Risky Decision-Making in Teens: Causes & Treatment for Impulsivity
Sometimes, parents might watch their teen make a choice that seems obviously unsafe and wonder, Why would they do that?
While teens may understand what consequences are, their developing brains, intense emotions, and social pressures often override logical thinking in the moment. Therefore, impulsivity and risky decision-making can be common in teens. However, if risky decision-making is frequent, it may be a sign of a more complex issue that deserves support.
If you are concerned that your teen is risking their safety, seeking professional advice is advised. Further, if you are curious to understand what causes the risky decision making teens may exhibit, or how to support your teen with impulsive behavior, this page can help. In it, we cover:
- What impulsive or risky behavior means
- Signs to look for in teens
- Causes of impulsivity and teen decision making problems
- Impact of risk-taking and impulsivity
- Effective treatment options
- How parents can help teens
- Where to seek professional support
What Is Risky or Impulsive Behavior?
The teenage years are a time of exploration, forming identity, and increasing independence. This means that teens may push boundaries and increasingly want to make decisions for themselves; however, not all of these decisions are guided by careful consideration and logic.
Some impulsivity is normal for teens: adolescent brains are still developing, particularly in the regions responsible for planning, reasoning, and self-control. And, although the terms are often used interchangeably, risky and impulsive behaviors are not the same thing. So, what are the differences?
Risky behavior involves a conscious choice to carry out an action despite the potential for harm, such as injury, illness, or negative consequences. The risky decision making teens use can be motivated by a sense of adventure or wanting excitement. Some examples of risky behaviors include fighting, drinking, unsafe driving, skipping school, or unsafe sexual activity.1
In contrast, impulsive behavior occurs when a teen acts on an impulse or urge without considering the consequences. This may be due to underdeveloped self-control or emotional dysregulation. For instance, teens may have emotional outbursts, blurt out comments without thinking about them first, or make impulsive purchases.2
While occasional risky or impulsive behaviour is part of teenage development, persistent patterns may reflect difficulties with judgment or self-control, which could eventually lead to serious negative consequences.
But how do you know what behavior to look for? We cover the signs of impulsive or risky decision-making next.
Signs of Impulsive or Risky Decision-Making Patterns in Teens
It can be difficult to know whether teen boundary pushing and independence seeking crosses a line and becomes problematic behavior. Often, these behaviours start off small and become riskier with time. Recognizing the warning signs of behavioral issues allows parents to intervene early and support their teen. So, what are some of the warning signs to look for?
Signs of risky decision making in teens include:1,3
- Lying
- Provoking fights
- Cheating on tests
- Skipping School
- Thrill-seeking or rule-breaking attitudes
- Peer-influenced actions
- Experimenting with drugs or alcohol
- Risky driving or riding with drivers who take risks (speeding, drink-driving, and so on)
- Unprotected sexual activity
Signs of impulsive behaviors may look like…2
- Blurting out thoughts without thinking
- Impulse purchases
- Aggressive or angry outbursts
- Restlessness or distractibility
- Interrupting others
- Breaking laws or damaging property
- Making inappropriate remarks
- Uncontrollable emotional reactions such as screaming or shouting
If you notice these patterns in your teen, they may be finding decision-making or impulsivity a challenge.
Understanding why teens think and behave the way they do can help you to support your teen with compassion. The most common causes of risky and impulsive behaviors are explored in the following sections.
Causes of Impulsivity and Risk-Taking in Adolescents
Adolescent Brain Development
The brain is still developing through adolescence and into early adulthood. A significant factor is that the amygdala (responsible for processing emotions) matures faster than the frontal cortex (which controls reasoning, logic, planning, and decision-making). This means teens may become overwhelmed by emotions but struggle to resist impulsive behavior or make sensible decisions, which can lead to impaired judgment in adolescents.2,4,5Stress
Stress is another contributing factor to risky decision-making and impulsivity in teens. This is because stress affects areas of the brain responsible for memory and learning, both of which are crucial for making good decisions. And, with adolescents experiencing stress from academic pressure or social influences, it may be more difficult for your teen to make “good” decisions.6 Additionally, studies show that teens who struggle with emotional regulation – skills which are still developing during adolescence – are more likely to make risky decisions.4,7Mental Health and Behavioral Disorders
Certain mental health conditions and behavioral disorders have “impulsivity” as a common characteristic or symptom. These include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, trauma disorders, impulse control disorders, anxiety, and mood disorders.8-12Peer Influences
Peer pressure can be a strong influence during adolescence. Studies show teens are more likely to take risks when encouraged by peers, giving some insight into risk taking teens psychology.13,14 Furthermore, peer pressure may lead adolescents to experiment with substances, such as alcohol. One substance use risk teens face is changes or delays to brain development that are essential for good decision-making.4 While these factors don’t absolve youth from responsibility for the decisions they make, they can help parents understand what drives teens to make certain decisions. By understanding the potential causes, parents can support their teens in compassionate, appropriate ways.4 When risky or impulsive behavior patterns are left untreated, they can harm teens and affect the course of their lives. But how severe can these effects be?Impact of Impulsive and Risky Decision Making in Teens
Impulsivity and risky behaviors can have serious impacts on a teen, both in the present and for their future.
Patterns of risky behaviors or impulsivity in teens could potentially lead to:15
- Relationship ruptures due to aggressive outbursts
- Injuries resulting from risky actions, such as dangerous driving
- Pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections from risky sexual activity
- Substance misuse resulting from substance experimentation
- Self-harm due to impulsivity and emotional dysregulation
- Increased anxiety or guilt because of their behaviors
- Criminal activities due to behaviors such as risky sexual activities, substance use, aggression, violence, or gambling
As you may gather, the above issues can negatively influence a teen’s education, career, mental health, and relationships.
Fortunately, support and professional treatment are available to help teens make better decisions and improve self-control. These options are covered in more detail in the next section.
Professional Treatment and Support for Teens
Treatment for impulsivity is most effective when it addresses both emotional regulation and any underlying causes, such as stress, trauma, or mental health conditions. Professional treatment often combines therapy and medication options to comprehensively support your teen toward healthier decision-making and improved self-control.
Therapy for Impulsive Teens
Therapy can be invaluable for teens experiencing struggles with impulsivity or decision-making. Many parents search for “teen counseling near me” when first looking for therapy, but understanding the most effective approaches can help you investigate the best options for your teen’s needs. Some effective therapies for teens are explored below.
Evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) help teens understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Sessions help adolescents identify unhelpful patterns and work to change these to healthier ways of managing. Also, they can learn coping skills to deal with situations that may trigger impulsive behavior.2 Additionally, CBT is effective at treating underlying mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
Alternatively, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can be highly effective for adolescents. At its core, DBT focuses on improving emotional regulation, tolerating distress, and developing communication skills. This is why it can be useful for teens whose impulsivity is fueled by emotional dysregulation, intense stress, or underlying mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder.
Furthermore, trauma-focused therapy may be beneficial if behavioral problems stem from trauma disorders. For instance, approaches like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can help teens to process trauma and discover how to manage problematic symptoms effectively.
Medications
Medications may help manage impulsivity if it is caused by underlying conditions that require treatment. For instance, stimulant or non-stimulant medications may be prescribed for treating ADHD symptoms, while selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may alleviate symptoms of depression that exacerbate impulsivity.2 However, medication tends to work best when it’s accompanied by therapy.
Teen Residential Treatment Programs
Residential programs may be an appropriate option for teens with severe or persistent impulsivity, especially for those who may be a danger to themselves or others. Residential treatment offers 24/7 care for teens, providing a higher level of support than is usually provided through outpatient services, incorporating therapy, education, and skill-building sessions into daily schedules.
Alternatively, high-level support options are available on an outpatient basis. Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) offer the benefits of structured, intensive therapy while allowing teens to live at home and maintain a daily routine.
Professional treatment options, such as therapy or the essential behavior disorder treatment teens may require can have a profound impact on many teens struggling with impulsivity. Yet, parental support also plays a major role in providing impulsive teens help at home. If you’re wondering how best to support your teen, we have you covered. We’ll explore practical strategies in the next section.
How Parents Can Support Teens
Daily support at home from parents and caregivers can reinforce the skills required to curb impulsivity and encourage responsible decision-making that teens learn through therapy.
Suggestions of ways to support your teen may include:
- Learning about the causes: Understanding the factors contributing to your teen’s impulsivity can help you respond with empathy rather than frustration.
- Providing positive reinforcement: Praising your teen for good and appropriate behavior encourages them to repeat healthy choices.
- Encouraging empathy: You can help your child consider how their choices and behaviors affect those they care about.
- Creating consistent routines: Establishing daily routines and clear boundaries can help your teen feel safer and reduce impulsivity through predictability. If boundaries are crossed, discussing the effects reinforces the consequences awareness teens need.
- Being a role model: Modeling healthy decision-making shows your teen what to consider when making responsible, informed decisions.
- Open communication: Creating a non-judgmental environment enables teens to feel comfortable discussing challenges or mistakes and to reach out for support when they need it.
- Encouraging coping skills: For teens with healthy coping skills, impulsive behavior can be more effectively managed. Some examples of practical behavioral and emotional regulation strategies teens could try include:
- Mindfulness: To create space to pause and think before taking action.
- Journaling: To explore emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and weigh up pros and cons for decision making.
- Utilising technology positively: Using a notes app on a phone can allow teens to write down what they want to say before they blurt it out loud.
- Encourage sports and creativity: Safe hobbies can allow teens with a thrill-seeking attitude a healthy outlet for their emotions.
By combining professional treatment with home support, parents can help teens gain control over impulsivity, improve decision-making, and lead a more balanced life.
Find Safety Through Mission Prep
If you’re worried about your teens’ behaviour, know that you are not alone. While adolescence is often a time of exploration, patterns of risky behaviour and impulsivity can cause concern. Yet, with the right support, your teen can develop the skills needed to make well-considered decisions and curb impulsive behavior.
At Mission Prep, we specialize in supporting teens with emotional and behavioral challenges, including ADHD, depression, and trauma. Through evidence-based therapies, family support, and medication management (where appropriate), we help teens develop better self-awareness, regain control, and learn the skills necessary to lead a safer, more fulfilling life.
If your teen is ready to make positive changes, reach out to us today. We can help them toward healthier decision-making, stronger self-control, and a more secure future.
References
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025, October 21). Teens: Risk Behaviors. https://www.cdc.gov/parents/teens/risk-behaviors.html
- Altomara, D. (2025, October 14). What is Impulsivity (Impulsive Behavior)? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-impulsivity
- Kahn, N. F., & Graham, R. (2019, December 12). The current landscape of adolescent risk behavior. Promoting Positive Adolescent Health Behaviors and Outcomes – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554988/
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). (2017, September). Teen brain: behavior, problem solving, and decision making. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/The-Teen-Brain-Behavior-Problem-Solving-and-Decision-Making-095.aspx
- Galvan, A. (2010). Adolescent development of the reward system. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 4, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/neuro.09.006.2010
- Luis Felipe Sarmiento, Pamela Lopes da Cunha, Sonia Tabares, Gustavo Tafet, Amauri Gouveia Jr. (2024). Decision-making under stress: A psychological and neurobiological integrative model. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity – Health, 38, 100766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100766
- Lauriola, M., Cerniglia, L., Tambelli, R., & Cimino, S. (2022). Deliberative and Affective Risky Decisions in Teenagers: Different Associations with Maladaptive Psychological Functioning and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation? Children, 9(12), 1915. https://doi.org/10.3390/children9121915
- Kim, J. H., & Choi, J. Y. (2020). Influence of childhood trauma and post-traumatic stress symptoms on impulsivity: focusing on differences according to the dimensions of impulsivity. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 11(1), 1796276. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2020.1796276
- Cleveland Clinic. (2025, September 19). Impulse control disorders. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25175-impulse-control-disorders
- Lee, T., Liu, H., Huang, Y., Sun, F., & Liu, S. (2023). How Impulsivity is Associated with Adolescent Depression: The Role of Substance Use, Gender and Social Support. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 16, 4959–4970. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s429923
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). (n.d.). Common signs and symptoms. Retrieved November 23, 2025, from https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/ADHD_Resource_Center/ADHD_A_Guide_for_Families/Common_Signs_and_Symptoms.aspx
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). (2017, March). Bipolar disorder in children and teens. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Bipolar-Disorder-In-Children-And-Teens-038.aspx
- Smith, A. R., Chein, J., & Steinberg, L. (2014). Peers increase adolescent risk taking even when the probabilities of negative outcomes are known. Developmental Psychology, 50(5), 1564–1568. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035696
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2023). The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-7-things-to-know
- Martin, S., Zabala, C., Del-Monte, J., Graziani, P., Aizpurua, E., Barry, T. J., & Ricarte, J. (2019). Examining the relationships between impulsivity, aggression, and recidivism for prisoners with antisocial personality disorder. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 49, 101314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2019.07.009
