What Causes Teenage Blues?

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Parents and all youth workers should get something very very clear from the onset. Moody behavior is not imaginary nor an act put up to harass you. The teenager is simply soliciting your understanding primarily, and probably asking for any meaningful clue from you to reassure him/her that all is well. Although your best efforts with all good intentions may be rebuffed, you can still be of an immeasurable help.

Human emotion is cyclical; it swings high and low. Even you can testify to this, though you are already an adult. But mood swings are more pronounced in the teenage. When your teenager is moody, watch him wisely but leave him alone. He will certainly calm down. And when he calms, then is the right time to come in with whatever useful hints you have for him in the spirit of love and affection. Adolescence is usually turbulent because the adolescents do not fully understand what is happening to their body. Worse still, and as the case usually is, most teenagers find themselves in the midst of adults who do not understand their developmental demands, or who simply refuses to show the expected understanding.

1. Physiology Demands: Rapid physiological and physical changes are the immediate causes of teenage blues. Growth hormones are responsible for these changes. The hormones are secreted by a small bean-shaped organ situated near the centre of the brain. This organ is called the pituitary gland or master gland. The plan for your own body us situated somewhere within your own master gland. And at just the right time, the gland will secrete growth hormones which stimulates the rest of your body's endocrine glands. In this way, the teenager is being prepared by nature for parenthood and so the reproductive hormones are highly stimulated at this time to bring about puberty. The changes in the body of teenagers are so rapid and alarming that he/she cannot help but worry. She winders: "Do I discuss this with my mother, a friend or just anybody?" Because of all these feelings, the teenager comes down with bad moods or occasional monumental tantrums. At times, he/she prefers to look himself/herself up in his/her room all alone. Allow him his desired privacy.

2. Pressure of Conformity: Your teenager may know what is right but may find it difficult to push against peer pressure in order to do the right thing. He finds it difficult to say "No" to those wrong things which you have already taken time to explain to him. "My mates are doing it, why not I? If I don't do it, they will ridicule me," and so on. Against the backdrop of fundamental teachings, they are discovering new ways. Most teenagers take to drugs and alcoholism because they want to belong, to conform. Even some take to promiscuity - boyfriend/girlfriend - due to the pressure of conformity. Try and understand your teenagers' plight and show him greater mature love than he/she can get from peers. You will surely retain your teenager. Your informed love is mightier than any peer pressure. Make use of love.

3. Parent's Ignorance and Over-reaction: Mrs. Rose in our story, did not just react to Bella's behaviour in ignorance, but she over-reacted. She would have affectionately looked for a way to diffuse the tension in her teenage daughter but she was putting more pressure instead. She would have simply reassured Bella of her beauty and what God says about her, but she took her to a wrong direction entirely by reacting wrongly. Some parents have sent their teenagers out of the house because they failed to put two and two together. Your sanctification and other experiences maybe sorely tested when your children step into their teen years. I hope you will not disown them due to lack of understanding on your part. I hope you will show them true love that will cushion the effects of growth hormones and peer pressures on them.

Next Post: How To Cope With Teenage Blues