Handling An Out-Of-Control Teen
Your Family|September 2019

We expect a certain amount of difficult behaviour from teens, but what can be done when the line between rebellion and losing control is crossed?

Handling An Out-Of-Control Teen

Teens are at a complex, scary and often lonely point in their life’s journey. They’re caught between the bounds of childhood, still needing the comfort and safety of being a kid, and the freedoms of adulthood. While most teens tend to push the boundaries in their desire for experimentation and the exploration of adult life, some break those boundaries entirely, leaving parents worried about their safety and future opportunities. So how do you navigate life with a teenager when normal parenting techniques and punishments fail?

WHAT CONSTITUTES ‘OUT OF CONTROL’?

In his book Parenting Your Out-of-Control Teenager (Pan Macmillan), family trauma expert Scott P Sells, PhD, outlines examples of behaviours which would be considered beyond normal teenage bounds.

These characteristics often lead to a diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder, or conduct disorder, if they persist over time:

Short temper and impulsive actions.

Consistent problems at school and performing badly academically.

Trying to project a ‘tough’ image, even though they’re feeling insecure deep down.

A lack of taking responsibility for their wrongdoing.

Struggling to get along with coworkers and maintaining a job.

Abusing alcohol or drugs beyond the normal realms of teen experimentation and taking part in other illegal activities like joyriding, vandalising property and shoplifting.

Displaying a high risk of developing anti-social personality disorder as they move towards adulthood, showing little or no remorse or guilt for pain or harm they’ve caused and difficulty in maintaining long term relationships.

Each of these behaviours, writes Sells, is a sign of potential trouble.

WHY IS SOME TEENS’ BEHAVIOUR SO EXTREME?

Denne historien er fra September 2019-utgaven av Your Family.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 2019-utgaven av Your Family.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA YOUR FAMILYSe alt
Beat The Disease To Please
Your Family

Beat The Disease To Please

Is saying ‘yes’ is a habit that’s leaving your own needs constantly overlooked, as you put everyone else’s needs before yours? How can you break the cycle of people- pleasing and put yourself first?

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2020
Quaran-Teens Help Them Manage Their Mental Health
Your Family

Quaran-Teens Help Them Manage Their Mental Health

Teens climbing the walls during covid-19? Restlessness isn’t the only thing to be concerned about, writes daniella renzon, community service clinical psychologist

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2020
Know Your Headache Migraine, Tension Or Cluster?
Your Family

Know Your Headache Migraine, Tension Or Cluster?

It’s common for people to refer to any splitting headache as a migraine, but this might not always be the case

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2020
Going Through A Friendship Crisis?
Your Family

Going Through A Friendship Crisis?

Is your waning social life affecting your marriage?

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2020
Life Post-Lockdown
Your Family

Life Post-Lockdown

Pandemic panic, brain fog and ocd… as you get back to life un-usual, psychologist marise swart shares some advice on some common issues that may affect your mental health

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2020
How To... Make Gluten-Free Flours
Your Family

How To... Make Gluten-Free Flours

Prepare these gluten-free flours to replace cake flour or self-raising flour in your favourite recipes!

time-read
2 mins  |
June 2020
Cosmetic Treatments: Everything You Need To Know
Your Family

Cosmetic Treatments: Everything You Need To Know

Considering a cosmetic procedure, but aren’t sure what to expect? Cape town based general and aesthetic practitioner dr jan nel offers his valuable insights

time-read
7 mins  |
June 2020
LOVING LOCAL
Your Family

LOVING LOCAL

LOCAL FASHION BRANDS ARE HELPING US BECOME MORE CONSCIOUS SHOPPERS IN THIS EVER-CHANGING WORLD, WITH THEIR BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED ECO-FRIENDLY WARDROBE PIECES

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2020
Listen Up
Your Family

Listen Up

EVER NOTICE HOW YOUR CHILD’S BIONIC EARS PICK UP EVERY WORD OF YOUR PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS, YET COMPLETELY TUNE OUT WHEN YOU REALLY NEED THEM TO LISTEN? OUR EXPERTS OFFER SOME CONSTRUCTIVE ADVICE ON HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF HEARD

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2020
Blood couldn't make us any closer'
Your Family

Blood couldn't make us any closer'

THE TITLE OF ‘DAD’ DOESN’T ONLY BELONG TO SOMEONE YOU SHARE DNA WITH. THESE MEN HAVE FILLED THE FATHER FIGURE ROLE AND RAISED THEIR CHILDREN AS THEIR OWN

time-read
8 mins  |
June 2020