5 Ways Your Teen’s Brain Differs From Yours
Our brains never stop developing. Decades ago, it was commonly thought that after a certain age, your brain not only stopped growing—but also stopped maturing altogether! Now, we know that the brain does stop growing in terms of its physical size. A girl’s brain will stop increasing in size at around 11 years old. The age of 14 is generally when a boy’s brain will stop growing. However, neither of these means that one gender is smarter or more mature than the other.
What we can say, though, is that the teen brain is very different than an adult brain. Here are just five of the ways your teenager’s brain is different than yours.
1. Teen Brains Are More Susceptible To Stress
And because of that, they respond to stress differently, too! When you become an adult or have teenagers yourself, it’s easy to forget how overwhelming being a teenager can truly be. Why does it seem as if teenagers become easily overwhelmed?
Since their brains are still developing, teenagers do not have the emotional regulations we learn as we grow older. Because of this, a teenager will more likely become stressed out easily over homework or being asked to help with different things around the house. This leads us to our next point.
2. Mood Disorders Commonly Begin Appearing In The Teen Years
Anyone at any age can develop a mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression. However, we can commonly trace many symptoms and signs of mood disorders to the teenage years. It’s just that when we are in the teen years, it’s called “angst” or “moodiness” and isn’t something commonly referred to as anxiety or depression.
Again, a lot of this is because of the massive changes in development that happen during adolescence. Even though the brain has stopped growing in size, it is still developing. Coupled with the physical, social, and emotional changes that rapidly occur during these years, it’s no wonder being a teenager can feel so rough at times!
3. Developing Brains = A Need For Sleep
Why does my teen sleep so much? How can they be so tired? They don’t have any real stress going on like I do.
Research suggests that teens need close to 9 to 10 hours of sleep. As adults, that can be hard to imagine, although we all wish we could sleep that much! Our brains do a lot of healing, processing, and development during our sleep cycles. These extra amounts of sleep time are crucial for teens’ developing brains.
4. The Brain Learns Crucial Coping Skills During This Time
It may not always seem like it, but your teenager really is learning something. Especially their brain! Teenagers are constantly being stimulated by new experiences and ideas. As new situations are thrown at them, they learn how to handle things, even if they don’t always get it right the first time. This is the perfect learning environment for teenagers, and they will carry these skills into adulthood.
5. Teens And Emotions Are Messy
It’s more than just being moody or angsty during the teenage years. With so much happening around them and to them that they haven’t experienced, it’s no wonder they feel overwhelmed. As adults, it’s easy for us to forget all of the challenges that come with being a teenager and trying to make our way in the world. You’re at an awkward stage of not being a child and not an adult. It can be messy and confusing. As adults, we know (for the most part) how to regulate our emotions and thoughts, so they don’t begin to feel out of control. Remember that your teen is still growing and doesn’t have these life skills developed quite just yet.
If you are worried that your teen is going through something more serious, please contact me for help with teen therapy or anxiety treatment. I can help both you and them navigate these waters.
