Teenager struggles with emotions

[CathieE]

My 16 year old DD is having problems that he has tried to explain to me in recent days as he is worried they are getting worse. He says ' its like fireworks going of in his head' He gets angry where he wants to or does punch something and then when its over breaks down in tears! He has also said about voices in his head giving him conflicting messages when he knows the argument he is picking is wrong but he can't help himself to carry on. It can all be very upsetting, I am hoping that it is teenage hormones but the voices is worrying. Can anyone help??

[CathieE]

Sorry I am new to this - it should be DS

[bowbear]

So sorry to hear that you and your DS are having such a difficult time. I am in the midst of a similar situation with my DD (14) I can't tell you the panic I felt when she said she could hear voices in her head. We started with the GP who referred her to camhs. Camhs have been next to useless but we have arranged private counselling which she is finding really helpful. There are a whole range of reasons why teenagers may hear voices and many of them are temporary and not necessarily a sign of any ongoing issue.

I would definitely start with the GP, just talking to someone may help your son understand his emotions and take some of the fear away.

Good luck

[Heyho111]

Your son could be hearing voices or he could be hearing his thoughts. Teenage thoughts and feelings are a real muddle of emotions which some feel stronger than others.
It would be worth a chat with your gp and perhaps organise some councelling through the school councellor. The councellor will help him understand what he is feeling and how to deal with his emotions.
The gp may suggest a referral to camhs which will help as well. Child psychology is a seperate service in some areas so a referral to that could be an alternative.

[HesNotAMessiah]

Hey ho is right

Teenagers do hear their conscience talking to them, but at that age it's not in their own voice, sometimes it will be a parents which can be what causes them the anger and arguing for what seems like the sake of it.

It is a struggle for them.

School counsellors can be good, and teens are usually quite comfortable talking about stuff in the school environment. It is a safe place for them usually.

[CathieE]

Thank you so much for your input, It has taken him a while to talk to me and he has said that he does not want to talk to a anyone else at the moment - hence me taking to these pages. Just knowing that we are not alone gives comfort.

[anthropology]

keep the lines of communication open . Its good he talks to you but if it gets worse, the gp is the best route, sometimes there can be medical reasons behind mood change etc, so rather than saying he has to talk to the GP
maybe suggest getting his bloods and everything checked as a start as he is feeling a bit low . ....for you, go online and look at sites like Young Minds and the parent sections, just to get advice on how to talk to him about what he feels and as you say, realise for him and you there are lots of people going through this. If you think its more than normal teenage angst camhs via the gp has trained psychotherapists and psychiatrists who will recognise his symptoms , rather than school counsellors, although support varies wildly from area to area.

[Northernsoul58]

It's natural to worry about mental health, especially when your loved one talks about hearing voices. But please go to //www.rethink.org and look at the top banner, there is a link to Factsheets. On that page, under 'A' you will find a helpful factsheet called 'Are you Worried About Someone's Mental Health?' There is also one on 'Hearing Voices'. This information should put your mind at ease that what your DS is talking about is probably just about controlling his emotions and thoughts rather than anything more worrying.

[CathieE]

Thank you all so much, I am so pleased that I came on here.