How Parents Can Deal with Their Angry Teenager

Teenagers feel like they have a lot to be angry about. Maybe they aren’t performing well in school or making friends. Perhaps they’re constantly fighting with you to go out on weekends. They could even be having boy or girl trouble they don’t want to discuss with you. Most importantly, they may not feel understood. If your child’s behavior is more difficult than you anticipated, consider West Palm Beach counseling at The Banyan Group. Anger may be common in teens but is difficult for them to manage. Sometimes, all it takes is a professional hand to guide them towards the cause of their anger and find the best method to resolve it. Other times, all it takes is for the parent to know what to do.

In this article, we will provide different ways that you can manage your teenager’s behavior and create a stronger relationship.

Why Are They Angry?

Unlike most adults, when teenagers get angry, they don’t know how to channel their emotions. As a result, they frequently act on their feelings without regard to consequences.

There is a specific reason that your child is angry. It could be as straightforward as failing a class, being bullied in school, or rejected by their high school sweetheart. Sometimes, their anger derives from complex emotions they don’t understand. Whatever the cause, teenagers usually “resolve” their anger issues in unhealthy ways, such as acting out at school or at home.

As a parent dealing with a difficult teenager, the first thing to do is understand where their anger is coming from. This can be challenging, especially if your child does not open up to you often. If this is the case, your child could benefit from teenager therapy in West Palm Beach. Even if you don’t know the source of their anger, the following are ways you can still help your troubled child.

Get Them Involved in Physical Activities

A common reaction to anger is violence. This mode of physical activity may seem cathartic to them, but there are other ways teenagers can express their emotions. Sports is one example. If your child is not involved in any sports, find out if they are interested in signing up for one. If they are not interested in sports, propose daily exercise. At the end of a long day, together you can head to the nearest track and run a few miles. Not only is this a positive outlet for your child’s anger, but it is also a good bonding activity.

Give Them Space

If your child’s anger has reached a boiling point, the best solution may be to give them some space. If they must be disciplined, tell them to go to their room, where they can consider their actions. Do not hover or attempt to micromanage the situation. This may feel like you are relinquishing control, but sometimes all your child needs is a moment to himself to cry or scream in a pillow.

Introduce Them to New Music

Music and emotions have always been closely linked. Our emotions can influence the music we like to hear. Therefore, if your child is angry, do not be alarmed if they listen to heavy metal or other aggressive genres. This is completely normal. Similarly, music can also influence our emotions. Happy, calm music can increase dopamine levels in the brain, which is related to feelings of pleasure. So, while you shouldn’t discourage their choice of heavy metal, encourage them to listen to songs that can have a positive impact on their emotions, even if it’s a genre they don’t like.

Look out for Triggers

Understanding your child is the first step to getting their anger in check. Pay close attention to them to see what triggers their outbursts. This will take a lot of time and patience, but once you know what triggers your child’s anger, you can work towards resolving the issue.

Consider Counseling

If you can’t do it on your own, that does not make you a bad parent. In fact, bringing your troubled teen into counseling shows you’re a sympathetic parent who wants the best for their child. At The Banyan Group, we have psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed professional counselors who can help your child one-on-one. We also provide family therapy if you think your family can benefit from this approach. Just remember that help is a phone call away. For West Palm Beach Counseling, contact The Banyan Group. Call our main office at (561) 967-2566 to schedule your first appointment.