What Should I Do With My Troubled Teen? Signs of Abnormal Behavior or Dysfunctional Teenager

Terrified. That’s how most parents feel when their kid is showing signs of abnormal or dysfunctional teenager behavior.

Frustrated, fed up, helpless—these are just a few of the feelings fighting to rise to the surface during turbulent times with your teen. “What should I do with my troubled teen?” is a question many parents ask when they hit a similar place.

Abnormal psychology × Abnormal Psychology
a branch of psychology concerned with mental and emotional disorders (as neuroses, psychoses, and mental retardation) and with certain incompletely understood normal phenomena (as dreams and hypnosis). When pertaining to troubled teens, abnormal psychology is an important subject. Abnormal psychology such as psychological, emotional, and behavioral disorders are difficult for parents and other authority figures to diagnose and/ or provide treatment for. Only the treatment of therapeutic professionals and troubled teen specialists will provide the necessary therapeutic treatment for troubled teens struggling within the spectrum of abnormal psychology. Parents of a troubled teenage boy or girl who suffers from a disorder that falls under the realm of abnormal psychology, please understand that immediate treatment is absolutely necessary. Therapeutic options such as, therapeutic boarding schools, group homes, residential treatment programs and wilderness therapy programs for troubled teens, are all viable options for parents in search of abnormal psychology specialists.
seeks to understand what defines typical behavior and what causes various “abnormal” responses. If your teen is exhibiting more than the normal “rebellion” or attitude common for a teen, you may need to look into underlying issues and more intensive solutions for their mental health × Mental health
Mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”1 It is estimated that only about 17% of U.S adults are considered to be in a state of optimal mental health. The mental health in teenage boys and girls is a crucial issue and concern for parents. Teens, for a variety of reasons, tend to struggle with mental health more than adults or children who have not yet reached their teens. This is because of the turbulent time that comes with adolescence and the individual teen's inability to cope with said turbulence. Parents of troubled teens who struggle with mental health issues, actually have a plethora of treatment options to choose from. The type of treatment option that best fits the individual teen, greatly depends on the individual teens mental health issues.
before things get worse.

Because, it can absolutely get worse.

What Does Abnormal Psychology and Teen Dysfunctional Behavior Look Like?

Most of the time, abnormal behavior and emotional disorders in teens are connected to very low grades, trouble socializing, lack of (or extreme) emotion and impaired ability to function. Teens that struggle to build healthy relationships with their parents, peers × Peers
Peers /peer/ Peers are the people of which a person associates. Peers have a strong influence on person’s thoughts, actions, and will also play a key part in how a person develops and will determine who a person will become. Peers always have an influence but occur especially in a person’s youth. Parents should make it a priority to inform children of how important their peer group is on them. Discussions about this topic can help to prevent children from choosing friends that could lead them down dangerous paths. Peers who involve themselves in negative behaviors will begin to oppose school and parents and can also influence others in the peer group to do the same. It is important to support the finding of positively influential peers for children. However, peers can also help uplift others to strive to become better and want success. Those are the peers you should surround yourself with and also your children.
or teachers may suffer from dysfunctional behavior. Often the signs are violent or extreme.

Teens that struggle with smaller issues can sometimes exacerbate their problems by turning to drugs 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.
. This can lead to dysfunctional behavior due to substance abuse × Substance Abuse
Substance Abuse /sub.stance/ /a.buse/ Substance abuse is defined as the use of a chemical substance that has an effect on humans or animals improperly or in a negative view or purpose. Substances involve different types of drugs and also alcohol.  The misuse of a chemical substance can be very dangerous and can be the cause of many different types of problems such as impairment and also distress. Along with physical problems that can come from recurrent substance abuse, there are many  other problems that can occur.  A lack of interest in schooling and work can lead to failure fulfillment of roles and obligations in different settings of life.  Also, a poor performance in daily actions can be a cause. Substance abuse is a problem that is important to deal with in an appropriate manner.  There are many different programs that are available to help fix these types of problems to rehabilitate someone’s life. More information about substance abuse in the US The national institute on drug abuse characterize substance abuse as, "as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain; they change its structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long lasting and can lead to many harmful, often self-destructive, behaviors.' When pertaining to the adolescent brain and psyche, substance abuse and addiction is one of the most dangerous and common negative behaviors in troubled youth. Teenagers who participate in drug abuse are either not aware of the potential permanent damage they are causing themselves, or simply don't care. It is because of this reason that parents of substance abusing teens need to seek immediate treatment for their son or daughter. Fortunately for parents, there is a multitude and increasing number of options to choose from in terms of rehabilitation. Furthermore, parents of substance abusing teens need to seek treatment for their teens promptly.
.

Abnormal psychology can sometimes be a result of psychological or social factors. A difficult home life, past trauma or unusual brain chemistry may lead to an unusual way of perceiving the world and poor mental health. This covers a broad range and may include:

• Severe autism × Autism
  Merriam - Webster's Dictionary defines autism A pervasive developmental disorder characterized by severe deficits in social interaction and communication, by an extremely limited range of activities and interests, and often by the presence of repetitive, stereotyped behaviors.
  disorders
• Learning disabilities
• ADHD
• Personality disorders
• Pathological behaviors
• Psychopath or sociopath
• Psychiatric disorders
• 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.  
  disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Dissociative disorders

Abnormal psychology is largely determined by social norms. You know if your child is struggling beyond what you are able to handle.

Dysfunctional behavior is when your teen turns to behaviors that aren’t sustainable or healthy.

How do I Know if My Teen Needs More Help?

It is normal for teens to get into some trouble, question authority, lie to get out of trouble and sometimes fail to really see the big picture.

But it isn’t normal for teens to be violent towards others, self-harm, completely shut down, 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.
substances or lie compulsively. These are examples of teen behavior that is driven by abnormal psychology and has become dysfunctional.

If your teen is acting in a dysfunctional way that is not normal for teen behavior, you need to take action.

This is a crucial time for your child. They are just now starting to branch out and take responsibility for their own actions. Without intervention, your teen could do something that permanently impacts his or her life.

Supportive Solutions for a Dysfunctional Teenager

Intense problems require trained professionals.

Before your teen heads down a path of full-on destruction, you can take more drastic action. Boarding schools and residential treatment centers × Residential treatment centers
The Medical Dictionary defines residential treatment centers as, " Psychiatry Health care provided at a live-in facility to a person with emotional disorders who requires continuous medication and/or supervision or relief from environmental stresses." A residential treatment center is a temporary home for those seeking help with a therapeutic, or emotional ailment or rehabilitation. Individuals enrolled in a residential treatment center, receive personal care, attending groups and individual therapy sessions, training classes specific to the facility and perhaps a way to transition back into the 'real world.' Each residential treatment center is operated for the purpose of serving a specific population, providing solutions to the problems encountered. Have a question? Get an answer from a doctor now! When pertaining to troubled teens, residential treatment centers offer hope to emotionally and behaviorally struggling adolescents. Teens who display out of control, negative behaviors at home, suffer from mental and emotional disorders, or are currently battling addictions, are all good candidates for residential treatment.
are sometimes considered a “last-ditch” effort, but they are valid resources that can help your teen get back on track.

Wilderness therapy programs and Residential Therapeutic Programs for dysfunctional teens can pull your child out of their normal 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.
and help them learn self-control, respect, self-discipline × Discipline
n.noun dis·ci·pline Discipline is one's ability to do the right thing, regardless of how they feel. Discipline is one of the most difficult things for a person to develop as it takes hard work, dedication, and can take years to achieve. Those who develop strong discipline tend to be more successful and happier than those who do not develop strong discipline. Troubled teens are notorious for their lack of discipline. In fact, their lack of discipline is likely the root cause of almost all of their issues. Furthermore, if troubled teens develop discipline, they will be able to overcome their shortcomings and change their live for the better. Parents of troubled teens who are in desperate need of discipline have many options to choose from. These options include, therapeutic boarding schools for troubled teens, group homes, residential treatment centers and even boot camps for troubled teens. However, boot camps are considered ineffective and a "quick fix" that yields no long lasting changes.
, introspection, and more.

Boarding schools can offer unique opportunities for your child to have focused experience in an academic-centric place with peers that have similar struggles.

Short-term residential facilities can help with substance abuse issues for teens.

If you need help determining the right next step for your teen, talk to someone who can help you understand your options. It can be confusing and overwhelming, but a counselor can offer insight and professional support × Support
Support / sup·port/ n. Noun Support is defined as the act or instance of supporting; serve as a foundation for something else. Support can be given to many different ways. Through the encouragement to perform and progress and also through being there for someone who needs help. Support is usually shown through family and peers but can come from anywhere from support centers, rehab centers, and treatment centers. Without a support, confidence would be very difficult to find. Support is key to getting through trials and problems. The ability to have someone that is supporting you and encouraging you to move forward and progress is important to growth and change. Especially with youth, that as they are trying to find out who they are that they feel supported in all of their doings. This is important because as support and encouragement is shown the youth feel confident to become the best they can be.
to make the right call for your family.