How to Treat Troubled Teens

Adolescence is a challenging time for both parents and children. As teenagers become more independent and are typically influenced by their peers more than family, trouble can ensue. Learning how to spot a troubled teen and how to subsequently treat him takes patience and some skill to be effective.

Instructions

1. Monitor and supervise teenagers' activities while also allowing age-appropriate levels of independence. Commit to enforcing rules and curfews. Use consequences to follow up when the limits are tested.

2. Recognize signs that a teen may be in distress. Look for sudden changes in grades, dress or behavior. Pay attention to sleeping and eating patterns, moods and schedules. Make an effort to meet the friends with whom the teen spends much of her time. Engage her in conversation as much as possible and encourage open communication.

3. Seek help if the teen is consistently showing signs of mood disturbance or rule breaking, or if you suspect alcohol or drug use. Outpatient counseling may be the first step, and a referral can be obtained from a friend, pediatrician or insurance company.

4. Consider intensive treatment programs if outpatient counseling is not effective. There are acute inpatient hospital programs that specialize in treating adolescent behavioral and emotional problems. These programs are available when a teen is in crisis and are typically covered by insurance.

5. Consider residential treatment centers as a last resort, if all other options have failed. Residential treatment centers provide care and behavioral programs while patients live at the center for 6 to 9 months on average. They can be facilities or camps that often include special education programs.

References

• Experience Project
• Troubled Teen Help