HYDERABAD: Acts like getting into quarrels with siblings or fellow students at school, disobedience, telling lies, throwing objects, hiding daily activities from parents, verbal abuse _ either one or more of these qualities are displayed by some teenagers during their adolescent years.
Though these qualities might appear as normal and negligible on the surface, they are manifestation of a deeper problem called aggressive and violent behaviour in adolescents. Unfortunately, such type of behaviour is increasing among adolescents today, says Dr N Krishnaveni, psychologist at Yuva Counselling Centre, Niloufer Hospitals.
At least, five to ten such adolescents are being counselled at Yuva Centre daily and psychologists opine that there is widespread ignorance among parents about the problem, leading to further complexities.
Aggressive behaviour is caused by factors like hormonal imbalances, emotional imbalances, stress, lack of attention from parents and societal influences. Either overly disciplined parenting or highly lenient parenting is also a cause of aggressive behaviour in adolescents.
When encountered with aggressive or violent behaviour, parents try to control adolescents which will aggravate the problem further. The only way aggressive behaviour in adolescents can be treated is by lending an empathetic ear and finding the exact causes. Family members play a major role in treating the aggressive behaviour of adolescents, explains Krishnaveni.
Psychologists stress the need for spotting the aggressive behaviour signs early and addressing them because, if neglected, it may lead to violent behaviour like causing self-injury or inuring others. Besides, relationships will get affected and scholastic performance of the adolescents will suffer.
Parents bring their adolescent for counselling only when it becomes highly difficult to handle. Psychologists conduct counselling for the whole family as family members play a major role in bringing an adolescent out of aggressive behaviour. In most of the cases it can be treated with counselling. When counselling is not sufficient, they will be referred to psychiatrist and will be given medication, explains Dr A.Sriram Charan, medical officer at Yuva.
Major causes
■ Hormonal or emotional imbalances
■ Stress
■ Lack of attention from parents
■ Overly disciplined or highly lenient parenting
■ Societal influences
■ Attention-seeking trait