The majority of parents find that the teenage years are the most challenging time in raising kids. Hormonal change, puberty, and puppy love make them unpredictable as well as moody. Among many problems that come to teenagers is the anger issue. Teenager with anger issues can be difficult to handle but it doesn’t mean impossible.
Not all anger issues need treatment. But when teenagers have uncontrolled emotional outbursts or have several episodes of rage every day.
It can be a sign that the issues require professional treatment. Keep scrolling and learn more about anger issues in teenagers and how to deal with them.
What Are Anger Issues?
Anger is a natural human emotion as a response to threats. But when this emotion begins uncontrolled, it becomes a problem in our parenting side. Anger issues can be defined as uncontrolled anger that potentially causes you to do or say something you will regret.
Normal anger commonly happens in teenagers, though it also happens in adults. As teens grow, they want freedom and they don’t expect too much parental input.
When you insist to give them advice, you make them annoyed or angry. This kind of anger is normal and healthy and won’t lead to serious problems.
In the case of teenagers with anger issues, they have uncontrolled emotional outbursts. Many times, anger causes threats and abuse, either physically or verbally.
These teenagers often get into physical fights or bullying and it potentially becomes a habit. This kind of anger should be treated by professionals as it may lead to mental health problems.
Angry Teenager Causes
Anger issues in teenagers can be triggered by many factors, such as family problems, mental disorders, and even financial issues.
There are some other causes such as depression and alcohol abuse. The ups and downs of emotions that occur so that easily angry must be immediately known the cause. That way, the teenager will become calmer and may also reduce the stress he is feeling. Here are some of the causes of teenagers being easily angry:
1. Anxiety disorder
Also known as obsessive-compulsive disorder, this condition is often associated with compulsive behavior and obsessive thought.
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Teenagers with anxiety disorder have problems controlling anger, so they have a greater chance to get episodes of rage. Without the right treatment, they can be more frustrated and even angrier.
2. Depression
Anger issue isn’t a disorder but it is a symptom of certain mental conditions, one of which is depression. A teenager suffers from depression when he feels sad and loses interest for two weeks.
When teens show uncontrolled emotional outbursts, depression can be the underlying condition. Aside from anger, other symptoms may include loss of energy, feeling hopeless, and irritability.
3. Bipolar disorder
Anger can also be caused by bipolar disorder. This is a brain disorder in which the sufferer’s mood changes drastically.
This mood shift can range from depression to mania. When a teenager has intense mood swings and anger issues, it may be a sign of bipolar disorder.
4. Alcohol and drugs abuse
According to research, alcohol and drugs abuse can increase aggression. Teenagers with alcoholism cannot think clearly and they become more irritable. In many cases, they cannot control emotions and it may cause anger issues.
5. Unsatisfied Temper Tantrum
Kid with temper tantrums tends to be more prone to developing anger problems as a teenager. Moreover, if during the tantrum there were things the parents could not be fulfilled. Then the consequences can be even worse.
Types of Anger Issues
Teenagers with anger issues may show different ways of expressing their emotions. Based on the way they express anger, there are three different types of anger issues. It can be passive, outward, or inward.
- Passive
People with this type of anger issue commonly uses indirect way to express their anger. Their passive-aggressive behavior may include sulking, treating someone in silence, and being sarcastic. It is pretty harder to identify this anger issue.
- Outward
People with outward anger issues tend to express their anger and rage in an obvious way. The behavior may include shouting, throwing things, cursing, and being verbally abusive to anyone around them.
- Inward
This anger type is less likely to involve others. Instead, the anger is directed at themselves. They often do negative self-talk and deny anything that makes them happy. People with this anger issue may harm themselves.
Signs of Anger Issues and Possible Treatment
A lot of teenagers don’t realize that they have anger issues. Several signs can be used to identify teenagers with anger issues. You or your teen may have anger issues when:
- You have a lot of episodes of rage every day
- find difficulties in controlling anger
- You regret what you have said or done when angry
- Your anger breaks your relationships, either with friends or family
- You are physically or verbally abusive
- Your anger hurts someone
If you have one or more signs, you’re encouraged to find a professional for treatment. Mental health professionals may suggest different treatments according to the level of your anger issues.
There is some possible anger management that can be practiced to control your emotion, including:
- Behavioral therapy
- Relaxation techniques
- Anxiety or depression medication, if you have underlying conditions
- Support groups
- Anger management exercise
- Anger management classes
How to Help Teenager with Anger Issues
Parents play a significant role in helping teenagers with anger issues. Therefore, parents can show their support and help teenager control their emotions. Here are three ways parents can do to help their teens cope with anger issues.
- Talk to them
Your angry teen doesn’t need your judgment. Instead, you can find a way to talk and communicate with them as a friend. When they calm down, try to talk and find out what is bothering them.
When they share something, don’t try to give suggestions as it can trigger their anger. Just listen carefully and try to understand their position.
- Be a good example
Teens learn many things from their parents, including how to control emotion. Be a good example by showing a healthy response when they begin to feel angry. Try to be calm and rational, so that your teen can copy your patterns.
Not only do children need to control their emotions, but parents must have good anger management parenting. Because if both parties are angry, a solution will not be reached.
- Spend more time with them
Teenagers commonly refuse to join family time. It may be true, especially if you ask them to join a backyard picnic. Instead, ask them to have an adventure in the wilderness or anything that challenges their adrenaline. Your teen will be happy to join.
Anger issue isn’t a disorder, but it is only a symptom of the underlying condition. For this reason, a teenager with anger issues needs special treatment from a mental health professional. As parents, you can help them cope with this mental condition by talking to them or spending quality time with them.