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Hidden Struggles at School, in Sports, or Social Circles:

• Teens may be facing challenges in their social or academic lives that they’re not ready to share with parents. These struggles can create feelings of frustration and helplessness that surface as anger at home.

• In therapy, we can provide a safe space for teens to open up about these issues, and we also work with parents in family sessions to improve communication. Identifying unintentional communication barriers can make a significant difference in helping your teen express their emotions constructively.

Underlying Mental Health Issues:

• Sometimes, anger is a symptom of deeper mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD. These conditions may go unnoticed by parents until the teen’s emotions begin to boil over.

• For example, undiagnosed ADHD can lead to feelings of shame and frustration. A teen who struggles to focus in school might feel embarrassed about poor performance and lash out at home when offered help. Anger often becomes a way to mask more vulnerable emotions, such as fear or shame.

• We work individually with teens to identify and address these underlying issues, helping them gain insight and healthier ways to cope.

Concerns About Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD):

• Parents often call us concerned that their child’s anger might be ODD. While this is a possibility, it’s also common for undiagnosed conditions like anxiety or ADHD to mimic the symptoms of ODD. Additionally, a teen’s anger may be a reflection of family dynamics or unresolved issues within the household.

• Through therapy, we work with both teens and parents to trace these behaviors back to their origin and develop strategies for resolution. Parent support sessions are an essential part of this process, as they help families build understanding and trust.