Signs Of A Toxic Teenager: Identifying Adolescent Mental Health Challenges

Teens undergo numerous changes as they approach adulthood, many of which influence their mood, actions, and overall attitude. In some cases, the stressors of adolescence and other factors may lead to behavioral challenges that can negatively affect a teen’s health, relationships, and academic life. Toxic behavior may manifest in various ways, from manipulation and deceit to verbal abuse and outbursts of anger. Below, we’re discussing toxic behavior in teens—its sources, effects, and signs—as well as solutions for addressing it.  

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What does it mean to show toxic behavior?

Toxic behavior can refer to a range of different actions and attitudes that are marked by negativity, instability, hostility, and/or deception. People whose behaviors are described as toxic may be aggressive, dismissive, threatening, or controlling. They might frequently belittle, threaten, or physically confront other people. Toxic behavior can arise in various contexts, potentially occurring at school, in relationships, at home, or in the workplace. 

As societal norms continue to change, behavior that was once considered acceptable or even encouraged may now be more widely recognized as harmful. This has led many people to apply the toxic label to attitudes or actions that are no longer considered appropriate. For example, toxic masculinity refers to the strict adherence to binary gender norms that emphasize aggressiveness, recklessness, emotional suppression, etc.

Causes of toxic behavior in teens

A teen may struggle with behavioral challenges for several reasons. Mental health concerns and various environmental factors are two examples that can lead to manipulative behavior, hostility, and deception. 

Mental health challenges

Teens exhibiting toxic behavior may be living with various psychological concerns. Untreated mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder could be at the root of negative attitudes. Traumatic experiences may also cause an individual to struggle to exhibit healthy behaviors. Emotional distress can affect a teen’s mood, thought processes, and ability to care for themselves. 

Personality disorders are also common causes of toxic behavior, and their symptoms often begin to manifest in late adolescence. A teenager who is living with antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, or a similar condition may struggle to relate to others in healthy ways. For example, individuals with antisocial personality disorder may have a reduced capacity for empathy, leading them to behave negatively toward other people. 

If you believe your child is exhibiting manipulative child behavior symptoms due to a mental health concern, consider consulting with a medical or mental health professional. A healthcare provider can conduct a mental health evaluation and determine whether further testing, a diagnosis, and treatment may be necessary. 

Life changes and other stressors that are common in teens

In addition to challenges related to mental health, issues with everyday life can contribute to a teen’s behavior. Physical illness, academic pressure, interpersonal conflict, and a variety of other concerns may influence how a teen behaves. Teenagers also typically experience a host of physical changes, including growing bodies and an influx of hormones, which can be difficult to navigate. 

Teenagers usually take on new responsibilities as they near adulthood too, which can be stressful. They may be entering the workforce, managing money for the first time, applying for college, and taking control of their schoolwork. Pressure to succeed academically is a significant stressor for many teens. Adolescents often begin gaining independence from their parents as well, which can lead to complicated family dynamics. 

Learned behavior from parents, friends, and society

People who have been exposed to negative behavior may be more likely to engage in it themselves. Teens may adopt the same outlook and approach to life that their friends or family members have. For example, adolescents who are exposed to frequent arguments or hostility at home might exhibit that same toxic behavior when interacting with people at school. 

Additionally, teenagers often imitate certain behaviors that they’re exposed to through social media, the internet, movies, or video games. Some research shows that teens in early adolescence who have become desensitized to violence may be more likely to engage in violence later in life. This suggests that societal forces can play a significant role in toxic teen behavior. 

Signs of a toxic teenager

Because some forms of toxic behavior are subtle (e.g., passive-aggression), they can be difficult to identify at times. Recognizing how your teen’s behavioral challenges may manifest can help you begin addressing them. The following are just a few possible signs of a toxic teenager:

• Emotional manipulation: A teen may try to control others through threats (e.g., emotional blackmail), deceit, or appeals to emotion (e.g., guilt tripping). 
• Stonewalling: An adolescent might completely ignore attempts at communication by giving the silent treatment, averting their eyes, or simply leaving.  
• Aggression: A teenager may become hostile, confrontational, or violent. 
• Passive-aggression: A teen might indirectly express their negative emotions (e.g., purposely not completing homework). 

How to respond to toxic behavior

If you’ve identified signs of toxic behavior in your teen, you may be wondering how to help them develop a positive mindset and interact with others in more constructive ways. There are several approaches parents might take when aiming to help their teens alter toxic behavior. 

You might start by ensuring your teenager knows that you’re available to listen if they need to talk. Stressors at school or other obstacles may be the source of your teen’s behavioral concerns. If they are provided an outlet for their feelings about these life challenges, they may be able to channel their negativity instead of letting it out in unhelpful ways.  

Establishing and consistently enforcing boundaries is another way of addressing manipulative behavior. Your teen may be better able to make the necessary changes when they know what is expected of them—and when they understand the consequences of failing to meet those expectations. Ensure you’ve explained the reasoning behind these boundaries, which might help them set boundaries in other relationships.

You can also try to think about ways in which you may be affecting your teen’s actions. If you’re living with untreated mental health challenges, your teenager’s mood may also be impacted. One way of aiming to more positively influence your child’s behavior is by participating in therapy or otherwise utilizing mental health services. 

Mental health care for the underlying causes of toxicity 

As discussed above, mental health concerns can be primary contributors to unhealthy habits and attitudes in teens. Because of this connection, teenagers who are struggling with unhealthy behavioral patterns may benefit from therapy, lifestyle changes, and other approaches. 

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy may help teens address symptoms of any underlying mental health conditions, process their emotions, and learn how to develop healthy behaviors. One common form of therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is often used to help teens achieve these goals. CBT focuses on the connections between an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. Using CBT principles, a therapist can help a teen understand how negative thought patterns may influence their behaviors. 

For example, a therapist may help an adolescent understand that the irrational belief that other people are purposely failing them is contributing to feelings of anger and, in turn, unhealthy interactions. By reframing this thought process, a teen may be able to shift these maladaptive emotions and behaviors. 

Medication

Mental health treatment for certain behavioral challenges may involve various types of medication, typically in combination with talk therapy. If an individual is living with depression or anxiety, medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be prescribed. People with antisocial personality disorder or a similar condition may be prescribed mood stabilizers, which might limit impulsivity or hostility. Always consult with a healthcare professional prior to starting, stopping, or changing any medication. 

Lifestyle changes

Self-care practices like regular exercise, deep breathing, and a consistent sleep routine can often help reduce stress and improve mood. In turn, these may lead to healthier interpersonal behaviors in a teen struggling with toxicity. 

How online therapy can help teens and parents

If your teen is showing behavioral challenges, it can take a toll on your mental health as a parent or caregiver. Therapy can be a useful tool for processing and learning to better cope with stressors, but it’s not always easy to attend due to scheduling or transportation issues. Parents who are already busy raising teens may benefit from the convenience and cost-efficiency of online therapy, since it allows you to attend virtual sessions from anywhere you have wi-fi and is typically more affordable than in-person care without insurance. A mental health professional may help you address toxic behavior in your teen and foster a healthier parent-child relationship. 

Addressing the signs of a toxic teenager in online therapy

With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can receive support remotely, through video call, voice call, or in-app messaging. There’s no commuting required and sessions can take place at times that suit your schedule.

Seeking support as you address behavioral concerns in your teen?

Connect with a licensed therapist online

The effectiveness of mental health care through online therapy

Studies indicate that online therapy may help parents address behavioral challenges in their adolescent children. For instance, in a meta-analysis that included 15 studies and over 1,500 total participants, researchers suggest that online parenting interventions can be “effective in reducing children's behavior problems.” They also indicate that online therapy may lead to positive outcomes for caregivers, including improvements in parenting behavior, distress levels, and efficacy.

Takeaway

It isn’t always easy to tell when a teen is displaying toxicity, especially because adolescents typically undergo normal changes in attitude, behavior, and mood. Knowing how to identify the signs of toxic behavior may help caregivers assist their teens in navigating the world in a healthier, more productive manner. If you’re a parent seeking support and guidance while raising a teen, you might consider seeking online or in-person therapy. With the right help, you may be able to ensure both you and your teenager are on the path to mental and emotional wellness.