How Teen Brains Are Different
The teenage years are a whirlwind for both parents and teenagers. These are the years when teens must navigate bodily changes, academic pressures, emotional shifts, impulsive decision-making, and social dynamics. What makes these things even harder is that a teenager’s brain isn’t fully developed yet. This can make it more challenging for them to regulate their emotions and make informed decisions.
Taking the time to learn more about the neurological differences in a teen’s brain can help to build effective communication and foster a greater sense of empathy between teens and the adults in their lives. Let’s learn more about how teen brains are different.
The Prefrontal Cortex
The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that is responsible for planning, judgment, impulse control, and long-term thinking. Unfortunatley for teenagers, this is one of the last areas of the brain to fully mature.
During the teen years, this portion of the brain is still working to wire itself, which helps to explain why teens are more likely to act impulsively, struggle with planning ahead, and take risks without considering the consequences.
The Limbic System
The limbic system, or the portion of the brain that helps to govern emotions and behavior, is extremely active during adolescence. The imbalance between the emotional brain and the rational brain can lead to teens feeling things more intensely and prioritizing short-term rewards over long-term outcomes. This change in the limbic system helps to explain teens’ mood swings and their extreme sensitivity to peer acceptance and rejection.
Peer Pressure
Teens are more likely to experience an increased sensitivity to peer pressure and influence. This is because the brain is tuned for social connection, so approval from peers can be extremely powerful.
Teen brains release more dopamine, the feel-good chemical, in response to receiving social validation. This means that peer feedback, especially positive feedback, can be extremely rewarding and also highly influential.
Risk-Taking
Teenagers are also more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors, such as driving recklessly, using drugs, or breaking rules that their primary caregivers set out for them. While parents may believe that this is just their teens being rebellious, it actually extends beyond this. A teen’s brain craves this type of stimulation, and the reward system is primed to chase new experiences.
Sleeping Problems
Sleep is extremely important, even more so during the teen years when the brain is still developing. Unfortunately, this development can also impact their sleep and circadian rhythm. It can cause teens to feel more alert at night, which can cause them to sleep later in the day. This biological change can clash with when they need to get up for school, which can lead to sleep deprivation and trouble focusing.
Learning and Adaptability
Despite the challenges that come with having a teen brain, learning and adaptability are at their peak. The brain is incredibly flexible at this stage of life, which makes it better at adapting to new information. The teen years are prime for learning, shaping one’s identity, and building skills.
How to Support Teens
Teenagers have to navigate life with still-developing brains. This can lead to unpredictable behavior, but it also provides them with an amazing opportunity for creativity, growth, and transformation, especially when they have the right support.
Taking the time to better understand how teen brains work is a great first step that parents, caregivers, and educators can take to support the teens in their lives. Therapy for teens and adolescents is another invaluable tool that can help teens make the most of their stage of life. Reach out today to learn more and get started.
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