Handle your teenager with care
Handle your teenager with care
Author: Ankita Chaturvedi
Date Published: October 9, 2016
Experts say adolescence comes with a bundle of physical and hormonal changes and this is when youngsters need all psychological and emotional support.
Like any other teenager, 17-year-old Laila is struggling with a major identity crisis. She has had a tough time going to school and facing crowds.
“We were new in Dubai and I always have this feeling that I don’t belong to this place. I used to sit at home for the whole day and even refused to go to school for months,” Laila told Khaleej Times.
Experts say adolescence comes with a bundle of physical and hormonal changes and this is when youngsters need all psychological and emotional support.
On this World Mental Health Day tomorrow (October 10), the German Neuroscience Centre has launched a support groups for teenagers in the UAE. The group held its first meeting on October 6, providing a confidential environment for teens to vent out their feelings and discuss issues that affect their mental health and well-being.
Nur, a Grade 12 student, confessed to be a complete rebel till few months back. But after a couple of sessions with a psychologist, he said he is able to change his behaviour.
“I used to get aggressive easily and hardly used to step out of my home. But now I go out and try to spend quality time with my mother. I feel happy now,” said Nur.
Are teen issues rightly dealt with?
Parents, guardians and teachers play a vital role in shaping a child’s personality, nature and character. According to Dr Fadwa L. Lkorchy, a psychologist and personality dimension trainer who will be part of the support sessions, communication and patience is key to dealing with teen issues.
“It is important to understand their problems. First, for example, what exactly they are going through. Second step is to comfort them and assure them so that they can confide in you completely or can discuss openly about their problems. Aggression or getting rude with them can make it difficult for you to deal with the issue,” she said.
“Sometimes teenagers come with a problem where they live in an illusion. I have patients who fake depression because they think it is cool. They watch videos of celebrities in depression and act that they are going through the same. Though the problem is different, it is equally dangerous and challenging for their mental health.”
Depression burdens young minds
Depression is the biggest burden on young minds, according to a recent World Health Organisation study.
- 1 in 10 children and young people aged 5 to 16 worldwide suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder.
- The number of young people aged 15 to 16 with depression nearly doubled between 1980s and the 2000s.
- Nearly 80,000 children and young people suffer from severe depression.
- More than half of all adults with mental health problems were diagnosed in childhood.
How to deal with teen problems
Appreciate them from time to time
- Make them feel special
- Encourage them in their realising their dreams
- Make open and healthy discussions with them
- Give them space and respect their choice
- Organise a family picnic or outing
Read the original article here
See more media by Fadwa Lkorchy
