What Is Teenage Angst? A Normal Part of Adolescent Development
Being a parent to an angsty teen can be challenging. They may have been perfectly agreeable children, but suddenly are exhibiting attitude and behavioral changes. It’s a lot of mood swings, tears, and emotional changes that can greatly concern parents.
However, this is a perfectly normal part of teenage development. Teenagers spend this time developing their sense of self as they grow into young adults. They are preparing to be independent as they look towards their future. Figuring out where they fit into the world involves pushing boundaries, which can come off as disrespectful or argumentative behavior. There’s a lot that can deeply worry teens as they face their future. Remember, they must ask permission to use the bathroom in high school, but in a few short years, they will have to manage adult responsibilities.
Teenage angst refers to the feelings of being overwhelmed, rejected, anxious, and sometimes unwanted. They may make changes in their friend groups, sleeping patterns, interests, and be more secretive or dismissive. It may look concerning at first, but again, these changes are normal. However, if moodiness or sudden changes are extreme, put your teen at risk, or interfere with daily functioning, it may indicate a problem.
Defining Teenage Angst and Teen Moodiness
Teenagers experience a wide range of intense and sometimes confusing emotions. It’s quite common for a typical teen to bounce between feelings of frustration, irritation, anger, and even anxiety. Your teen may develop a rebellious attitude and hold an overall sour outlook on life. These feelings are beyond a teen’s control and can be distressing to them if they don’t understand why they feel that way.
As mentioned before, teenagers are developmentally at a point where they begin to test boundaries, much like they did as toddlers. This “figuring out” phase may increase teen angst when they are told “no” or when a limit or boundary is firmly defined. They may express disappointment as anger, especially when a rule or boundary is set in place to protect them. Teens and young people crave independence and freedom, but lack the development to understand the responsibilities and consequences that come from that. Such development comes later, but until then, teen angst is expected.
How Hormonal Changes and Brain Development Contribute
An individual’s teenage years are defined by rapid brain and hormonal development. The brain typically reaches its final size by age 14. However, it doesn’t finish maturing until a person is in their mid-to-late 20s. The last part of the brain that needs to be fully developed is the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for planning and decision-making. Teen years are spent refining the brain as they figure out how to practice various skills.
Hormonal changes also influence teen angst. Puberty involves an influx of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone hormones. Though responsible for physical and sexual development, these hormones also play a role in mood regulation. This causes mood swings and emotional fluctuations, making teens feel like they are on an emotional roller coaster ride. An influx of hormones can also cause changes to sleep patterns and energy levels, which can increase feelings of anxiety and depression.
Lack of restful sleep can also contribute to teen angst. For optimal health, it’s recommended that teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 get between 8 and 10 hours of sleep per 24 hours regularly. However, teens rarely get the recommended amount of sleep, which can greatly contribute to irritability and mood swings.
Teenage Angst vs. a Mental Health Condition: Knowing the Difference
Being an angsty teen is a normal part of human development. What is not normal is struggling with your mental health to a degree that you cannot function and are in an active, constant state of pain. Minor signs of a mental health disorder can be normal behavior during this time. Teens will find new crowds to hang out with, their grades may slip, and they may be more inclined to break the rules. All of which are common behaviors for teens.
You can spot the difference between teen angst and a mental health condition by noticing if your teen is being harmed in some way. Being irritated that they aren’t allowed to stay out late is harmless, and they will eventually get over their irritation.
Signs of harm can be them expressing negative self-thoughts or suddenly losing weight. Suddenly wearing long sleeves to cover up “accidents” is another sign, as well as talking about suicide. Teen angst is a flash in the pan, but then you feel better in time. Mental health disorders don’t improve and will make the teen feel worse over time, compounding symptoms until they are too severe to overlook.
The Teenage Years: Identity, Emotion, and Self-Discovery
Teens spend their developmental years preparing for independence. This includes practicing social skills and developing emotional maturity. They, at this point, are intelligent enough to make informed choices. However, they lack the maturity to control impulses and understand the riskiness of dangerous decisions and behaviors. This comes once their brain matures more, but they still gain value in their exploration.
Self-discovery also involves establishing one’s identity and building self-esteem. The self can be fragile during development and can be harmed easily. It’s important for teens at this time to have loved ones they can trust to reassure them and help build up their confidence. What they do and accomplish now influences the young adults they will become. Because ot this, it’s critical to guide them into making healthy choices.
Warning Signs: When Teen Angst Might Be Something More
Many warning signs can indicate serious mental health issues. Always be aware of your teen’s behavior so you can notice these red flags.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders in Teens
Teens may exhibit anxious signs due to societal and peer pressure. They may also have experienced a traumatic event that they might hide from shame or guilt. It’s important to be aware if your teen is suddenly expressing extreme fear and worry, especially if there doesn’t seem to be a root cause.
Teens struggling with anxiety may exhibit emotional changes, such as:
- Extreme fear about specific things, places, or situations
- Fears of being separated from their parents
- Hyperfixations about their appearance
- Verbalizing fear or worry about the future, or that “something bad” is going to happen
- Experiencing physical symptoms, such as heart racing or stomach aches, due to sudden, intense fear
Behavioral changes may also occur, with some signs of anxious behavior being:
- Avoiding activities and social events
- Difficulty sleeping
- Avoiding or refusing to attend school
- Chronic stomach or headaches
- Drastic changes in routines, especially to avoid situations they fear
Symptoms of Teen Depression and Self-Harm
Depression is a mood disorder that commonly affects teens, with some teens turning to self-harming behaviors. This is concerning, as 20.4% of high school students have seriously considered suicide.
Teens struggling with depression may exhibit emotional signs such as:
- Difficulty concentrating, thinking, or remembering things
- Expressing feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Extreme rejection sensitivity or a need for constant reassurances
- Having a grim or hopeless perspective on life
- Easily becomes irritated, frustrated, or overwhelmed
- Frequent crying with no apparent cause
Depression may cause behavioral changes, such as:
- Sleep pattern changes
- Restlessness
- Changes in appetite, leading to weight loss or gain
- Lack of care for hygiene or appearance
- Decrease in motivation or interests
- Self-isolating from friends and family
- Frequent mood swings
The signs of self-harm and suicidal ideation can be similar to the signs of depression. Those engaging in self-harming thoughts and behaviors may frequently express that they feel trapped or hopeless regarding general life or a specific situation. They may also “shut down” and withdraw from life entirely. It’s also important to note serious behavioral changes that can indicate self-harm, such as:
- Talking or writing about suicide, such as making verbal statements like “I wish I could go to sleep and never wake up again” or “It doesn’t matter, I won’t have to deal with it for much longer”
- Wearing long sleeves/pants and other concealing clothes, even when the weather is warm. This can be used to hide the physical signs of self-harm, such as cutting or picking
- Suddenly giving away cherished possessions
- Engaging in risky or self-destructive behavior, such as substance abuse
- Sudden happiness after a long period of depression. This sudden burst of happiness can occur right before a plan to die by suicide
Risky Behavior, Withdrawal, or Substance Use as Coping Mechanisms
All instances of anxiety, depression, and self-harm can also include substance use and abuse as a sign. It’s not uncommon for teens to try to regulate their mood by self-medicating with drugs or alcohol. Teens are well aware of and are sometimes distressed by their frequent mood swings. Abuse of substances like alcohol is sometimes done in an attempt to “mellow out” and “feel normal” again. This can quickly become a dependence and addiction, with withdrawal symptoms worsening the mood swings and dysregulation.
It’s not just substance abuse that is a risky behavior. Teens are susceptible to engaging in risky behavior because their reasoning, consequence understanding, and long-term planning abilities are not fully developed. Some risky behaviors teens may engage in as a coping mechanism are:
- Unprotected sex
- Reckless driving
- Vandalism
- Shoplifting
- Truancy
Social Media, Peer Pressure, and Teen Mental Health
The advent of the internet and social media has allowed teens from all over the globe to connect and share experiences. Teens may not quickly and easily find information that would have taken hours of research at the library. Despite the usefulness of social media and the internet in general, some inherent risks can harm a teen’s mental health.
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has identified facts concerning social media usage. Teens who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media increase their risk of mental health problems, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. When asked how social media makes them feel about their body image, 46% of teens aged 13-17 said social media made them feel worse. Increased social media use can harm a teen’s self-worth and cause feelings of social anxiety as they try to strive to emulate an image that may not even be real.
Peer pressure can also be dangerous, as teens have an innate desire to fit in. This can cause them to fall into the “wrong crowd,” which may encourage risky behaviors. Teens must learn how to navigate peer pressure to stay healthy. This includes skills such as saying no, setting boundaries, and identifying toxic individuals.
When to Seek Professional Help for Your Teen
Noticing any serious warning signs of a mental health disorder and/or substance use must be taken seriously. If your loved one is visibly struggling with their mental health or asks you for help, it’s time to seek professional assistance. Some common warning signs are:
- Finding drug paraphernalia
- Troubles with the law
- Slipping grades or truancy
- Expressing worrying thoughts and feelings
- Harming themselves through drug abuse, cutting, or expressing thoughts of suicide
- Rapid decline in physical health
Treatment centers vary in who and what they treat. It’s important to be aware of this and do your research before choosing a treatment center for your loved one. Alpha Behavioral Health, for example, has treatment programs specially designed for teens. These specialized mental health treatment programs utilize evidence-backed and safe therapies to help teens recover from addiction and other mental health disorders. Their goal is not just to treat the disorders, but to improve your teen’s overall well-being with workshops, individual counseling, and aftercare programs like the Alpha Launch program.
Seeking mental health care for your loved one means working with behavioral health providers. They will never belittle you or think you are a bad person because your loved one has a mental health disorder. You can expect that your teen’s treatment providers will help you understand what your teen is going through. The things your teen will tell them are kept under strict confidence, but they can help you work with your teen to find mutual healing. Family therapy is used for this purpose, and it’s effective in helping families grow closer together.
Supporting Your Teen Through Teenage Angst
It’s a rocky road, but you and your teen can navigate this time by being open and honest with each other. There are several ways you can support your teen while still respecting their need for independence.
Spending Time Together and Building Trust
Show an interest in your teen’s passions and offer to participate in them too. If they love music, ask if they’d like to see a concert with you. Sometimes, a lovely evening can be spent in silence, simply sharing the same space as you both read a book. Just don’t press too hard, and be aware when they want space.
Building trust can be done by implementing an open-door policy. Allow your teen to speak with you whenever they like and get advice without scolding or a lecture. Be honest with them. If you have to say no, explain why, and don’t just say because you said so. Respect your teen and the fears they may have without judgment or ridicule.
Encouraging Self-Expression and Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Always encourage your teen to engage in safe and expressive hobbies. Gardening, music, painting, writing, and more are fantastic outlets for emotional and self-expression. Never judge their creations, but appreciate them, as they are expressing themselves to you.
Healthy coping mechanisms are also a must. Meditation, mindfulness, and breathing exercises are all examples of healthy coping mechanisms. A mental healthcare professional would be more than glad to teach you and your teen healthy coping methods, should you need help as well.
Creating a Safe and Inclusive Environment
A teen’s home should be where they feel safe. If they are constantly judged, belittled, or stressed, their mental health can suffer. It’s important to give them a space that is just for them so they can decompress and relax without being bothered. Small acts of respect, such as knocking and asking permission before entering their room, go a long way in establishing trust and safety. Households can be chaotic, and having a small space to themselves can be their port in a storm.
Understanding Teen Angst With Compassion and Perspective
Here at Alpha Behavioral Health, we are changing the narrative around teen mental health. Though society may dismiss them, we know the potential teens have within them that is waiting to be unlocked. Teens are capable of accomplishing great things and making a positive impact on the world. That is, if they are shown that they have intrinsic value and are allowed to thrive.
Teen angst is difficult to experience, but it must be met with compassion. We all were once teens, and could have used an understanding and compassionate hand then. Perhaps if we did, our teenage years would not have been so turbulent. Essential behavioral health support is the key to empowering teens to be who they were always meant to be underneath all that angst. Be it a musician, a poet, or an adventurer, they can do anything if properly nurtured and supported.
And at Alpha Behavioral Health, we believe that every teen deserves that support. They just need to reach out and accept it.
Teenage angst is normal, but it’s not normal for your teen to be in pain. To learn how to help your teen, call Alpha Behavioral Health today at (833) 257-4218.
