Teen Runaways and Missing Youth: Parents Who Need to Find Their Runaway Teen

"My teen has run away, what do I do?", is a question I hear frequently from parents beside themselves with both worry and frustration. Approximately 2 million teens between the ages of 13 and 17 run away from home each year. In the state of Florida the number of teen runaways was at 160 per day in 1999. The majority of runaways are Caucasian and from middle to upper income families. The most common reason that children runaway is family friction over such issues as curfew, truancy, behavior, dress code, academic performance, and the child’s choice of friends. Children also may choose to run away because of problems they are afraid to face such as bullying at school, pregnancy, sexual orientation or alcohol × Alcohol
al·co·hol n.noun a colorless volatile flammable liquid that is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks, and is also used as an industrial solvent and as fuel. When ingested, alcohol can be a deadly intoxicant. Teens and adults alike are more prone to make fateful and negative choices while drinking alcohol. A deadly intoxicant, alcohol has destroyed and ripped apart the lives of millions and yet, remains to be the drug of choice of troubled teens nationwide. Teenage minds are not yet able to fully appreciate the dangers that coincide with drinking. When drunk, teenagers commit and act out heinous activities which they would normally never commit or act out. Teenage pregnancy, driving under the influence, fighting and other consequences are more likely to occur while teens drink. Parents of teenage boys or girls who drink occasionally or struggle with the addiction of alcohol, need to seek immediate treatment for their son or daughter.
and drug problems. Some children may also choose life on the street as opposed to continued living in a seriously abusive environment × Environment
n.noun en·vi·ron·ment The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines environment as the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates. A person’s environment, or social surroundings, have an enormous impact on the way that person thinks and operates. If a person is surrounded by negativity, he/she is more likely to replicate that negativity and display negative behaviors in other areas of life. The environment of a troubled teen can often be the root cause or factor in the troubled adolescent’s negative behavior. When an impressionable teenage boy or girl is surrounded by negative peers, it is common for these teens to develop negative behaviors themselves. It is for this reason that parents should be aware of their child’s social surroundings and environmental influences. If a teenage boy or girl is troubled, a total change in their environment may be in order. By replacing a troubled teen’s negative environment with that of a therapeutic, nurturing and rehabilitative environment, troubled adolescents are able to emotional, therapeutic and behavioral restoration.
. Understanding the reasons a teen runs away is of absolute importance in solving the problem and preventing repeat behavior. Various behavioral disorders such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder × Conduct Disorder
Conduct Disorder in children or teenagers presents as a pattern of disobedience or negative behaviors such as consistently breaking the rules, ignoring boundaries that are appropriate for their age and violating the rights of others.  Usually, teenagers that have a conduct disorder exhibit negative patterns of behavior that are more extreme than those of your average adolescent.  These teens have difficulties at home, in school and in their communities.  They are often involved in sexual activities earlier than other teenagers of the same age group and have low self-esteem yet give the appearance of being tough kids. Many of these teens with conduct disorders are described as anti-social or delinquent and exhibit symptoms of other psychiatric disorders, like ADD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and drug or alcohol abuse.  These teenagers show little to no remorse, guilt or understanding of the pain their actions/behaviors cost to those around them.   Conduct disorder is more common in boys and occurs in 1-4% of 9-17 year olds.   Most recently, more and more girls are being diagnosed with conduct disorder. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry symptoms of conduct disorder are presented in four main categories: Aggression to animals and people for instance bullying,  fighting, cruelty, and brandishing weapons, intimidating their victims. Vandalism, destruction of property, and fire setting lying and theft Truancy, running away, breaking curfew and other misdemeanors    
, for instance, may be at the root of the problem when a defiant teen threatens to run away simply because he/she feels midnight is an unreasonable curfew. Therefore, it is wise never to take threats of running away lightly. Early diagnosis via psychiatric evaluation may pinpoint problems such as anxiety × Anxiety
  anx·i·ety n.noun Merriam- Webster dictionary defines anxiety as: : an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one’s capacity to cope with it Anxiety is a very common ailment that almost everyone experiences on an almost daily basis. However, anxiety effects some more than others and can cause severe emotional distress that is too much for an individual to handle. When anxiety plagues an individual so severely that it becomes a disorder, it is crucial that this individual receives therapeutic and emotional restoration in the form of psychological and therapeutic assistance. Teens who experience abnormal amounts of anxiety, tend to self medicate with intoxicants such as drugs and alcohol. When negative, self medication takes place, teens are at great risk of developing harmful coping mechanisms that may be life-long lasting. Anxiety /anx.i.e.ty/ n.Noun Anxiety is defined as the state of uneasiness or tension caused by the feeling of worry or nervousness caused by apprehension of possibilities of the future. Anxiety is a common emotional trait that many people face.  It affects our actions and can prevent us from making decisions.  Usually anxiety holds us back from the types of things that are outgoing or out of our comfort zone and it brings fear. Anxiety is a normal experience for most people and is a normal part of life.  However, when the anxiety reaches the level of a disorder then it can be dangerous.  This would include an intense, extensive, excessive and persistent worry or fear.  Another factor that is caused by an anxiety disorder can be anxiety, fear, or terror attacks when the intensity of anxiety becomes very high.  Types of anxiety disorders can include: social anxiety, separation anxiety and many different phobias etc.  
, depression × Depression
Depression /de·pres·sion/ Depression is defined as a mental condition characterized by feelings of severe despondency and dejection, typically also with feelings of inadequacy and guilt, often accompanied by lack of energy and disturbance of appetite and sleep. Statistics has shown that diagnosis of depression is growing at a very dangerous rate. Globally, depression affects over 350 million people of all ages. Depression has been linked to other negative health outcomes, such as obesity, heart disease, and stroke. Compared to those not affected by depression those who face it are more likely to be unemployed and have a higher chance of divorce. Most people that suffer from depression do not seek care or attention. Since this is a global issue, many efforts are made to help those who are suffering depression. It is important for those that face depression to find help so that they can overcome this plague that millions of people face.
, behavioral disorders, or abuse × Abuse
Abuse /a·buse/ Abuse is defined as the improper usage or treatment of an entity, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, assault, violation, rape, unjust practices: crimes or other types of aggression. Abuse is a negative and real threat that many people face. Child abuse is a problem that is continually occurring. The main types of child abuse are physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglecting. When these types of abuse occur in a home, they often go unnoticed. The stress and fear of the abuse will usually cause the victim to remain quite about the problem. It is a difficult problem to find out and assess, but there are solutions. It is important that people are aware of signs of abuse. They may include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, fear of going home, changes in eating and sleeping and lack of personal care or hygiene.
and lead to treatment which could circumvent a runaway crisis. The most difficult question I get from parents of runaway teens is "Should I go after my child or should I just let them come home when they are ready?" The severity of the child’s behavior should be taken into consideration before making such decisions. I can’t in good conscience advise a parent to bring a teen who has been violent and abusive back into the household anymore than I could advise a friend to take back an abusive and violent estranged husband. In this instance it may be safer if the violent teen can be found and placed in an out of the home treatment facility. If the troubled teen does not have a history of becoming violent or abusive, family therapy × Therapy
n.noun ther·a·py Therapy is a treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder or disease. Therapy generally consists of two kinds: medical and psychotherapy. Medical therapies treat diseases of the human body such as cancer. Psychotherapies treat the mind of therapeutically or emotionally damaged individuals. Different Types of Psychotherapy: – Psychoanalytic Therapy – Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy – Group Therapy – Behavior modification – Biofeedback – Collaborative therapy – Family therapy – Marriage counseling – Music therapy – Parent management training – Relationship counseling – Social Therapy – Systemic therapy – Therapeutic community – Twelve-step programs – Wilderness therapy Therapy for troubled teens has become an increasingly popular opportunity for troubled adolescents today. Therapies are offered at many services for troubled teens such as, wilderness therapy programs, residential treatment programs and boarding schools for troubled youth. The most effective type of therapy greatly depends on the individual teen and what psychological and emotional issues the particular adolescent struggles with.
can often help resolve the situation. In these instances I highly recommend making every effort to find the child and either bring them home or do anything possible to open up communication so that they know they can call you in an emergency. Most teen runaways, return within 48 hours to two weeks and generally move from one friend’s house to another. There are those, however, who go further and stay longer. If they take to the streets, the longer they stay, the more dangerous the situation becomes. In a 1997 study by The National Institute of Drug Abuse × Drug Abuse
Drug Abuse /drug/ /a.buse/ The definition of Drug abuse is the use of a medicine or other substance that has a physiological effect when introduced into the body improperly in a negative view or purpose. There are many different types of drugs, and the misuse of these types of substances can be very dangerous and can be the cause of many different problems.  This kind of abuse can lead to many different impairments or distress. Along with physical problems that can come from recurrent drug abuse, there are many other types of problems that can occur.  One effect can be a lack of interest in schooling and work.  Another possibility can be the failure to fulfill roles and obligations in different settings of life can.   Also, a poor performance in daily actions that may lead to legal problems. It is important to face Drug abuse as soon as possible in an appropriate manner.  There are many different programs that are available to help fix these types of problems to rehabilitate someone’s life.
, a survey of 600 street youths showed that 50% of those who had attempted suicide blamed drug abuse for that attempt. Surveys of 432 street youths in Los Angeles showed that 71% had either a drug or alcohol abuse × Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol Abuse /al.co.hol/ /a.buse/  The definition of Alcohol Abuse is the intake of a colorless volatile flammable liquid that is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks improperly or in a negative view or purpose. There are many different types of alcohol, and the misuse of these types of substances can be very dangerous and can be the cause of many different problems.  This type of abuse can lead to many different types of impairments or distress. Along with physical problems that can come from recurrent drug abuse there are many other types of problems that can occur.  One effect can be a lack of interest in schooling and work.  The failure to fulfill roles and obligations in different settings of life can also occur.   Also, a poor performance in daily actions that may lead to legal problems. It is important to face Alcohol abuse as soon as possible and in an appropriate manner.  There are many different programs that are available to help fix these types of problems to rehabilitate someone’s life.
disorder or both.

What to Do if Your Teen Has Runaway

If your child has run away or threatened to do so, and will not listen to any sort of reasoning, a troubled teen program may be the only option left. Zion Educational Systems is a website for programs for troubled teens × Troubled Teens
Troubled Teens /trou.bled/ /teens/ n. Noun A troubled teen is defined as a person that is between the age 13-19 that is beset by problems or conflict. Every Teenager faces problems that they must encounter in their life.  Problems arise in every person’s life both big and small yet sometimes we allow even the most insignificant of problems affect our lives.  Sometimes with teenagers they allow trials in their life greatly affect them in negative ways.  Typically when a person (typically teenagers) face problems in their lives, the ability to cope with the problem does not exist.  When teenagers turn to other things to cope with the feelings of the problems that they usually face  things such as drugs and alcohol, pornography, criminal activity, etc. It is important to find help for troubled teens as soon as possible.  There are many different programs that are available to help troubled teens with the problems that they face each with a different approach and nature to the program.
. Our mission is to help parents of troubled teens to help their teenager overcome their issues and be able to reach their full potential. Our students come from all over the United States including California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas.