Although the seemingly erratic, impulsive, and emotionally charged reactions and behaviors exhibited by teenagers during adolescence are natural, it does not make them any less challenging to navigate. Teenagers innately operate from an emotional standpoint. This is primarily due to the fact that the pre-frontal cortex, which is the area of the brain that reigns rational thought, executive planning, and impulse control, is not yet fully developed. Therefore, teenagers are forced to react to external stimuli using the amygdala, which is the area of the brain that is directly associated with impulsivity, emotions, aggression, and instinctive behavior. It is impossible to move through life without encountering negative emotions. Negative emotions are defined as “an unpleasant or unhappy emotion which is evoked in individuals to express a negative affect towards an event or person.” Here are a few suggestions for how to face any negative emotions you may be feeling and deal with them in a healthy way:
- Acknowledge that you are experiencing heavy emotions: by recognizing, acknowledging, and naming your negative emotions you can begin to face them, feel them, and let them go.
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- Foster emotional awareness: life is all about the good, the bad, the horrible, the amazing, and everywhere in between. Experiencing the heavier emotions from time to time can help us recognize when we are feeling good. Recognizing what you are feeling and when will build your emotional awareness and improve your ability to be aware of what you are feeling in any given moment.
- Have a plan to deescalate and ground yourself: identifying ways that make you feel safe, secure, and calm, and implementing them in times of need, can help you feel more resilient and capable in facing heavier emotions when they appear.
- Have patience: learning to fully face big emotions, both positive and negative, is a process that takes time; be patient with yourself and allow yourself to go at your own pace.
As pre-adolescent emotional coping mechanisms quickly become outdated and ineffective, teenagers are left harboring big emotions without the proper emotional tools to overcome them. Set yourself up for success by cultivating a variety of skills and strategies so you are prepared to navigate and overcome negative emotions when they arise.
For Information and Support
Every family in need of mental health treatment must select a program that will best suit the needs of their family. When one member of a family struggles, it impacts everyone in the family unit. To maximize the benefits of treatment we work closely with the entire family to ensure that everyone is receiving the support they need through these difficult times. Seeking help is never easy, but you are not alone! If you or someone you know needs mental health treatment, we strongly encourage you to reach out for help as quickly as possible. It is not uncommon for many mental health difficulties to impact a person’s life, long term. Pursuing support at the beginning of one’s journey can put the individual in the best position to learn how to manage themselves in a healthy way so they can go on to live happy and fulfilling lives.
OUR KNOWLEDGEABLE ADMISSIONS TEAM CAN BE REACHED 24/7 AT INFO@PACIFICRTC.COM OR CALL: 800-531-5769 We are available to answer any questions you may have regarding mental health treatment and our residential program, anytime. Contact us today using the form to the right.
