When your son or daughter gets angry (and believe me, everyone gets angry), how does he or she cope with it?

Over the years working with teens, I’ve watched angry kids punch holes in walls and bang their heads on the floor. I’ve also seen them turn their anger inward, and become depressed, isolated, and lonely.

It’s easy for parents to get caught up with the outward manifestations of anger, whether it’s a cold shoulder or a shouting match. In my experience, though, I’ve found that all anger is an emotional response to an unmet need.

The best way to deal with any problem is to tackle it at its source. So don’t let your teen’s outward actions distract you. Instead, try digging into the “whys” behind your child’s anger.

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