There is little question concerning the multiple pressures facing adolescents today. On almost every front adolescents are being challenged to meet the various demands of development, as well as ever present psychological changes which occur on a daily basis. For any adolescent to successfully negotiate through the often complicated stages of maturation, both parent and adolescent must have a support system capable of withstanding the often complicated aspect of growing up.
Unfortunately, because of the prevalence of divorce and the decline of the family, parents and adolescents often do not have the support systems they need in order to appropriately manage developmental and environmental pressures. Subsequently, many unhealthy and potentially debilitating behaviours may develop resulting in psychological problems and possible future impairments in social, scholastic and occupational functioning.
What Are Some Issues My Child May Be Dealing With?
Some of the problems that adolescents may face today may include any or all of the following:
Parental pressures
Divorce/Separation issues
Anger
Depression
Anxiety
Impulse control problems
Sibling rivalries
Peer pressure
Gang involvement
Sexual problems
Academic problems
Identity issues
Body disturbance issues
Excessive worry
Suicidal thinking
Oppositionalism and defiance
Eating Disturbances
What About My Feelings?
As we know, the raising of an adolescent can often be an extremely difficult and trying process. Consequently, parents, as well as their adolescents often need support and an environment that not only fosters independence and maturation, but also allows for the expression of feelings and the learning of coping strategies.
Some of the problems that a parent may encounter over the course of their child or adolescent's development may include:
Depression
Anxiety
Excessive worry
Post-partum depression
Changes in lifestyle
Loss of independence
Financial problems
Substance abuse
Occupational problems
Physical illness
Conclusion
Whether your child is having difficulty going through adolescents or you are experiencing the above-mentioned problems as a result of your child's development, you and your family may benefit from our individualized and family treatment approaches.
