Ever felt filled with rage? Anger can take hold of us, leaving us fit to bursting with frustration, like we want to yell at the top of our lungs.
For many of us, our teen years were when anger came out in full force. Whether you’re a teen now or you once were, I’m sure we can all relate to slamming doors, raised voices, and tense muscles.
However, what happens when anger goes beyond what we’d typically consider ‘normal’? If a teen is especially quick to anger and finds it difficult to regulate this emotion, it’s possible they’re struggling with anger management issues.
Fortunately, there are plenty of steps teens and their loved ones can take to support them through anger management issues. But first, what is anger management? And how can we distinguish ‘normal’ anger from anger management issues in teens?
Anger is a natural emotion that we all feel. Sometimes, we can feel anger as mild irritation. Other times, anger can feel all-consuming. The intensity of our anger often depends on the event that triggered it.1
When talking about anger, it’s common for people to believe that anger is inherently bad. This isn’t true—anger itself isn’t an issue. After all, it’s completely natural. However, how we react to anger can become an issue.
For example, we can express our anger by noticing the feeling and communicating it by saying, ‘I’m angry.’ This type of response to anger is perfectly healthy. But if anger takes the driver’s seat and we ‘lose control,’ perhaps screaming at the person who angered us, this is unhealthy.
In this way, the way we manage our anger—how we take the feeling and handle it—is what makes the difference. Now, this is a tricky skill for any of us, let alone a teen who is only beginning to gain independence and navigate the world. Often, they haven’t yet developed the tools they need to stop their anger from escalating.
There are three key signs that suggest a teen’s anger may reflect anger issues rather than ‘normal’ anger:
But how do you spot the signs of impulsive anger outbursts in youth? Well, while anger management issues look different in everyone, there are certain patterns of symptoms of escalating anger in adolescents.
Every teen will show anger, and typically more often than adults. The reason behind this is that teen years involve intense physical, emotional, and psychological changes that can feel tricky to adjust to.
One primary cause of anger management struggles in adolescents is hormone changes. Testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol are three hormones that play a pivotal role in moderating our emotions, including anger. For boys in particular, testosterone surges lead to heightened irritability and impulsiveness. And for girls, fluctuations in estrogen levels mean rapid changes in their stress system and mood.1
What’s more, levels of cortisol, our stress response hormone, also increase in adolescence, triggering elevated agitation and defensiveness. With these three combined, it’s no wonder teens feel particularly amped up.1
Teens are also grappling with a huge change in their identity. Teens may show more levels of anger as they test the boundaries of what behaviors are acceptable and push for more independence. Anger may become the main tool in their arsenal to assert their new identity.
What’s more, with the stress of friendships, exams, and ‘fitting in’ thrown into the mix, it makes sense that many teens struggle with intense emotions and mood fluctuations.
However, everything we’ve talked about so far is true for all teens. So, what tips some teens over the edge into anger management issues? Well, teens may be more at risk of anger management issues if:
If you’re worried you, or a teen you love, may be grappling with anger, know that there are many anger management strategies for troubled youth available. One of the main treatment options is teen anger management residential care.
Residential programs provide a structured environment, which can be so important for teens struggling with anger as it provides them with emotional and behavioral stability while they heal.
In residential treatment programs, teens have access to professional therapists and highly effective, evidence-based treatment plans, so they’ll be receiving the best care available.
What’s more, residential programs often include peer group therapy for teen anger issues. This gives teens opportunities to learn anger management skills in a supportive group setting. They will also meet like-minded teens, giving them chances to build long-lasting friendships.
The therapeutic approaches available in residential programs are unique to each setting. However, residential treatment centers may offer the following inpatient therapy for anger management in youth:
Residential CBT for teen anger management focuses on addressing a teen’s negative thought patterns and teaching them healthy coping strategies.
A behavioral therapist will encourage teens to engage in positive behaviors using techniques such as positive reinforcement and rewards.
In this therapy approach, parents will be involved in the treatment process. This aims to strengthen the family relationships and address any family conflicts.
Peer group therapy allows teens to learn in a supportive environment while feeling less alone. It also gives them the chance to make strong, healthy connections with like-minded teens.
Residential programs will often combine several therapeutic approaches based on each teen’s unique needs. This ensures your teen gets the support they need to overcome their anger issues.
At Mission Prep, alongside the therapy approaches listed above, we offer anger management classes focused on skills training for anger control in teens. This tends to involve a combination of support techniques, including:
Teens often use anger as a coping strategy as they don’t know healthier strategies. Our residential treatment centers will teach teens relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
Teens will also be taught how to regulate their emotions. With our licensed and experienced therapists, teens will practice identifying and naming their emotions, so they can carry these practices into everyday life.
We’ll encourage teens to use healthy outlets, such as physical activity or creative expression, to manage their anger in ways that work for them.
Teens may resort to anger when they don’t know how to solve a situation or problem. At Mission Prep, we teach teens how to resolve conflicts without anger, allowing them to reduce the conflict in their lives.
At this point, you may be wondering: just how important is family and peer support for teens struggling with anger management issues? The answer is: it’s pivotal.
Studies show that social support can reduce anger levels, counteract the negative effects of anger on a person’s life, and encourage healthier behaviors. What’s more, social support reduces depression in teens, and having a strong family connection can lessen adolescent violence.6
Therefore, having a supportive framework around a teen, alongside therapeutic support offered by a residential treatment center, will provide the foundation they need to learn and grow.
At Mission Prep, we know the importance of family involvement for teen anger issues. Therefore, we will always keep you informed and involved in the residential treatment. We’ll also go out of our way to support you to support your teen.
Teen anger management issues can be difficult to cope with day to day. It can feel like you’re walking on eggshells, never knowing when they’re going to erupt.
If this sounds like you, know that recognizing the signs that indicate anger management issues is the first step. The second is seeking professional support for your teen.
Residential treatment centers like Mission Prep offer structured anger therapy for youth, as well as peer support and family involvement. This builds the very foundation needed for a teen to begin to manage their anger and learn new coping strategies.
At Mission Prep, we offer educational programs and workshops for teens to build anger management strategies. What’s more, we offer support to parents and families of teens struggling with anger issues, so you can help your teen in the best way possible.
Get in contact with the team at Mission Prep today at (866) 649-1223.
Find out if Mission Prep is right for you by reaching out to us and speaking with one of our admissions representatives.
