What is a Troubled Teen Thinking About?
Raising a teenager can be quite challenging. Those who have a troubled teen on their hands and they simply can’t understand them can learn something valuable here. It’s what’s going through a troubled teen’s mind on a daily basis.
Whether parents or grandparents are dealing with angry outbursts, mood swings, or curfew violations, it is crucial that they understand the child before they become aggressive. Usually, teens who are constantly angry without a particular reason have no idea why they feel that way. (1)
At times, they wake up mad, and no matter what they do, they simply can’t get rid of that anger. Even if they want to feel good, they simply can’t help it.
Why Are Teenagers Angry?
Teenagers feel trapped in their ever-changing bodies, repeating the same day over and over again. It is like living in prison. Their whole life is made up of things they MUST do, and not what they WANT to do. (2)
School, papers, quizzes, tests, assignments, projects – every day they are forced to spend time with other teenagers who feel as messed up as them. Of course, teenagers often get hurt by someone else but are ashamed to say that they feel hurt.
They don’t want to share their feelings all the time. Their whole lives are a burden. They don’t want to wake up, don’t want to go to school, go to bed, go someplace they have to… They simply want to be free.
The only time when they are not stressed is when they are doing the things they want, even if it is sleeping, playing on the computer, or scrolling on their phone. This is the only time when they are not upset.
Often, teenagers can’t stand being with their own thoughts. So, they do everything to distract themselves from their own mind. This may sound crazy, but it is actually true. The mind of a teen is chaotic.
Why Is a Teen’s Room Always Messy?
They like it that way. Their room looks exactly how they feel on the inside. When you argue with a teen, they always blame you for their failure and mistakes. They say horrible things and even break things. Why? Because they feel broken inside.
Was It Always Like This?
No, it wasn’t. Whenever a teen looks at old photos from elementary school, they look at the kid they used to be. Happy, carefree, and full of hope. They loved doing silly things and having fun. Now, they don’t care.
They feel as if that kid is dead.
How to Fix This?
Teens don’t ever say it, but they want you to be stronger than them. They want you to listen and never give up on them. It may sound strange, but, they don’t want you to hate them. In fact, they want you to be patient, understanding and accepting.
What Is a Teen Thinking?
Here is what a teen wants you to know, even if they don’t say it.
1. Find Me, Someone, to Talk to
I need someone to believe in me, someone who understands me. I need an adult I can admire, someone that is not you. A therapist, counselor, or mentor. (3)
2. Don’t Spoil Me
The more you give me, the more I will hate you for it. So, stop giving me everything. I need to learn to become independent. (4)
3. Tell Me You Love Me
Teens don’t say it often, but they do love you and want to feel loved.
4. I Need Space
Don’t make demands or come into my room. Also, never ever yell at me. I just want to be alone.
5. Take Me Somewhere Quiet
I would like to go somewhere quiet where both of us will talk and not argue. Take me somewhere where I can forget all my problems.
