Disputes and disagreements are common in a teenager's family life. But in some families these arguments go much further due to aggressiveness. It is common for this type of abuse to be hidden and it takes the family a while to tell about it. Many parents feel that they have failed in the education and control of their children so they feel responsible for that behavior. Also, they may not know who to turn to. Any type of aggressive behavior can be very stressful and can cause an atmosphere of tension and fear in the family.
That is why it is very important to ask for help in time, there are numerous techniques and tips that can help you overcome this phase. In this Psychology-Online article, we will talk about aggressiveness in adolescents: causes and treatment.
Over the years, researchers have identified some factors as possible causes of adolescent aggression. Some of those factors are:
Traumatic event
A traumatic event (such as the death or illness of a relative, parental divorce, stressful peer harassment ...) can trigger aggressive behaviors in adolescents. Even fights in the family, especially between parents, can produce such behaviors.
Abuse
Sexual or physical abuse can be another cause of aggressive behaviors in adolescents. The abuse causes anger and shame in the adolescent. Sometimes, when the adolescent is not able to tell what has happened to him, she manifests it through aggression.
Psychiatric disorders
Some adolescents may display aggressive behaviors as a result of a psychiatric disorder: Bipolar disorder, panic, schizophrenia, depression and post-traumatic stress.
Medical problems
In some cases, a medical problem is the cause of the adolescent aggression. Brain damage, epilepsy or tourette syndrome, among others, can be the cause of aggressive behavior in adolescents.
ADHD and learning difficulties
Adolescents with these types of difficulties present a series of emotional and social problems that can be manifested through aggressiveness.
Substance abuse
Many teens experiment with alcohol and other drugs. However, when they start to abuse certain substances on a regular basis and become addicted, aggressive behaviors can occur.
Low self-esteem
Some teens have low self-esteem and they try to fill that deficit aggressively, especially among equals.
Some of the treatment options for adolescent aggression are:
Medication
In some cases, medication can be used in the short term to control certain symptoms. The type of medication depends on the adolescent's diagnosis. If medication is not necessary to manage the underlying problem, it can be used to control aggression.
Behavioral therapy
A kind of behavioral contract can be established in which the consequences of certain behaviors considered negative, as well as behaviors considered positive that will be reinforced. In addition, social skills, environmental stressors, etc. will also be worked on.
Group therapy
It's about training social skills and alternative coping strategies to aggression in a group of adolescents. Each session will focus on needs raised by group members. This type of therapy shows the adolescent that he is not alone and that he is not the only one with this problem, being able to find support in other members of the group.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
