Why Does My Troubled Teen Struggle to do Anything?

Has your once helpful child turned into a teen who seems unmotivated to do anything around the house? Does he now also struggle to keep up with schoolwork, social engagements, and anything that requires a bit of effort? The cliché surrounding lazy teens is not always just an exaggeration. Some parents find it nearly impossible to motivate their teens to do much of anything.

Before you write your teenager off as being simply lazy, it may be time to consider whether there’s something else going on with him. It’s also worth considering that if he appears to have plenty of motivation to play video games and do the things he’s interested in, it may not be that he’s lazy. He’s just not motivated to do what you want him to do.

Could there be something else going on?

While it is expected for teens to be unmotivated to focus on things they don’t like, it’s not considered normal for teens to have a complete lack of motivation to do anything.

There are a few things that could be contributing to seeing a decrease in energy and motivation in your teen. One of the significant symptoms of depression is a loss of energy, fatigue, and losing interest in things that once were interesting or fun.
Other concerns may be responsible for your teen’s lack of motivation, including the following.

• Stress levels, including school, friendships, and home stress.
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Struggling with trauma, perhaps due to prior abuse or losing a loved one.
• Alcohol or substance abuse and addiction.

Your teen may struggle to find the motivation to do many things, particularly if they don’t interest him. Before you dismiss his lack of motivation as being lazy, have a conversation with him to see if you can work out what’s going on.

Getting your teen motivated and involved

It can be wildly frustrating to see your teen acting unmotivated and lazy. How can you change things around so that he’s engaged and involved?

• Don’t be critical when you’re talking to him. It could be easy to accuse your teen of laziness and find yourself arguing with him. This won’t help your relationship with your teen and doesn’t help to motivate him to do anything.
• Work with your teen to identify areas of stress you can help with. If he’s struggling with school, a meeting with his teachers and school counselors could help create a plan to get and keep him back on track. Stress can be one of the major factors leading to a child or teen’s lack of motivation. The more you reduce it, the better he’ll be able to cope.
• Therapy can be a good starting point for a teen struggling with mental health. If substance abuse is a concern, therapy can also be an excellent place to start getting your teen the help he needs.
• Learn what does seem to motivate him. If your teen enjoys watching sports or playing a particular video game, this is a great place to begin rebuilding his interest and motivation in other areas of his life.

Stay positive and upbeat when speaking with your teen. Your positive attitude will go a long way towards helping to foster his own sense of positivity as he starts to engage again with his life and the people around him.

If your teen needs more help

It could be that your teen isn’t responding to the types of help that you’re trying while he’s living at home. If the problems he’s struggling with are based at school or even at home, it will be challenging for him to find his way to healing. You may even start seeing your teen become more unmotivated and unwilling to change his behaviors.

Outpatient therapy is successful for many children, teens, and adults. For some, an inpatient setting, such as a residential treatment center, can be the better option.

At Liahona Academy, we offer the treatments that troubled teens need to reach a brighter future. By addressing the underlying issues that may be contributing to your teen's struggles, we can help him find his way back to mental wellness, stability, and the motivation he’s lost.