The teenage years can seem tumultuous after the relative calm and less turbulent period of middle childhood (ages 6-11 years) – the calm before the storm! During adolescence, the restructuring of the teenage brain is a critical process that significantly affects emotional control. This can result in unpredictable and intense emotions, and impulsive behaviour. It is no wonder that it is common for parents to feel challenged in their competency, when living with a teen facing these challenges. They can often find they are in conflict with their child, or there is a constant state of tension or misunderstanding between them.  Parents may also fear that their influence, as parents, is diminishing. Understanding that their children’s behaviours are in large part, due to the changes in the architecture of the adolescent brain, can help parents see their teenager’s behaviour in a different (and more hopeful) light, and give them the strength to work with the child, knowing that this time will pass (honestly!). 

So what do we mean by restructuring of the brain, and why does this affect our teenagers mood and behaviour? Take a look at some of the key changes that occur in the teenage brain:

1. Limbic System and Prefrontal Cortex Changes:  Restructuring primarily occurs in the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala, and other regions responsible for emotional processing and regulation.

The limbic system, is involved in processing emotions and reward responses, and undergoes heightened activity during adolescence.  This surge in amygdala activity can result in intense emotional reactivity, sensitivity, and impulsive reactions, as teenagers struggle to regulate their emotions effectively.

The prefrontal cortex, is located at the front of the brain and plays a crucial role in cognitive and emotional control, and is responsible for executive functions such as decision-making, impulse control, reasoning, and judgment.  It undergoes extensive development during adolescence, but matures more slowly, compared with the limbic system, particularly the amygdala. This region of the brain continues to mature well into early adulthood.

The different rates of maturation of the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, create an imbalance between a teenagers emotional reactivity and cognitive control. This explains the significant challenges in a teenager’s ability to manage their emotions effectively.

2. Synaptic Pruning: During adolescence, there is a process called synaptic pruning, where unused or unnecessary neural connections are eliminated. This pruning allows for more efficient neural networks and strengthens important connections.

3. Myelination: Myelin, a fatty substance that wraps around nerve fibres, increases during adolescence. This myelination process improves the efficiency of communication between different areas of the brain.

4. Dopamine System Development: The brain's dopamine system, which plays a role in motivation, reward, and pleasure, undergoes changes during adolescence. This system becomes more sensitive, which can influence risk-taking behavior and the pursuit of novel experiences.

5. Increased Connectivity: There is an increase in connectivity between different regions of the brain during adolescence. This enhanced connectivity allows for more complex thinking, reasoning, and integration of information from various sources.

Now that’s a lot of restructuring! 

As you can see, there is a lot going on, and teenagers really need the adults in their lives to understand these changes so they can support them optimally.  Here are some of the ways you can do this: 

1. Educate yourself about adolescent brain development: Understanding the changes happening in your child's brain can help you respond to their needs more effectively. Read books, articles, or attend workshops that focus on adolescent development.  Find out as much as you can, of the current understanding of brain development, and don’t fall into the trap of thinking their behaviour is intentional, or even voluntary! Understanding these neural changes can help us provide the necessary support, guidance, and resources to help teenagers navigate this transformative period and develop healthy emotional regulation skills, leading to improved well-being and mental health outcomes in adulthood.  Adolescence can be a really exciting time for children and parents, alike! 

2. Maintain open communication with your child and encourage them to share their thoughts, feelings and concerns:  Most importantly, be an active listener. Adolescents  are starting to see the world differently, and in more abstract and complex ways.  Because of this, they often have interesting perspectives and observations of their own, and can often be very perceptive – don’t miss out on getting a glimpse into your child’s fascinating internal world. But remember, your child won’t share this with you unless they feel the environment is safe and non-judgemental. 

3. Encourage, and model, healthy emotional and behaviour control:  As we have seen from the information above, adolescents do not have complete control of their behaviour and mood, as their brains undergo vital restructuring. However, they can be gently coached and encouraged to learn and use self-regulation skills. But remember  - they are watching you, and how you manage your own mood and behaviour, and this is a powerful source of learning for them (throughout all of childhood)!

4. Be patient and empathetic: Easier said than done! Adolescence can be a challenging and confusing time for children, and for parents too. They may experience mood swings, impulsiveness, and heightened emotions that, at times, seem to come out of nowhere. Understand that this is part of adolescence, and the changes they are experiencing in their brain, and be as patient as you can, to help them navigate this developmental phase.

5. Establish boundaries and rules: Adolescents need structure and guidance. Set clear boundaries and rules that are age-appropriate, and ensure they understand there are consequences for their actions. Consistency is very important, but  you do need to be flexible and, increasingly, open to negotiation the older your child gets, and when appropriate.

6. Help them develop healthy routines:  Adolescents still need help with routines, organisation and planning as their frontal lobes are still developing. Help your child develop systems and strategies that support the development of self-management skills.

7. Encourage healthy habits:  Attend to the basics of physical well-being, such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, sufficient sleep and time out from screens, as these can have a positive impact on psychological and emotional health. These habits can become increasingly hard to enforce the older your child gets, so realistically they should be in place well before your child reaches adolescence! 

8. Foster appropriate independence: Adolescence is a time for children to develop their sense of self and become more independent. Encourage them to take on responsibilities, make decisions, and learn from their mistakes, but be there to offer guidance and support if needed. Resist the temptation to rescue them when they slip up. Safe, natural consequences are a great way of learning!

9. Provide positive role models: Surround your child with positive influences, whether it's through family members, mentors, or community groups. These adult relationships can have a powerful impact on how your teenager sees themselves, and the world.

10. Help them develop healthy peer relationships:  Encourage your child to spend time with peers who have a positive impact on their well-being. Support them in participating in pro-social activities where they learn about relationships, friendship and team work.

11.  Encourage them to identify their values: Adolescence is the where we start to form our sense of identity, to explore who we are, who we want to be and what we value. Helping your child to identify their values, and encouraging them to use these to guide their behaviour, can be a very helpful tool, when they are faced with having to make increasingly complex choices and decisions.

12. Support their interests: Adolescents often develop new interests and passions. Encourage and support these pursuits by providing resources, and opportunities for your child to explore them. But remember – if their interests and passions seem foreign to you; see this as an opportunity to join them in their adolescent world, and you may develop some new skills of your own!

13. Seek professional help if needed: If you notice significant changes in your child's behaviour, such as extreme mood swings, withdrawal, or signs of mental health issues, don't hesitate to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor who specializes in adolescent mental health.