants to be for the rest of her life right now is absolutely overwhelming. So
rather than grab the bull by the horns and do something, she falls into a pit of apathy and angst,
worried about choosing a career and whether or not she'll choose the wrong one. Wrought
with teenage hormones, everything is a huge deal, and the fact that she doesn't have life figured
out right now is only adding to her angst.

What to Do About Apathy


While you cannot tell your teen to what to do with her life, there are some things you can do to
help mitigate the angst and turn her away from apathy and back into at least exploring.
 Reassure your teen that she's in good company if she doesn't have it all figured out. Penn
State notes in one of their blogs that an estimated 75 percent of students change their major
before graduation. There are a lot of options in life that aren't even on her radar yet. In the
meantime, she can explore a variety of different things and see what types of things she really
loves.
 Have her read the book, What Color Is Your Parachute for Teens. While the book is a little older,
it really helps teens think not just about a job, but the kinds of things they really like to do such as
being in charge, creating, etc.
 Encourage activities outside of school. While schools have a lot to offer, it might be that the
thing that really floats your teen's boat, can't be found at school. Study abroad, internships, or
even a volunteer gig might really help her find what she loves to do - or even what she does not
love to do.

Avoiding Teenage Trouble


In an ideal world, all students would enter their respective schools as equals. Sadly, this is often
not the case. What goes on in a student's world within school, outside of school, and indeed,
inside their internal world, has a direct influence on what happens at school. It is a simple fact
that if a teenager is tired, hungry, unhappy, anxious or ill, their academic performance will
probably deteriorate. It is important to remember that help is available and, within extreme
situations where a student is not benefiting from their current school, there are other educational
choices a parent can make such as different schools, independent study or university model
schools, and home schools.

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