If you are the parent of a teenager, you probably hear your fair share of raised voices and slammed doors. With everything from depression, to brain structure, to hormones as a possible cause of teen anger, it is sometimes hard to determine the real reason behind that ever-present scowl. If you can set aside your frustration long enough to take an honest look though, you might find that your teen's angry outbursts offer powerful clues to his inner world.
This article is intended as a general overview of the causes of teen anger only, and should not replace the advice of a qualified medical professional.
Depression
You might not think your teen is depressed when she throws that lamp across the room or screams at you for no apparent reason, but according to psychologist Dan Williams, anger is a classic sign of teen depression. Though teen girls are twice as likely to report feeling depressed, teen boys are more likely to express depression through anger and anti-social behavior. If your teen seems angry all the time, ask yourself if he shows any other signs of depression. Possible signs of depression include eating too much or too little, sleeping too much, problems in school, or experimenting with drugs or alcohol. If you suspect depression is a factor, consult a doctor for advice.
Brain
In a study published in the February 25, 2008 issue of "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences," researchers at the University of Melbourne concluded that teen anger is connected to brain structure. Teens with an above average size amygdala, a part of the brain associated with emotion and memory, demonstrate a greater ability to sustain anger and aggression than do teens with a normal size amygdala.
ADHD
Anger is sometimes a sign of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in teens. People with ADHD find it difficult to pay attention and are often disorganized and easily distracted. If your teen has ADHD, she will likely crave social dominance, but will not have the skills to succeed in social settings. When she does not get her way, the ADHD will make it difficult for her to control her anger or understand the consequences of her actions.
Grief
Teens may use anger as a way to express feelings of grief and loss, following the death of a loved one. A grieving teen may not want to talk through feelings but may act them out instead. If the teen either witnessed the death or feels personally responsible for the death, he may compensate for feelings of helplessness by lashing out at others in anger.
Operational Defiant Disorder
If your teen's anger seems out of control, it may signify more than an adolescent phase. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a pattern of angry and uncooperative behavior characterized by defiance, excessive arguing, an inability to accept blame for mistakes, and a desire to seek revenge. While this can describe many teens on any given day, the key to ODD is that it is an ongoing pattern of serious and disruptive behavior with consistently negative consequences.
References
- Psych Central: Teenage Anger
- Peace and Healing: Teen Depression; Dan Williams Psy.D PA-C
- "Proceedings of the National Academy Sciences of the United States of America": Prefontal and Amygdala Volumes are Related to Adolescents' Affective Behaviors During Parent-Adolescent Interactions; Sarah Wittle; Marie B.H. Yap; Murat Yucel; Alex Fornito; Julian G. Simmons; Anna Barrett; Lisa Sheeber; Nicholas B. Allen; Feb.25,2008
- Parenting the At Risk Child: Do You Have an Anger Prone Child
- Huckleberry House Inc.: From Our House To Yours; Teens and Grieving
