Teenagers and Emotions

DEALING WITH ANGER

Anger is one of the most universal of human emotions, and perhaps one of the least welcome. Most of us learned that anger was a bad emotion we often feel that anger is something negative. As a result many of us try not to express anger when we feel it, and our society also put strict limits on how angry we are allowed to be. Unfortunately, pent-up anger is toxic to our bodies, our relationships and our joy in living. Unexpressed anger has been associated with high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels that can predict potential heart attacks. Other studies have suggested that death rates from all causes are three times higher in those classed as having "long-term suppressed anger."

We become angry when someone invades our space, ignores our boundaries. We become angry when we feel we won't get what we need, when reality doesn't meet our expectations. Surprisingly, anger is not the first emotion in most of those situations. Anger is secondary, the primary emotion is fear. Fear that I will be hurt or that my needs won't be met. Anger is then the mechanism we use to try and control the situation.

Do not dismiss the possibility of suicide!

Even young children consider suicide. There is no typical suicide; they are young and old, rich and poor.

Warning signs of depression/suicide:

* Isolation or withdrawal from family, friends, and activities
* Eating too much or too little
* Sleeping too much or too little
* Unexplained fatigue
* Losing interest in personal appearance
* Taking unnecessary risks
* Hostility
*Alcohol or drug abuse

Teens express their emotions in many ways. Drug and alcohol use is often a response. There are many web sites which can offer help. Some of them follow...

Help on the Web

This web site is from the American Psychological Association. Click on title bar to see Facts on Anger. 

Click below to search any topic you need help with

National Mental Health Association NMHA Information Center

Click below for Children's Mental Health Facts

The Beat Within web site. This site features writing done by young people who take part in the weekly YO! writing workshops in San Francisco's juvenile hall. Click for a look at teenage emotion expression!

A Weekly Newsletter of Writing and Art from the Inside

Emotions Poems Written by Teens

Anger

When I'm mad,
I often long to be glad.
One thing that brings upon anger,
Also the fact my father's a stranger.
I once was a happy child,
Now I cry aloud.
Hiding behind the pain,
I often feel shame.
A shame that's hidden deep inside,
It's covered by someone who walks in pride.
What do I do when I'm mad?
I often pretend to be glad.
You'll usually see a smile on my face,
A smile that only happiness can replace.
I hate to be angry, so I put it aside,
And let the joy of life walk with my pride.
- Shannon

Suicide

I don't deserve to live dear Lord
I have no chance in life
To have an immortal soul, my Lord
To never become a wife
I really wish you understood
The pain that I've been through
To become a teenage suicide,
Is up to me, not up to you.
I have a gun here in my hand
And bullets on my bed,
My door is shut, my blinds are closed
Real soon I will be dead.
My tears are now turning black
My face is turning pale,
Self-esteem is what I lack
Pulling this trigger, I will not fail.
A bad girl is what I've been
Too much to make up to you,
All I can do now is sin
If not, what can I do?
I messed up on the pathway
The pathway to your world,
I just now came to realize
I've been a real bad girl.
So please don't try and stop me
Don't try to change my mind,
Hello Satan, here I come
God, you've been real kind.
- Dyana

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Last Updated on 08/13/06