Have you ever looked at your teenager and wondered what in the world was going on inside their head? Teens are often known for being moody and they tend to make decisions quickly, without spending a lot of time thinking about the consequences.
There’s a reason for that.
There is actually more going on inside your teen’s head than you might think, and a lot of it is quite complicated. Understanding how the teenage brain works and how it differs from adults can make it easier to connect with your teen and empathize with their thought process.
With that in mind (no pun intended), let’s cover a few ways teen brains are different from adults.
1. They Respond Differently to Stress
Everyone responds to stress differently. Some people seem to handle it better than others. What’s important is being able to deal with it in healthy, effective ways. For teens, however, stress can be difficult to manage due to the fact that the brain is still developing.
Unfortunately, that means that too much stress in a teenager’s life could put them at a greater risk of developing anxiety or depression. While stress can’t be completely avoided, it’s important to help your teen manage it as much as possible.
2. The Prefrontal Cortex
Perhaps the biggest difference between teen and adult brains is the development of the prefrontal cortex. This is the area of the brain responsible for making healthy decisions and planning ahead.
The prefrontal cortex isn’t fully developed in the teenage brain. So, if you ever wonder why your teen makes certain decisions without thinking, that’s likely why. As they continue to get older, they’ll fine-tune their decision-making skills.
As a parent or caregiver, you can’t force the prefrontal cortex to form any faster. But you can guide your teen when it comes to making healthy decisions.
3. A Brain Ready to Learn
One of the most interesting things about the teenage brain is that it’s very able to adapt and learn. Teens tend to embrace new experiences quickly and with greater ease than adults. The more their brains are challenged throughout these years, the more mature they are likely to become.
Make sure you’re encouraging your teens to push themselves in areas they’re interested in. That might include taking challenging classes in school, or getting involved in the creative arts or music. Those are all great ways to strengthen brain circuits.
4. Resiliency
No one wants to think about their teen going through adversity. But, it happens. You can’t completely prevent every bad thing from happening. Don’t stress over it too much. Going through challenges will help your teen to mature and will make it easier for them to problem-solve as they face bigger challenges later in life.
It’s also important to note that the teenage brain is quite resilient. Changes in the brain throughout the teenage years help to support resilience and boost mental health. So, most teens who face challenges are able to adapt and move on to become mentally healthy adults.
Don’t try to shield your teen from every struggle. Help them through it as much as you can, but don’t take the reins for them. They’re more resilient than you might think, and being able to work through adversity will make them stronger.
As you can see, the teenage brain has a lot going on! When you recognize some of the differences between teen and adult brains, it’s easier to see why your teen tends to think and act a certain way. The best thing you can do is offer your support, guidance, and wisdom, and let your teen keep growing and developing in healthy, meaningful ways. Contact us for more information.
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