What is going on in my Teens Brain?
Are you curious about what's happening in your teenager's brain? Here are a few examples of what's going on in their brains during this stage of development.
What is going on with my Teens Brain?
One of the last areas of the brain to develop is the Prefrontal cortex. Its job is to: make judgments, plan, and make reasonable/sound judgments.
The prefrontal cortex will not be fully developed until teens hit young adults.
A teen's brain responds differently to stress.
(Because of the hormones being produced and distributed across the brain.)
Teens need plenty of sleep.
The hormone that produces sleep for teens is distributed at different times than adults' sleep hormones. That is why teens may stay up late and be tired in the morning because of the hormones that are being released.
The brain is growing and solidifying in certain areas. That is why teens need a good night's rest so the body and brain can recover and be fully regulated for the next day.
Mental illness may start to appear.
As the brain grows, this time can also have you notice the teen experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental illness. Know what appears in the family and be observant/ ask your teen questions during this time.
Please note that it is perfectly normal if your teen doesn’t want to interact or hang out like they used too.
Tips for Parents
Your teen is trying to find who they are/their place in the world. Give them grace. I am sure you can think of times when you were a teen when you did some questionable things. Make sure when your teen is opening up to you to listen and not try to direct them into doing what you think is best for them. Use empathy and “I” statements and really listen to what your teen is telling you. Appreciate the moments you all have together and recognize that your teen is turning into an amazing adult!
References
Konrad, K., Firk, C., & Uhlhaas, P. J. (2013, June). Brain development during adolescence: Neuroscientific Insights into this developmental period. Deutsches Arzteblatt international. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705203/
Uematsu, A., Matsui, M., Tanaka, C., Takahashi, T., Noguchi, K., Suzuki, M., & Nishijo, H. (2012). Developmental trajectories of amygdala and hippocampus from infancy to early adulthood in healthy individuals. PloS one.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). The Teen Brain: 7 things to know. National Institute of Mental Health.
