Family Intervention For Troubled Teens

Parents are usually the role models for their children.

This general perception may change on the child attaining adolescence. Hormonal and behavioral changes in children will require changed parental attitudes.

When the teen's troubles increase parental intervention is needed and when all efforts fail professional help is required.

Some teenagers sail into adulthood with no behavioral problems. Others, however have changed attitudes and behavior problems.

Parents should monitor the changed behavior of their children and take appropriate steps. The signs of changed behavior include rebelliousness, defiance, unusual withdrawn behavior, violent behavior, substance abuse, addiction and compulsive obsessions like obsessions with body image.
Teens go with a group of friends to whom their parents are not introduced. They become sneaky and hide aspects of their life from their parents.

They withdraw from family and family activities.

Some teens show signs of psychological problems like depression and anxiety.

Once teenage troubles are detected by parents, parents must take steps to solve the problem early and wean the teen from their troubles.
Gentle non confrontational instruction will help to teach teens to lead responsible lives. Parents should listen to teens and be willing to act as consultants when the teen needs help.

This is no time to play dictator.

A dictatorial attitude will evoke a rebellious response and push the teen deeper in trouble. Parents should not trust the teen completely and if the teen does a rash act, parents should not hide behind a screen of disbelief.
They should realize that the act of the teenager is a cry for help and professional help should be sought immediately.  A troubled teen gets into habits that endanger the life and mental balance of the teen. Parents should endeavor to bring this balance back by helping the teen themselves or by consulting social workers or teen psychology experts.

Parents need to keep track of their teen's activities within reason.

Parents should set down discipline rules that are not too harsh or too lenient.
Disciplining is a part of loving and imparting values and sensible rules to a teen will save the teen from life threatening consequences.

Parental intervention is the beneficial first step to solve the troubles of an adolescent.

Parents should spare no effort in correcting the behavioral problems of teens.
If parents are unable to reform the child themselves, they should seek professional help.
If professionals are not able to solve the problem, teenagers should be sent to special schools or programs  where living and  working with other troubled teens will help them to learn the values of discipline and leading a balanced lifestyle.

Parents should never shy away from seeking the help of professionals.
These professionals are trained in dealing with teenage troubles. Physicians, therapists and counsellors are well versed in dealing with teens.

Parents should be open minded and learn from these professionals ways by which the family can work towards helping the troubled teen.   The primary institution where teenage issues can be resolved is the family and when a teen shows signs of trouble, family should make every effort to turn the life of the teen around.