How to Deal With Your Troubled Teen
Whether your teen abuses drugs, is promiscuous or suffers from a mental illness, it is a challenge to deal with a troubled teen. To help your teen, you must learn how to recognize the warning signs. A drop in grades, skipping school, mood swings, stealing, disobeying, weight changes and lying to adults are all symptoms of a troubled teen. If your teen is troubled, you must intervene immediately.
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Instructions
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Determine the cause of her problems. If your teenager has drastically changed her behavior, there is a definite reason behind it. Dr. Phil McGraw suggests identifying lifestyle or family changes that may cause your teenager to act out. Try to understand what his behavior is truly saying; it could be anger, fear or a change that is causing the problem.
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Communicate with your teenager. Arrange time in a safe and quiet place to encourage him to share his feelings. Ask how things have been lately, and listen without lecturing or dismissing his concerns. Instead, acknowledge your teenager's thoughts and feelings, suggests Disney Family. Do not judge him and let him know his feelings are normal, so he feels comfortable talking to you.
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Seek help for your teenager. If your teenager won't change her behavior no matter what parenting techniques you use, talk to a licensed therapist. Ask your teenager's school counselor, teacher or family doctor for a referral if you don't know of any good therapists. Explain to your teenager that her behavior worries you, and that you want her to talk to a therapist to feel better.
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Send your teenager to a wilderness camp for troubled youth. Being out in nature can help her face her demons, and gain a new perspective on her behavior and life. At a wilderness camp, she can learn about personal responsibility and how to value her self-worth.
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