Disorganization In Teens

The Teen Brain

• The teen brain is different from that of both children and adults. According to the National Institutes of Health, the brain goes through many, many changes. In childhood, the brain processes information through a massive number of impulses. The adult brain is more efficient, using only about two-thirds of the synapses of the child̵7;s brain. One of the reasons the adult brain can be so efficient is that it relies on the frontal lobe to weigh options and outcomes. Dr. Frances Jensen, a pediatric neurologist at Children̵7;s Hospital of Boston, points out in an article on NPR.org that teens are caught between childhood and adulthood. They don̵7;t have high synaptic output, yet they can̵7;t easily use their frontal lobe. This means that teens have lost the habits of childhood that kept them organized but don̵7;t have the judgment of adults to see that organization is a necessary skill.

Lack of Sleep

• Another aspect of this changing brain is changing sleep patterns. The National Sleep Foundation states that during the teen years, the brain̵7;s natural sleep cycle shifts to later sleeping and waking times. The NSF points out that it is perfectly natural for a teen to be wide awake until 11:00 p.m. or later. However, the teen is still growing and needs close to nine hours of sleep a night. For many teens, school starts when their bodies still want to sleep. This can lead to habitual sleep deprivation. When teens are sleep-deprived, their ability to remember tasks and organize their lives suffers.

What Parents Can Do

• Teens still need limits and consequences. Dr. Carl Pickhardt, a psychologist in Austin, Texas, notes in an article on the "Psychology Today" website that disorganized teens can feel that their lives are out of control. As parents help teens with organization skills, their lives become more manageable. Parents can help teens through this period by focusing on small responsibilities. This might include picking up a bedroom or keeping track of textbooks. Other ways to help your teen learn organizational skills is to use technology. Keep a list of daily responsibilities on the teen̵7;s phone or computer so that she can check off completed tasks. Keep a calendar with test dates, practices and other engagements handy.

When to Worry

• Disorganization can also be a symptom of depression. If the teen has suddenly become disorganized, showing no concern for his appearance or grades, depression may be the cause, the staff at the Mayo Clinic website advises. Look at any causes for the behavior such as a major life change or loss. Watch the child for signs of sadness or lack of interest in family and friends. Keep an eye on the teen̵7;s eating and sleeping patterns. Depression in some cases may cause a teen to lose his appetite while under similar pressures another may eat more frequently. Many depressed teens report the inability to sleep. If your teen shows signs of depression, talk to the pediatrician or seek help immediately.