Why teenagers act crazy
The New York Times article written by Richard A. Friedman,
Mr. Friedman discusses teenagers and their outlandish ability to be risk takers, dramatic, and have wild behavior. The unique thing is that teenagers experience high levels of anxiety, and fear, but, have trouble learning not to be afraid. So how does this work? It sound backwards!!!
During the adolescent years teenagers exhibit anxiety and fearfulness largely due to brain development.The brain develops at different times as children mature, the amygdala that processes fear grows faster then the prefrontal cortex, which is involved with reasoning and control. So most teenagers are wired for fear and anxiety but since their brain is underdeveloped when it comes to calm reasoning.
Teenagers are killed typically by three things. Accidents, homicides, and suicides. With this being said they are fearful and scared but are risk seeking and risk takers. This is baffling because it is the total opposite!!!
We discussed the amygdala in class in chapter 12 as non-declarative, or emotional response this is the HOW? in learned behaviors. Adolescents that take stimulants also have emotionally charged experiences, cause a release of norepinephrine in the brain and facilitate memory formation as discussed in class this is how we lose details of occurrences for court cases years later, when trying to recall details for example in an assault case.
Parents have to realize that adolescent anxiety is to be expected, and try to comfort their teenagers, and themselves, by reminding them that they will eventually grow up and out of it soon as their brain matures and grows.
When my kids were younger it was easier to comfort them and talk to them about some of their emotional anxiety, but as they got older now 15 & 19 it became impossible to understand their thought process. It was easier not to say anything then to provoke an argument about ridiculous behaviors or inappropriate topics. As I always said when you have a teenager, seat belt yourself in and enjoy the ride.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/opinion/sunday/why-teenagers-act-crazy.html
Mr. Friedman discusses teenagers and their outlandish ability to be risk takers, dramatic, and have wild behavior. The unique thing is that teenagers experience high levels of anxiety, and fear, but, have trouble learning not to be afraid. So how does this work? It sound backwards!!!
During the adolescent years teenagers exhibit anxiety and fearfulness largely due to brain development.The brain develops at different times as children mature, the amygdala that processes fear grows faster then the prefrontal cortex, which is involved with reasoning and control. So most teenagers are wired for fear and anxiety but since their brain is underdeveloped when it comes to calm reasoning.
Teenagers are killed typically by three things. Accidents, homicides, and suicides. With this being said they are fearful and scared but are risk seeking and risk takers. This is baffling because it is the total opposite!!!
We discussed the amygdala in class in chapter 12 as non-declarative, or emotional response this is the HOW? in learned behaviors. Adolescents that take stimulants also have emotionally charged experiences, cause a release of norepinephrine in the brain and facilitate memory formation as discussed in class this is how we lose details of occurrences for court cases years later, when trying to recall details for example in an assault case.
Parents have to realize that adolescent anxiety is to be expected, and try to comfort their teenagers, and themselves, by reminding them that they will eventually grow up and out of it soon as their brain matures and grows.
When my kids were younger it was easier to comfort them and talk to them about some of their emotional anxiety, but as they got older now 15 & 19 it became impossible to understand their thought process. It was easier not to say anything then to provoke an argument about ridiculous behaviors or inappropriate topics. As I always said when you have a teenager, seat belt yourself in and enjoy the ride.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/opinion/sunday/why-teenagers-act-crazy.html
The rapid growth of the amygdala could also play a role in why teenagers are more likely to take risks. As you said, it sounds backwards, but the idea of not fitting in is more scary to teens than the possible consequences of their actions. As children enter adolescence, the importance of individuality fades and fitting in is crucial. Teens are afraid of being outcasts because negative attention is better than no attention at all. What do you think of this idea?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input. This topic touches home for me with 2 teenage boys they are hard to figure out some times. When it comes to risks they are the first to try it but at the same time have anxiety, nervous energy, both very intelligent but just do stupid things. But you are right they just want to fit in!!! Thanks again
ReplyDeleteI was especially interested in this article as my younger brother and sister are both 13 and entering high school within the next year. I have noticed their behavior has started to change. They are much more irrational, high strung, and oppositional than they used to be as carefree children. As you mentioned in your article, teenagers are typically very anxious but are risk seeking. This is due to changes in the brain. This age is extremely important to brain development. I think it’s important that you mentioned the amygdala especially for emotional processing. Another important part of the brain to mention would be the pre-frontal cortex. As we mentioned in class, this is the part of the brain responsible for executive functioning. Teenagers, as we have both seen in our family members, struggle in this aspect as well. Through reading this article I can reflect on the my own poor decision-making and emotional processing skills associated with being a teenager and better understand the biological changes my siblings and I went through. This was a great read, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your input Amanda
ReplyDeleteI think a great way to get over that fear is peer pressure. When I was in high school my friend brought out some hot sauce at a party. Everyone was trying it. I wasn't going to try it but I did because everyone else tried it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your imput David
ReplyDeleteUnique invulnerability is a huge problem facing teenagers today; the belief that nothing bad will happen to them and that anything bad that has happened to other people is almost ethereal. Teenagers seem to believe that they can make irresponsible choices (due to the effects of the amygdala) and not face any of the consequences such as having unprotected sex (but not experience pregnancy), drive while intoxicated (but not get in a crash), or be in an unsafe area at night (but not experience crime). I am curious of something though. The under-development of the amygdala is a good explanation for teenagers' impulsivity, but what about the teenagers who constantly make good decisions and are responsible. Is nothing special about them? Is it just that their amygdala matured earlier? Can an individual's environment and atmosphere shape their amygdala if that is the sole causal factor of a teenager's tendency to make irresponsible decisions?
ReplyDelete