Many times as parents, we wonder whether or not our teenager is in need of help. But many parents don't know how to recognize troubled teens. We have put together the following questionnaire in order to give you an idea of the seriousness of your teenager's at-risk behaviors as well as help you know how to identify a troubled or out-of-control teen. If you are parenting troubled or defiant teens, these questions will no doubt resonate with you. If you are concerned that your teen is depressed, this also works as a depressed teen questionnaire.
Does your teen fail to complete tasks that require effort regardless of the future importance of the task? (e.g. school work)
Does your teen attempt to negotiate and/or manipulate in order to avoid consequences and problems?
Does your teen justify negative behaviors by blaming others?
Is your teen unwilling to recognize the impact of his/her behavior on family and friends?
Does your teen use manipulation and deception in order to change others' points of view?
Does your teen have weekly outbursts or mood swings?
Does your teen avoid participating in family activities and social events?
Does your teen become impatient or easily agitated with others?
My child's behavior is very disruptive in his/her environment
Has there been a recent drop in your teen's performance at school?
Is it difficult for your teen to relate with others or make friends?
Does your teen frequently fail to finish schoolwork, projects or chores?
Does your teen fail to follow through with responsibilities or instructions?
Is your teen unmotivated?
Does your teen argue with adults and authority figures?
Is your teen failing one or more courses in school?
Has your teen undergone therapy and/or counseling without results?
Does your teen do dangerous things without considering the consequences, "a daredevil"?
Has your teen been physically abusive to animals?
Is your teen extremely self-conscious?
Does your teen appear depressed, sad, tearful or irritable?
Has your teen run away from home?
Is your teen sexually active?
Does your teen engage in self-injurious behaviors and/or threaten to inflict self-harm?
Does your teen use illegal drugs and/or alcohol?
Low Risk
Low Risk
Moderate Risk
High Risk
Your Child
your teen can be considered to be in the low risk category. Due to the number of behaviors that your child is exhibiting, there is need for some concern. Your teen may benefit from counseling, extra parental supervision and family activities.
Moderate Risk
Low Risk
Moderate Risk
High Risk
Your Child
Your teen can be considered to be in the moderate risk category. Adolescents in this category are exhibiting several behaviors that are disturbing to parents and are in need to help. We recommend individual and family counseling, as well as extra parental supervision. Possible placement of your child may be needed.
High Risk
Low Risk
Moderate Risk
High Risk
Your Child
Your teen may need immediate help. Adolescents in this category have engaged in a significant number of behaviors that are damaging, dangerous and/or life threatening. Immediate help and placement of your child is advised.
This test is not a diagnostic tool. Rather, it is an instrument that may help you to determine if your teenage son or daughter could benefit from a therapeutic setting. It may be beneficial for you to seek further clarification from a licensed mental health professional as soon as possible.
The most obvious warning signs are distancing from family, isolating, drop in academic performance, dress and grooming, lack of motivation, new friends, sexual promiscuity, running away, cutting and drug use.
Christian Therapeutic Program assist youth by focusing on their spiritual needs and not just the behaviors. Their therapeutic process startsfrom the inside, working outward toward a rebirth of body and soul.
One of the common mistakes parents make is that initial counseling, followed by short-term residential treatment is enough, but in reality,most troubled teens require a longer-term program with continued counseling and ongoing recovery services.
There are three distinct categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. For troubled teens impulsiveness or the inability to control their impulses often leads to making bad choices and decisions that have negative long-term consequences.
