Does an Adolescent Need Counseling?

Humans go through various stages to complete their life journey. One of the most complex stages is that of adolescence. This phase is described as the period between 13 and 19 years. It is considered to be the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood and plays an important role in the formation of a prosocial or an antisocial adult. Adolescents experience a lot of emotional highs and lows. They deal with hormonal changes, puberty, social and parental forces, school pressures, as well as unprecedented stresses concerning school, college, and career confusion. They may feel great at one point, but the next second, they feel depressed and gloomy. These kinds of extreme mood swings are frequent during adolescence.

Challenges Faced by Adolescents

Appallingly, all of these adolescent problems are multifarious and linked to one another. So, when they face issues related to self-esteem and body image, they may develop stress or eating disorders. They may also feel stressed when they experience peer pressure and competition at school or when they're misunderstood and punished at home. In response to this stress, many of them may indulge in smoking or drinking behaviors. Some may even find relief in locking themselves up in their rooms, playing video games, or being on social media platforms for the entire day, which can result in addiction. At such times, adolescents can quickly become targets of online predators, and once, if poorly treated, they may also resort to more dangerous practices.

To deal with failure, or due to peer pressure and the pressure to be 'cool', adolescents may resort to substance abuse or get into perilous relationships. Some may even end up engaging in delinquent activities. Then, it's needless to say that due to the vulnerability of this stage, adolescents need immense emotional support at home and school to protect them from indulging in at-risk behaviors.

Nature vs. Nurture Debate

The question of whether an adolescent is likely to engage in problem behaviors resurrects the debate of nature versus nurture. Herein, one aspect claims that genes and inherent traits are the most important in determining behavior problems, while the other view emphasizes the role of environmental factors such as unstable home, disregard or absence of parental supervision, parenting style, sexual abuse or separation from peers, and lack of education (Moffitt, 1993). It is commonly believed that students with deviant behaviors will outgrow them as time passes and become well-adjusted individuals. However, Patterson, Cipaldi & Bank (1991); Trembley (2000); and Wahler & Dumas (1986) suggest that this does not stand true for students showcasing a regular pattern of behavior problems.

A pattern of childhood behavioral problems is the best interpreter of misbehavior in adolescence. According to Walker (2004), the most common behavior patterns of students with emotional and behavioral problems are antisocial or externalizing behaviors, characterized by moving out of place, shouting, talking without turn, troubling classmates, beating or quarreling, ignoring the teacher or authority figures, being argumentative and dishonest, stealing, destructing property, not finishing homework, etc. Students with behavioral and emotional problems have too little social interaction. They lack the social skills needed to make new acquaintances and frequently indulge in daydreaming and fantasizing. Some are frightened without appropriate reasons, repeatedly whine about illness and injury, and set off into a depression (Boyle, 2002).

The Role of Counselling

To conclude, challenges faced by adolescents are varied but interconnected in many cases. One problem leads to another, and sometimes it's not easy to get through these problems alone. So, if the adolescent is causing trouble at school or home or if he/she remains anxious or gloomy for an extended period, it indicates the need for guidance and counseling. At such a juncture, the counselor can help the child identify the problem and the possible solutions to it. This clears the emotional chaos that clouds the adolescent's mind and aids them to work on their coping skills and enhance their communication skills. This boosts their self-esteem and promotes positive mental health.

A Note to Parents

Make sure to never trivialize your adolescent's concerns or shy away from encouraging them to seek help. Let's allow them to recover!

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by Ms Christina Francis

Christina Francis is an Educator and Counselor at SFS Academy, Bengaluru, and a PhD scholar in Social Work at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru. She has previously worked as a Research and Teaching Assistant with the Department of Sociology and Social Work and served as the Coordinator, Mentor, and Trainer at the Centre for Academic and Professional Support (CAPS) at CHRIST (Deemed to be University). She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology (Hons) from Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, a Master's Degree in Social Work (Clinical and Community Practice), and an MPhil in Social Work from CHRIST (Deemed to be University). Additionally, she has qualified for the UGC NET in Social Work. Christina has presented papers at conferences, published articles in various journals, authored books, and holds two world records for mass participation.

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