At-Risk Behaviors in Troubled Teen Boys

Every year, countless youth across the country are living in detention facilities. Some of these are for juveniles but an alarming number are in actual jails and even maximum security prisons. Teenagers are being tried and imprisoned right beside adults and the costs are dire. Even those who are sent to juvenile detention facilities are seeing some serious impacts. Investigations have found that teenagers who are sent to these facilities are more likely to one day end up in jail. It is the first step in a long line of legal troubles.

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That isn’t the only concern that teenagers are facing. According to statistics, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the US. But for those under the age of 21, it is actually the second leading cause of death. It shows a crisis in the United States that isn’t being properly addressed, one that could be life-threatening to the country’s children. Male youth are especially impacted by the above issues and can see their lives drain away in an instant due to a single mistake. Intervention, when we see the warning signs, is the only way forward, to keep them safe from harm and ensure a positive future ahead. Here are some at-risk behaviors in common issues to keep an eye out for.

Depression

Depression may be the most common issues facing teenagers today, with one in every five teens having faced at least one major depressive episode in their life. There can be a great deal of overlap between depression and other issues as well, including those on this list. When a teen is depressed they can lash out and even take greater risks with their lives and health. Signs of depression in teens include:

Signs of apathy, just not caring
Sudden bouts of crying
Angry outbursts
Changes in sleeping patterns
Changes in appetite
Reckless behavior
Lack of interest in former hobbies
Isolation from family and friends
Signs of self-harm
Self-defeating or self-insulting language
Suicidal ideation

Any combination of these symptoms can be a sign of serious depression. Depression is a major risk factor for teenager boys acting out. The sooner it is caught and treated, the better.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders can be difficult to classify in teens due to their similarity in many symptoms to depression. Indeed, depression itself is one of the signs of a mood disorder. The difference is that a teenager with a mood disorder, such as Bipolar Disorder, will cycle from depression to mania. Signs of mania include:

Sudden bouts of energy
Lack of sleep
Lack of or increase in appetite
Increase in risk-taking behavior
Euphoria
A sensation of feeling “wired”
Intense irritability
A sense of being invincible
Drop in grades
Lack of focus or concentration

During a manic phase, teens are much more likely to act out sexually, experiment with drugs, see a drop in their academic performance, put strain on relationships and take part in other high-risk behaviors that can have serious consequences for their life.

Other Mental Illness

There is no single list of symptoms of a mental illness. Each one is unique and has its own classification, with its own signifiers doctors use to recognize it. But you may have noticed some worrying trends in your child’s behavior and they may have included the following:

Disconnection with reality
Belief that people are out to get them
Irrational anger
Constant fear or anxiety
Isolation and refusal to leave the house
Avoiding things once enjoyed
Strange sudden change in beliefs
Claims of hearing voices
Losing time
Physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomach aches or frequent muscle pains
General erratic behavior

Many prisons are filled with mentally ill prisoners whose condition played a part in their incarceration. Your son could be faced with a similar issue without professional help dealing with the onset of their mental illness.

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is a serious problem among teens today. The teen brain is not developed completely. The matter is still sensitive and can be impacted forever by choices made during the developing years. Drug and alcohol use may lead to addiction later in life or damage the brain itself.

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A total of 33% of seniors in high school admit to using alcohol and binge drinking. That is only the figure of self-reported users, meaning the actual number is almost certainly higher. That same demographic is familiar with and claim access to opiates, such as prescription painkillers. Studies have shown that they are more likely to mix them with other drugs, increasing their risk of overdose. Signs of substance abuse include:

Repeated truancy
Drop in academic performance
Change in friends
Isolation from family or former friends
Secretive behavior
Missing items or money
Strange behavior and acting intoxicated

Personality Disorders and Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Personality disorders are a major concern for many parents who have troubled teens. These disorders are rare and hard to diagnose in children and teens given the overlap of symptoms with other conditions. The exception is usually Oppositional Defiant Disorder, a condition that is more frequently diagnosed in children of a younger age. ODD symptoms include:

Refusal to respect authority
Extreme expressions of anger
“Flying off the handle” at nothing
Spiteful or vindictive behavior
Petty behavior
Attempts to deliberately upset others
Violent outbursts
Blames others for their shortcoming or behavior, even when caught

Finding Help For Your Teen

Whatever struggles your teen may be facing, there is help available for them. Extensive therapy, specialized programs like therapeutic boarding schools and residential treatment centers are all viable options for moderate to severe cases. Each option provides monitoring by professionals who are well trained in handling your teen’s behavior.

Getting your child help is critical to keep them from going down a path of no return. The world today is full of dangers for young people who struggle with behavior. You can help them, as a parent, to overcome each one of their demons and turn a new leaf. Find out more at Liahona Academy.