Does my teen need therapy? Thoughts from a psychologist in Randburg about when to seek psychotherapy for your adolescent.
At Parkview Practice the three of us working as psychologists in Johannesburg have a particular interest in working with adolescents. This work brings to the fore common struggles and we have begun to identify a need to help parents recognise when their teens require professional help. Parents often know to seek help for their teens when they experience trauma or when there are changes in family circumstances, such as loss of a parent / family member, separation, or conflict between parents. Mood swings, irritability and defiant behaviour, on the other hand, all come with the territory of adolescence and it is often difficult to tease apart concerning behaviours from normal teen behaviours. Parents sometimes inadvertently brush off behaviours as normal when they should be more concerned about what is going on and think about seeking out therapy for their teen. Below are some of the behaviours to look out for and how to distinguish when it is beyond the scope of normal adolescent behaviour and preferable to consult with a professional.
- Anger and irritability:
Anger and irritability form part of the broad range of emotions we all experience from time to time. Teens tend to get angry and irritable more easily due to the emotional changes (a wish for more freedom and independence) and hormonal changes experienced during puberty. It is worrying when the behaviour becomes hostile or frequently turns into angry outbursts or physical aggression, putting teens at risk of hurting themselves or others. These behaviours indicate that something more serious may be going on and consulting a psychologist is advisable. While adults often appear sad when they are struggling, teens typically become angry and irritable.
- Defiance:
With the wish for autonomy we can expect to see teens beginning to assert themselves and push boundaries. This usually leads to an increase in arguments with family members. Although difficult for parents, this is considered healthy behaviour for a developing teen. Constantly defying requests from parents, teachers or other authority figures, or deliberately upsetting others, are signs of a deeper struggle and indicate that it is time to seek help for your teen.
- Social Difficulties:
Teens may choose to move into new friendship circles and these changes are often beneficial. Relationship patterns to be concerned about include social withdrawal (avoiding engaging with others / isolating themselves) or difficulty keeping friends. These patterns may be accompanied by low self-worth, even feelings of ugliness, and signal that your teen is experiencing more severe emotional difficulties not be ignored.
- Anxiety:
Anxiety is a normal response to stress and often helps teens manage demanding or new situations. It may come with physical sensations, such as sweaty hands, pounding heart or a knot in the stomach, and can improve focus and performance. Too much anxiety has undesirable effects. This is apparent when teens become quickly overwhelmed and cry often, refrain from participating in certain activities or experience panic attacks (extreme physical reactions to anxiety often accompanied by a fear of dying). In such cases consulting with a professional is recommended.
- Talk of suicide, self-harming behaviour or substance abuse:
If your teen expresses thoughts about taking their life or mentions that they have a plan to do so, it should be taken seriously. Likewise, behaviours such as cutting or engaging in risky sexual conduct or substance use (drugs, alcohol) should be not be overlooked. All of these behaviours are red flags and cause for immediate action to get your teen professional help.
Other common signs to consider
• Significant changes in weight and sleeping patterns
• Physical complaints, such as stomach aches and headaches
• A decline in academic performance
We hope this news post has been useful and made clearer to you when your teen needs the support of a professional. We are a team of two psychologists in Johannesburg in Johannesburg at Parkview Practice have expertise working with adolescents and recommend booking an assessment session if you are concerned about your teen or still feel uncertain as to whether your teen requires professional help. Please click on our “Meet the Team” tab to see our individual profiles and make contact with us.
