Frustration In Teens

Causes

• Teens are often emotional and you might spend a great deal of time trying to figure out the source of their frustration. Your teen could be frustrated with schoolwork because she has trouble understanding certain subjects, or she could be frustrated because she spends so much time on homework and chores that she has little time left to read books or see a movie with friends. Some teens struggle with labeling since children this age judge each other based on possessions and looks, according to international speaker and veteran youth worker T. Suzanne Eller, as shared on the Christian Broadcasting Network. You and your teen likely disagree on many things, including curfew, allowance, chores and friends; all issues that can leave her frustrated every time you battle it out. High expectations and body changes can also lead to frustration.

Behaviors

• Teens display frustration in several ways. To you, it might appear as anger because many teens relieve frustration by yelling or starting a fight. Your teen might also become anxious or withdrawn and may talk to you less or spend more time alone in his room. He might complain of physical symptoms and could even turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope, notes the Psych Central website. Helping your teen recognize the source of his frustration so he can work on a solution can make you both happier.

What Parents Can Do

• Your teen is nearly an adult and you stopped doing everything for her years ago. However, if she's frustrated and acting out because of it, it's your job to step in and help. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests on its website that you monitor your teen's stress levels and watch for signs that her frustration is high. This way, the AACAP article advises, you can intervene by talking to her or taking on some of her load for a few days. Parents can also model healthy frustration management techniques, such as taking a walk or phoning a supportive friend, so that teens can learn to handle the emotion without negative behaviors.

What Teens Can Do

• Helping your teen manage his frustration on his own is a valuable skill that he'll rely on as he heads to college, gets a job and starts a family. Teens can decrease stress and frustration by eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise and abstaining from drugs and alcohol, according to AACAP. Relaxation exercises and practical coping skills also help. Teach your teen to let her frustration out in ways that are assertive, but not violent. For example, she can tell you she's angry and needs a break to avoid a drag-out screaming match between the two of you. Teens who spend time engaging in enjoyable activities with supportive friends can also reduce their frustration level.