Brain Development
The brain takes 25 yrs to fully develop and the major, dramatic changes happen during adolescents. Even more, the parts of the brain responsible for decision making and judgement are not fully mature in adolescents. In addition, adolescents dopamine levels are elevated which causes an increase in behaviors that will give them rewards. Hyper rational thinking causes them to focus on the thrill of experiences instead of weighing negative consequences. This is a big reason why many make choices that we, as adults do not understand. Pruning is the process which gets rid of neurons that we no longer need based on our life experiences because it can cause issues for teens when making poor decisions which can affect them for the rest of their lives. There are many developments going on in an adolescent’s brain. During this time, it is important to help adolescents with this transition and support their growth. Being healthy mentally and emotionally can make their development easier to navigate.
Support
Here are some things you can do to support your child and help them through the transition to young adulthood. These tips will become habits if practiced, which will help them to stay mentally healthy and happy. 1. Make sure they are getting enough sleep. 2. Listen to them when they talk & respond to what they are saying instead of reacting to it. 3. Do not take what they are saying personally. They are learning independence and how to work things out. They are coming to you so that you can help them. If you are defensive or lash out, they will no longer feel safe talking to you. 4. Regulate device use. I know this can be difficult in today's world but this can make a huge difference in the way your child thinks, feels and acts. 5. Be emotionally present for them. They are young and will make mistakes. Make sure to give them words of affirmation for just being them. When in trouble, be disappointed in their choice or action, not them. 6. Last but not least, laugh with them! These years can be hard for you and your child but they can be really, really funny. This will give them some peace and help them feel seen by you
Issues
Can you remember your pre-teen and teenage years? With the rise of technology, it has become more difficult for adolescents to get some breathing room. Instead of leaving the drama at school, it spills over and they are never able to escape. They are also bombarded with "perfect" people and lives. It is no wonder that our children are suffering from anxiety, depression, social issues and struggling with school. Counseling can help adolescents work through a lot of these issues and more!
Counseling for Adolescents
Counseling can be very beneficial for adolescents and often can change many factors in their lives. In today's world, children and teens struggle to connect with others because of the new ways they communicate. Social media has caused social skills to decrease and a lack of empathy to increase. Counseling can offer them a safe space to explore and practice these skills.
Internet Answers
In a world full of technology it is easy to understand why children would turn to the internet for any problems they are facing. This can be a great way for them to learn about themselves and how to help any issues they are having. However, it can also have negative consequences if the information they are finding is not reliable or if they reach out to the wrong person for help. It is important to have an open a line of communication with your child if you believe something is wrong. This will allow you to help your child in a positive way and determine the level of help they need.