Adolescent Psychology: Why Teenage Brains Are So Hard To Understand

Sometimes it is incredibly difficult to communicate with teenagers! They are totally different from us, their parents, the way we used to be when young. They have other interests, they listen to other music and admire other characters. They surprise us with their deeds sometimes, and their decisions are hard to explain even from the height of parental experience. How to understand adolescent psychology? How does a teen brain work? How to understand them and keep trusting relationships? What is child and adolescent psychology? Let's see.

What is psychology of teenagers

Parents want to understand teenagers. But what is adolescent psychology? Adolescence lasts from the age from 10 to 19 years old. Although the age of majority comes one year earlier – at 18 years, and the age of puberty (sexual consent) is even lower – 16 years old. During these 9 years, the child passes two stages – an early adolescence (10-14 years) and a late adolescence (15-19). Each of them has distinctive physiological and psycho-emotional features. How does teenage brain affect behaviour?

1. Psychology of a teenager 10-14 years old

What is the psychology of teenagers? The child is at the very beginning of the journey from childhood to adulthood. Puberty is in process, the pace of motor and mental activity changes, emotions rage. Negativism appears in relation to others, parental and teacher authorities fall as the friends' opinion dependance grows. Adolescents experience isolation from peer groups much worse than difficulties in communicating with loved ones.

How does a teen brain work? The way of thinking and an interest in socialisation are changing. A teenager is trying to understand himself, to find the meaning of life, to explore his inner world. He develops a tendency to self-doubt, the sensitivity to the changes in the external environment grows,a teenager becomes selective of the environment and feels the need for privacy.

By the end of early adolescence, a teenager’s body undergoes changes. A teenager observes his appearance, correlates it with stereotypical images, and concentrates on the flows in the appearance. As a result, self-esteem suffers.

In school, adolescents aged from 10 to14 years old tend to complete easier tasks, which ultimately impede their development. Demotivation rises they fail to understand why they have to study at all.

2. Psychology of a teenager 15-19 years old

What is the psychology of teenagers of 15-19 years old? They have already survived the introspection period, emancipation from their parents and negativism towards society. Now it is the time for intensive socialisation and the importance of emotional contacts. A teenager personality continues to develop: life goals appear and values ​​are being created, an idea of the world, its structure and the laws of life are being formed.

A question of professional self-determination raises. In the period from 16 to 18 years old, a teenager thinks about his future profession, tries himself in different kinds of activities. This search can also cover undesirable areas: smoking, alcohol, early sexual intercourse. All this is the result of self- assessment and investigation of the permissible degrees.

Simultaneously, behaviour patterns are emerging: “me + parents”, “me + school”, “me + friends”. Sometimes these hypostases are strikingly different from each other.

What is special about the teen psychology? In psycho-emotional terms, irritability, anxiety, hypersensitivity, a pursuit of rebellion, and situational melancholy remain. A teenager is often thrown from one extreme to another, they are categorical and intolerant, shy, but at the same time demanding of themselves and of others. Positive manifestations are- interest in arts, spiritual closeness with other people, the formation of a stable communication circle.

How to understand the teen brain? Physical changes still affect self-esteem, but not necessarily negatively. The body of a teenager is already developed enough to resemble the one of an adult. It adds confidence in their own attractiveness and superiority in front of peers for some teenagers. Others continue to reflect if, in their opinion, they do not reach the stereotypical image. What other common teenage problems are there?

What are problems of adolescence

What else do you need to know about the psychology of teenagers? Let's describe common problems of adolescence. Experts estimate that 2 out of 10 adolescents experience some kind of mental health disorder. This fact is quite a surprise for parents especially in, complete, prosperous families. The psychology of teenage children is really complicated. Below is a list of some of the problems of adolescence that you should pay special attention to:

1. Psycho-emotional disorders

Depression, anxiety, irritability are in the first place among adolescent mental problems. They have a negative impact on the education, development and other teenager’s activities The situation can be aggravated by antisocial behavior, apathy, suicidal tendencies.

2. Eating disorders

Girls are mostly affected by them due to the concern about their figure/weight. More than a third of anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating cases occur at the age of 15-17 years. These pathological conditions are associated with depression and anxiety disorder, thus they should be treated in a psychotherapist’s office.

3. Conduct disorders

Rebellious attitudes predominate in late adolescence. Teenagers test the strength of parental will, prohibitions and rules. They do not want to obey the generally accepted laws and often behave defiantly, destructively. Legal nihilism may arise when a teenager is unwilling to obey the laws and commits an offence as a result.

4. Psychosis

A severe mental disorder can lead a teenager to hallucinations, delusional disorders, sudden aggression, motor impairment, etc. It is important to track the symptoms of psychosis as early as possible in order to take action and prevent the situation from deteriorating (causing harm to oneself and to others).

5. Suicide and self harm

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among children in their late teens. Adolescents due to their emotionality and lack of life experience, feel hopeless in a difficult situation, therefore they consider cuicide the only way to solve the problem.

Self-harm (self-injury) occurs against the background of dissatisfaction with oneself, low self-esteem, problems with self-identification.

How to understand your teenager: tips for parents

What else is different in teen psychology? Why is the teenage brain so unpredictable? It is extremely difficult to achieve a trusting relationship with a teenager. In some issues, you will have to break your own idea of the concepts of the norm. Sometimes to compromise, sometimes to loosen control and give a yesterday's child more freedom. This is a titanic daily labour.

Clinical psychologist Patricia I. Zurita She writes in her book The Difficult Teen:

“As any parent knows, being wise enough that your behaviour brings you closer to your teenager is easier said than done, and what gets in the way is your own reluctance to feel what you feel, think what you think, remember what you remember”, and feel what you feel...Remember that the parenting journey is really a process of looking inwards, catalysed by this restless life force brought into the world.”

Our advice is for parents. rIt will be much easier for you to understand your child by getting your thoughts and feelings in order:

• Be prepared for the challenges of adolescence. Your task is to help the child overcome it at this time. And remember you are not the affected party here, but an experienced and knowledgeable assistant. A guide that will help a teenager to get through this difficult time safely.
• If your child does not show love and respect for you the way he used to, it does not mean that he does not love and respect you. It just means that his values and behaviour habits are changing now 
• Respect the teenager, his choices and goals, desires and views. Don't ridicule, blame, or criticise him because you think he's doing something wrong. This is the only way you will gain reciprocal respect and respect for your feelings.
• Don't worry about losing control of your teen. You can no longer solve all the issues for him – give him the opportunity to learn how to do it himself.
• Your participation in the child's life should be discreet. But don't get away from his problems. Offer help and advice, support, be there with your child. And when you are asked to retreat, do so.
• Remember you and your child are no longer a single entity. He doesn't have to be like you. He does not need to do what you think is right. He has his own way, you should accept it.
• Wait patiently for the transition crisis to be over. Remember yourself, when at some point you understood everything, came to inner harmony and calmness. The same will happen with your child.

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Perhaps the best advice for anxious parents who are having a hard time dealing with their child's adolescence is to shift the focus from his life to your own. To be close, but at the same time give enough space for the free development of the personality of your child. And then get to know him again when it all is over.