If your adolescent child expresses anger with aggression or extended social withdrawal, everyday life at home and school changes–and not for the better. However, as a parent, knowing about the problems can help you handle your teen’s anger constructively.
Let’s talk about the things behavioral health professionals want you to know and where you can go for effective adolescent anger management in Sherman, TX.
The Problem of Adolescent Anger
Actually, feelings of anger are totally normal. Trauma and stress at home, in the education environment, or amongst peers can precipitate feelings of anger in teens. However, what’s unproductive about anger is the harmful and disruptive ways adolescents may express their feelings.
Examples of harmful ways to express anger include:
- Yelling, name-calling, and verbal abuse
- Violent outbursts, including physical aggression (fighting, throwing, and breaking things, as examples)
- Threats of violence or self-harm
- Risky behaviors, such as alcohol and drug abuse, fast driving, and more
Sadly, these actions can cause serious relationship, academic, and even legal consequences, which may impact young lives and families for years. So, parents need to know how to establish clear behavior guidelines and consequences for negative behaviors at home, at school, and in the social environment.
Ways to Manage Adolescent Anger
There are many constructive ways parents can help adolescents develop ways to cope with feelings of anger. Professional counsel from an adolescent behavioral specialist aids families in developing and using effective coping skills such as the following.
Creative problem solving
For example, when teens have problems at school, the first step is identifying exactly what that issue is. Then, talk out ways to solve that problem constructively. Often, families must work through several options before arriving at one that works.
Taking a Breath to Regulate Emotions
Teens need to know ways to stop and think before expressing their anger with violence or yelling. Parents can help them recognize signs of anger, such as fist clenching or a racing heart, and then have them take a walk, write down their feelings or engage in a favorite activity that relieves the tension. Faith-based solutions include meditation and prayer.
Being Assertive
Past generations used to call this “sticking up for yourself.” When adolescents feel they have been wronged, they should assert their opinions without the emotional behaviors which can be so destructive. Parents can assist in understanding the problem situations and developing solutions that constructively confront the conflict. Both teens and parents must recognize that ignoring legitimate feelings of being wronged or bullied only compounds problems.
Adolescent Anger Management in Sherman, TX
Carrus Health Behavior Hospital offers outpatient and inpatient services to address a wide range of mental, emotional, and behavioral health needs. Our caring staff is highly trained and experienced in helping adolescents and their families sort out and constructively deal with complex issues–such as anger–so home and school life is stable and positive.
Teens can become happy and resilient, and we know we can help them manage emotions, set goals, and deal well with the challenges of everyday life. We feature outpatient and inpatient services which include counseling, group and individual therapies, and more.
To learn more about our approaches to adolescent anger management, call us at (903) 870-1222. If you wish to arrange a consultation, fill out our secure online appointment request form. We serve children and teens ages 5 through 17.
