How to Help a Teenager With Anger Issues

{loadmoduleid 737} Identify the Emotion That your Child is Feeling The first step is to identify the emotion that your child is feeling. You can do this by looking at their facial expressions and body language. If they look sad, for example, they might have a frown on their face and their body might be slumped over.Label the emotion. Once you've identified the emotion, label it for your child. For example, you might say, "You look sad." This will help your child understand and label their emotions. Explain What Causes the Emotion. After you've labeled the emotion, explain what might be causing it. For example, if your child is sad, you might say, "You're sad because your best friend moved away." This will help your child understand that there are reasons for their emotions. Offer Comfort and Support. Once you've explained the emotion, offer comfort and support to your child. For example, you might give them a hug or tell them it's okay to feel that way. This will help your child feel supported and loved. Ask Why They Feel This Way? Sometimes, emotions can be confusing. If your child is having trouble understanding their emotions, you can ask them why they feel that way. For example, you might say, "Why do you think you're feeling sad?" This will help your child to explore their emotions and understand them better. Help Them Explore Their Feelings and Express Themselves Through Art, Music, or Other Creative Outlets Sometimes, it can be helpful for kids to express their emotions through art, music, or other creative outlets. Some examples of this are drawing a picture of how they're feeling, writing a song about their emotions, or acting out a scene from a movie that makes them feel the same way.This can help them to better understand their emotions and how to cope with them. Encourage Positive Self-Talk One way to help kids cope with their emotions is to encourage them to use positive self-talk. This means talking to themselves in a positive way. For example, you might say, "It's okay to be sad. You can get through this." This will help your child to see their emotions in a more positive light. Positive self-talk is an important step in learning how to explain emotions to a child. Listen to What They Have to Say Without Judgment or Interruption - Just Be There For Them It's important to listen to what your child has to say about their emotions. This includes listening without judgment or interruption. Sometimes, kids just need to be heard. This can help them feel better and understand their emotions better.Validating their feelings by saying something like "It sounds like you're feeling really sad right now" can go a long way. Other ways you can be there for them are by offering a hug or just being present with them. Give Hugs and Kisses - Sometimes Physical Affection Can Be the Best Medicine Physical affection can be a great way to comfort your child. This can include giving them hugs, kisses, or just holding them. Sometimes, a simple hug can be the best way to help your child understand and cope with their emotions. Studies show that physical affection can help to reduce stress and anxiety in children. Help Them Understand That It's Okay to Feel Sad, Angry, or Scared Sometimes - Everyone Feels These Emotions It's important for kids to understand that it's okay to feel sad, angry, or scared sometimes. Everyone feels these emotions. Helping them to understand this can help them to feel less alone and more understood. It can also help them to see that their emotions are normal and that they can cope with them.Some things you can say are, "It's okay to feel sad sometimes. Everyone feels that way." or "I'm here for you. I know it's tough right now."Encourage them to talk to you or another trusted adult about their feelings. This is an important part of learning how to explain emotion to a child. Remind them that you're always there for them and that they can come to you with anything they're feeling. Let them know that it's okay to express their emotions and that you're there to listen. This will help them feel supported and loved. Have Patience - Working Through Emotions Can Be Tough for Aids (and Adults!) Learning how to cope with emotions can be tough for kids and adults. It's important to have patience as your child is learning how to understand and express their emotions. Offer encouragement and support along the way. Help them to see that they're doing a great job and that you're proud of them. This will help them to keep going even when it's tough. Some things you can do to help your patience are to take breaks, deep breaths, and remind yourself that this is a process. Seek Professional Help if You're Concerned About Your Child's Emotional Health or Well-Being If you're concerned about your child's emotional health or well-being, seek professional help. This can include talking to their doctor, a therapist, or a counselor. Professional help can be a great way to get additional support for your child. They can help to assess the situation and offer guidance on how to best help your child. Disclaimer The content on this blog post is meant for informational purposes only.If you need help please talk to a licensed medical professional. Conclusion It's natural for kids to feel emotions like sadness, anger, and fear. As a parent, you can help your child understand these emotions and cope with them in a healthy way. By learning how to explain emotions to a child, talking about emotions, listening to your child, and being there for them, you can help them through anything they're feeling.

Parenting
May 13, 2025

Understand the Causes of Teen Anger

Before you can start to help your teenager with their anger, it's important to understand what might be causing it.

There are many potential causes of teen anger, including:

  • Stress from school or other activities
  • Frustration with friends or family members
  • Feelings of insecurity or low self-esteem
  • Disrespect from others
  • Experiencing abuse or trauma


This is an important step in learning how to help a teenager with anger issues. 

By understanding the causes you can better help your teen deal with their anger.

a young teen looking angry

Talk About Anger in a Constructive Way 

One of the best things you can do to help a teenager with anger issues is to talk about anger constructively.

This means avoiding judgmental language and instead focusing on problem-solving.

For example, you might say something like, "I noticed that you got really angry when your sister took your phone. 

Can we brainstorm some solutions to that problem?"

If your teenager is hesitant to talk about their anger, you can try writing down your thoughts and feelings. 

This can be a helpful way to start a conversation about anger constructively. 

Identify Warning Signs of Teen Anger 

Many different warning signs may indicate your teenager is struggling with anger.

These can include:

  • Frequent outbursts of anger
  • Breaking things or lashing out physically
  • Hurting themselves or others
  • Using drugs or alcohol to cope with anger
  • Withdrawing from friends and activities they used to enjoy
  • Skipping school or getting into trouble at school
  • Having difficulty concentrating
  • Sleeping too much or too little


If you notice any of these warning signs in your teenager, it's important to talk to them about their anger. 

Encourage Positive Coping Mechanisms for Teen Anger

There are many different ways that teenagers can deal with anger in a positive way. 

Some of these coping mechanisms include:

  • Talking to a trusted friend or adult about their feelings
  • Writing down their thoughts and feelings
  • Listening to music
  • Participating in regular physical activity
  • Practicing deep breathing or relaxation techniques


It's important to encourage your teenager to find a coping mechanism that works for them. 

This may require trial and error, but it's worth it to help your teenager learn how to deal with their anger in a positive way.

a teenager yelling into a payphone

Talk to Your Teenager About Their Anger 

If you're not sure how to help a teenager with anger issues, the best thing you can do is talk to them about their anger.

Anger is a normal emotion, and it's important to provide a safe space for your teenager to express their thoughts and feelings.

You might say something like, "I noticed that you've been really angry lately. I just want you to know that I'm here for you and I want to help you through this."

By talking to your teenager about their anger, you can help them feel understood and supported. 

Seek Professional Help if Necessary 

 If you're concerned about your teenager's anger, it's important to seek professional help.

A professional can assess the severity of the problem and provide additional resources and support.

If you're not sure where to start, you can talk to your teenager's doctor or mental health professional.

Learning how to help a teenager with anger issues is an important task for any parent. 

By taking the time to understand the causes of teen anger and identify positive coping mechanisms, you can make a big difference in your teenager's life.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is meant to be used for informational uses only. 

Please contact a licensed medical professional for official medical advice.

A licensed professional can help guide you and give you the tools you need to help improve your mental health or relationship situations.

FAQs

How can I help my teenager with anger issues?

The best thing you can do to help a teenager with anger issues is to talk about anger constructively. 

This means avoiding judgmental language and instead focusing on problem-solving. 

For example, you might say something like, "I noticed that you got really angry when your sister took your clothes without asking.

Can we brainstorm some solutions to that problem?"

What are some warning signs that a teenager is struggling with anger?

There are many different warning signs of teen anger, but some of the most common include outbursts of anger, breaking things or lashing out physically, hurting themselves or others, using drugs or alcohol to cope with anger, withdrawing from friends and activities they used to enjoy, skipping school or getting into trouble at school, having difficulty concentrating, sleeping too much or too little.

What are some positive coping mechanisms for teen anger?

There are many different ways that teenagers can deal with anger in a positive way. 

Some of these coping mechanisms include: talking to a trusted friend or adult about their feelings, writing down their thoughts and feelings, listening to music, participating in regular physical activity, and practicing deep breathing or relaxation techniques.

What should I do if I'm concerned about my teenager's anger?

If you're concerned about your teenager's anger, it's important to seek professional help.

A professional can assess the severity of the problem and provide additional resources and support. 

If you're not sure where to start, you can talk to your teenager's doctor or mental health professional. 

Conclusion

If you're concerned about your teenager's anger, the best thing you can do is talk to them about it. 

Anger is a normal emotion, and it's important to provide a safe space for your teenager to express their thoughts and feelings.

If the anger seems to be causing problems in your teenager's life, it's important to seek professional help. 

A professional can assess the severity of the problem and provide additional resources and support.

Author
Jennifer Luttman, LPC, ACS

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.

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