Your Teenager's Low Self-Esteem |
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Written by controlanxiety.org
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On one hand, your teenager's low self-esteem can be quite normal for youth at this age. On the other hand, low self-esteem can put your teenager in danger if he or she does not learn ways to deal with it. So as a parent, it is critical that you learn to spot some of the warning signs and have at your disposal ways to help your teenager turn his or her self-esteem around.
Probably the most serious problem of low self-esteem in a teenager is succumbing to peer pressure. That's because a teenager with low self-esteem wants acceptance and will take actions to win it and protect it. Usually, teenagers with low self-esteem will not follow other kids who are the best influences for them. That's because those who are bad influences typically can only influence those with esteem problems. This is where it is very important that you as a parent know who your teenager's friends are. Don't just become familiar with their names. Have your teenager introduce his or her friends to you.
The emotional roller coaster that a teenager goes through complicates low self-esteem issues. This means that a teenager can have low self-esteem one day and quickly shift to a high state of esteem and make over-optimistic poor decisions. It is almost like bipolar disorder. As a parent, you should also be aware of emotional roller coasters so that you can intervene before your teenager makes poor decisions without careful thought.
Be aware of any surprise changes in the appearance of your teenager. One of the classic symptoms of low self-esteem is when a person loses interest in his or her personal appearance. Young people tend to go with fads and so something that looks extreme may be what all his or her other friends are wearing. Where you as a parent should be concerned is when your young person gives up on his or her appearance and doesn't even follow the fads of friends. His or her low self-esteem is causing isolationist behaviors in appearance and dress and could be an indication of depression.
It is also normal to hear teenagers talk negatively of their own selves. However this type of talk should not occur each and every day. Again, your teenager is going through an emotional roller coaster so you should see good days and bad days. When you should be concerned is when your teenager never snaps out of it and every day you hear self insults from him or her. This could also lead to serious depression and put your child at a risk for suicide. Parenting can be very difficult during this time in your child's life. This is why you need to have as much availability as possible. Always make your young person feel that he or she is welcome in your presence. If you have to take anything away from your young person then make sure you replace it with a substitute. Don't over-criticize and make sure that you don't nag your child as to what you want. Don't hold grudges when your young person makes mistakes and show some affection. All this goes a long way in improving your young person's self-esteem. |
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