The Ups and Downs of Teenage Life

The Ups and Downs of Teenage Life

Preoccupation with Self - Teens are intensely involved with themselves. The involvement may be narcissistic but may also be coupled with self-doubt and crises of self-identity. They may seem (and probably are) more interested in how their hair looks, if what they are wearing is acceptable to peers than about a national crisis or the misfortune of a friend.

Preooccupation with Fantasy - Because a teen has intense drives and feelings, fantasies provide a means for controlling these drives as well as providing some degree of gratification. Fantasy allows teens to play out sexual desires, intensity of emotions, and life choices in career, family, or home.

Preoccupation with the Need for Self-Expression - The teen is struggling during this time to establish independence from parents and to develop a sense of identity. Not only does a teen want to be accepted and liked by peers (hence, having to wear what everyone else is wearing), but they also want a certain amount of uniqueness (i.e., dying their hair purple or piercing their nose).

Preoccupation with Sexuality - The teen is extremely interested in sexual matters with relationships often being over-idealized.

Preoccupation with deals - Teens often seek the "absolute truth" and "ultimate reality". Because the teen is developing his/her own values and beliefs, s/he may be quick to strongly reject the ideals held by those in authority.

Heonism and/or Asceticism - Because the drives the teen feels are very intense, s/he has no choice but to react. As a result, the teen's responses are often extreme. The teen might show hedonism (fully following instinctual gratification at risk or cost) or Asceticism (fully renouncing a drive out of fear or guilt).

Conformism - As a part of the struggle for independence, the teen often shifts his/her identity patterns from the parents to a chosen peer group. This switch can be seen in how the teen dresses, acts, and who and what s/he shows interests in.

Heightened Sensitivity - A teen experiences life intensely and passionately, sometimes overreacting. Minor concerns become major concerns.

Mood Swings - Emotions are unstable. Reactions of joy and sadness may occur simultaneously. Shifts between emotions are often quick and unpredictable.

Propensity to Act Out - Teens are often impulsive and rebellious. In some extreme cases, delinquency and other antisocial behavior occurs.

Inhibition of Behavior - Periods of social withdrawal and inhibition are common.