Adolescence is a time that is often remembered as being tough, and it can be either the best or worst period in someone’s life. However, it is even more difficult to live with a teenager. Suddenly, a happy and energetic child transforms into an emotionally intense and defiant pre-teen. The PBS Frontline documentary “Inside the Teenage Brain” explores some of the mysterious aspects of how teenage brains function. Despite already being incredibly complex, the brain appears to become even more intricate during adolescence.
During adolescence, teenagers frequently go through heightened moodiness and behavioral changes, which have attracted the attention of both researchers and adults. Thankfully, advancements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology have provided scientists with valuable insights into the teenage brain. Dr. Jay Giedd from the National Institute of Mental Health utilizes MRI scans to study children’s brain structures, offering a groundbreaking approach to understanding adolescent brain development.
Dr. Giedd can now investigate the increasing activity of the human brain, as scientists have determined that it primarily develops in two stages: during prenatal development until 18 months after birth and during puberty. Throughout these stages, a significant amount of brain cells are generated and growth occurs rapidly. Dr. Giedd states that they were aware of this process occurring during the prenatal stage or potentially within the first 18 months after birth, but it was only when they began scanning children’s brains every two years that they observed a second wave of excessive production. He further explains how this second stage of intense brain development is considered “the most tumultuous time for brain development.”
By utilizing MRI technology, scientists have acquired knowledge regarding the development of the teenage brain and gained insight into comprehending and parenting teenagers. To truly understand teenagers, both scientists and parents must first grasp the processes taking place in their brains during this stage. It is essential for parents to recognize that the teen phase continues to be a crucial aspect of childhood development.
However, despite this fact, teenagers are still prone to experiencing instances of anger and frustration. As previously stated, the brain goes through two developmental phases: growth spurts and pruning. Within these phases, the frontal cortex situated behind the forehead thickens and grows at a fast pace. This specific area of the brain plays a crucial role in determining behavior, decision-making abilities, and strategic thinking. The process of pruning that occurs in the frontal cortex is widely recognized as puberty.
During puberty, teenagers experience a phase that can last for one to two years, resembling infancy in terms of brain development. Scientists believe that the frontal cortex, which matures during this period, follows the principle of “use it or lose it.” As a result, teenagers need to engage in academic and/or physical activities to make use of their newly developed brain cells; otherwise, they may lose them. Teenagers commonly exhibit mood swings and impaired decision-making abilities.
Adults often view teenagers as carefree individuals and struggle to handle their unpredictable emotions. However, it is important for adults to understand that these mysterious behaviors can be linked to the changes in the frontal cortex during puberty. The thickening of this brain region enables teenagers to improve their decision-making skills and emotional regulation. Dr. Deborah Yurgelum-Todd’s research suggests that teenagers utilize a unique area in their brain specifically dedicated to understanding emotions, differentiating them from adults.
Moreover, adolescents have a greater level of brain activity in the response region compared to adults. Consequently, there is inadequate emotional communication between adults and teenagers due to teenagers misinterpreting adult emotions. This often leads to the commonly heard phrase from teenagers, “You simply don’t comprehend me!”
When your child is becoming a teenager, you may observe certain characteristics. One notable change is how challenging it becomes to wake them up for school in the morning. Teenagers tend to prioritize sleep and can be quite resistant to getting up.
Teenagers are going through this phenomenon due to exerting all their energy in order to keep up with their peers and learn the duties of adulthood. Sleep serves as a coping mechanism for dealing with these challenging and tiring tasks. Dr. Mary Carskadon from Brown University has conducted research revealing that teenagers have sleep patterns similar to those who have sleep disorders. It is essential for teenagers to get a minimum of 9 ½ hours of sleep each night in order to function effectively.
The amount of sleep an individual receives has an impact on their performance the following day. It is important to acknowledge that our parents were correct about the significance of obtaining sufficient rest during nighttime when we were children. Sleep not only affects the transition from childhood to adolescence but also contributes to their erratic behavioral changes. As teenagers, emotions seem uncontrollable for them as they can rapidly shift from contentment to anger. Teenagers actively pursue excitement and consistently desire new experiences. The attitude of teenage children often surprises parents.
Teenagers often display extremely negative attitudes, often directing their outbursts of anger towards their parents. The things they say can be shocking to both parents and teens alike. The sudden change in behavior leaves both parties bewildered and searching for understanding. Many parents of teenagers find themselves asking, “How can I manage this sudden and inexplicable behavior?” The explanations given by scientists astonish parents.
The advice from scientists to parents is the same as that from our grandmothers: the best way to navigate your child’s teenage years is by giving them plenty of love and attention. This may seem unlikely, as it goes against what most teens appear to want. While they may protest and claim they want to be left alone, the truth is that they desire time with their parents. So, in summary: take a breath and continue to strive for a connection with your teenager. It may sound absurd, but the reality is that they crave your time as much as you desire theirs.
I was captivated and able to relate to Frontline's “Inside the Teenage Brain” due to personal experiences. As a teenager myself, I have improved at managing my emotions compared to middle school. Nevertheless, there are still instances where I become upset without reason. The transition from adolescence to adulthood presents ongoing challenges for teenagers, just like those portrayed in the program. Similarly, my parents and I are currently facing difficulties in our separation process. As I will soon graduate from high school and embark on college life this coming fall, my parents struggle with granting me independence.
At this point, I am prepared to be independent, but I also want to make the most of my teenage years before fully embracing adulthood. Moreover, I have recently encountered all of the aforementioned changes. There are moments when all I crave is rest as it feels like I am constantly lacking sleep. Thankfully, I am gradually leaving behind the peculiar actions and gaining control over my emotions – well, most of the time, at least.
My parents have successfully raised one teenage girl with two more to go. It can be said with certainty that when my youngest sister reaches her teenage years, they will have become experts.
