Common Cognitive Struggles Among Adolescents
- Egocentrism
- Imaginary Audience
- Personal Fable
- Illusion of Invulnerability
- Identity
- Depression
Understanding
Adolescents, or teenagers, often struggle with finding their identity, and the majority of the cognitive issues found in teens revolve around this central idea. World renown Psychologist Erik Erikson identified the period of adolescence as a time when young people experience a crisis between identify and role confusion. This struggle tends to drive many of their decisions. When these struggles begin we see teenagers overly concerned with their appearance and how they are perceived. Furthermore, their struggle with egocentrism, or their preoccupation with their own world, begins to cause additional issues, such as personal fable (believing their feelings are unique and not understood), or the illusion of invulnerability (the belief that they can't be hurt and that they have the best luck in the world). Both of these concepts are extremely dangerous, and if not identified and helped are capable of causing long-term physical or emotional harm.
Identification
Identifying issues in adolescence, or yourself (if you are a teen reading this) is vital in getting help and understanding what might be happening. Signs to look for in identifying trouble:
There are many more, and they vary with each individual. Understanding is the first step to resolving whatever the problem may be.
Also understanding that all of these struggles are perfectly normal is important. Everyone develops differently and understanding that emotional confusion is normal as our brain is attempting to work through some of the biological changes that begin happening during adolescence as well.
- Constant Fatigue
- Sudden Drop in Grades
- Lack of Motivation
- Avoiding Social Situations
- Hostility Toward Authority
- Feelings of Hopelessness and Confusion
There are many more, and they vary with each individual. Understanding is the first step to resolving whatever the problem may be.
Also understanding that all of these struggles are perfectly normal is important. Everyone develops differently and understanding that emotional confusion is normal as our brain is attempting to work through some of the biological changes that begin happening during adolescence as well.
Help
If you or a teen are beginning to truly struggle with any of the concepts listed above, seeking a counselor is often the best step to take as they are professionals that are trained and have a deep understanding of the struggles listed above. Below are a number of websites that can be used to seek out a counselor in your area.
Sources:
http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2014/05/27a.aspx http://www.pearlsinpursuit.com/category/depression/
http://clinicalcounselor.blogspot.com/2011/10/alcoholism-and-alcohol-abuse.html
Kail, R. V., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (2014). Essentials of human development: a life-span view (Student ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth.
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/teens/emotional-well-being/understanding-your-teenagers-emotional-health.html
http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2014/05/27a.aspx http://www.pearlsinpursuit.com/category/depression/
http://clinicalcounselor.blogspot.com/2011/10/alcoholism-and-alcohol-abuse.html
Kail, R. V., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (2014). Essentials of human development: a life-span view (Student ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth.
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/teens/emotional-well-being/understanding-your-teenagers-emotional-health.html