Teenagers are known for pushing boundaries. Mood swings, arguments, slammed doors, and a shift toward independence are all part of the typical adolescent journey. But when a teen’s behavior swings from frustrating to dangerous–when they start lashing out, destroying property, or engaging in self-harm—it’s more than just teen angst. This is destructive behavior, and it can have serious consequences.
Parents who understand the difference between what to realistically expect during adolescence and what signals a deeper problem are more equipped to help support their children. When teen behaviors escalate to aggression, risky behavior, or vandalism, it’s time to step in. Unaddressed destructive or risky behavior can snowball, leading to legal trouble, mental health crises, or long-term life challenges.
What You’ll Learn
- What is considered risky behavior in adolescence?
- Why do some teens turn to destructive and risky behavior?
- What can you do as a parent to get to the bottom of your teen’s troubling behavior?
- How can mental health treatment help a troubled teen?
Quick Read
Destructive behavior in teenagers often transcends typical adolescent mood swings and boundary-pushing, manifesting as aggression, self-harm, or property destruction. Parents must differentiate between normal teenage rebellion and signs of deeper issues to effectively support their children. When behaviors escalate to dangerous levels, intervention is crucial, as unaddressed actions can lead to serious consequences such as legal troubles or mental health crises. Recognizing the difference between typical behaviors—like defiance or social changes—and risky actions—such as substance use or violence—can help parents identify when their teen needs help.
Risky behavior encompasses actions that pose potential harm to the teen or others, often serving as a cry for help. Common high-risk behaviors include driving under the influence, substance use, and self-harm. While typical teenage behaviors can be annoying, destructive actions indicate a need for robust mental health support. Parents should be vigilant for red flags that suggest their teen may be struggling with emotional or psychological issues, as these patterns can lead to lifelong challenges if left unchecked.
The causes of destructive behavior in teens are multifaceted, often rooted in family dynamics, trauma, mental health issues, and unmet emotional needs. Factors such as high parental conflict, unresolved trauma, and exposure to substance use can increase the likelihood of a teen engaging in harmful behaviors. Additionally, many teens carry the weight of unresolved trauma, which can overwhelm their coping abilities and lead to self-destructive actions. Mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, further complicate the situation, making it essential for parents to recognize these underlying issues.
When faced with troubling behaviors, parents should take proactive steps to address the situation. Acknowledging the behavior, setting clear boundaries, and encouraging positive outlets can help guide teens toward healthier choices. Professional help is often necessary for teens engaging in dangerous behaviors, and comprehensive treatment programs can provide the support needed to address root causes and foster healing. Newport Academy offers evidence-based treatment for adolescents, focusing on the whole person and equipping them with the tools to navigate their challenges effectively.
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What Counts as “Risky” Behavior in Adolescence?
Risky behavior refers to actions that can potentially cause harm—either to the teen themselves or to others. These aren’t just bad decisions that result from still-developing brains; they’re patterns that can lead to serious consequences like injury, addiction, or getting in trouble with the law. Teens who engage in destructive or risky behaviors can seem out of control and even scary for parents.
What’s typical: exploring identity, rolling their eyes, changing social groups, and wanting more alone time. Even defiance, like arguing, ignoring chores, or resisting curfews, is common. These behaviors are annoying, but not dangerous.
What’s not typical: throwing punches, trashing a room, physically threatening others or getting into fights, damaging property, sneaking out to drink or use drugs, reckless driving, or engaging in high-risk sexual behavior. These actions go beyond normal rebellion and signal that your teen may be in trouble.
Common high-risk behaviors in adolescence include:
- Driving under the influence
- Substance use
- Unprotected sex
- Self-harm
- Violence (verbal or physical) toward people or animals
- Destruction of property
Risky behavior is often a cry for help. These red flags mean teens need robust mental health support. Left unchecked, risky behavior can become a destructive pattern and lead to lifelong problems.
Types of Unruly Teenager Behavior
Destructive and self-destructive behavior can take many forms. Some teens act out aggressively. Others turn their pain inward. Regardless of the behavior, it’s often an attempt for teens to feel more in control of their lives. Here are some of the most common ways troubled teenagers show their emotional distress:
Self-harm
Cutting, burning, eating disorders, or otherwise hurting themselves as a way to cope with emotional pain.
Aggression or violence
Getting into fights, threatening others, or physically attacking people or animals.
Verbal abuse
Yelling, name-calling, threats, or cruel language aimed at family, peers, or teachers.
Manipulation
Purposely trying to control and manipulate others around them, including emotional blackmail, lying, and guilt-tripping. Isolation
Withdrawing from friends, family, or once-loved activities.
Substance use
Drinking, using drugs, or experimenting with dangerous substances, sometimes starting at a young age.
Recklessness
Reckless behaviors can include unprotected sex, driving under the influence, and other activities involving serious risk and consequences.
Destroying Property
Breaking furniture, damaging school property, vandalizing cars, or repeatedly trashing their room or house.
Truancy
Skipping school or refusing to go altogether, often without explanation.
Avoidance and procrastination
Avoiding responsibilities, failing classes, or neglecting hygiene or sleep.
When facing these alarming behaviors, it’s natural for parents to try and buckle down on discipline techniques in order to stop the behavior. This is often a helpful approach for many situations throughout adolescence, but may not be appropriate for destructive behaviors. Destructive behaviors are symptoms of underlying emotional or mental health issues that require support to address root issues.
What Causes Destructive and Risky Behavior in Teens?
Teen destructive behavior is typically a combination of environmental, emotional, and psychological factors.
Family Dynamics
According to the Surgeon General’s report on youth violence, the following types of family dysfunction may increase the likelihood of destructive behavior:
- High levels of parental conflict or aggression
- Living in a household in which there is inadequate support
- Parents with unresolved trauma or a history of abuse
- Overly permissive or overprotective parenting styles
- Lack of clear rules and accountability
- Exposure to substance use at home
- Cultural or gender role expectations that model control or aggression
Trauma
Many destructive teens are carrying unresolved trauma. This might include:
- Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Neglect or abandonment
- Family instability (e.g., divorce, death, mental illness, or addiction)
- Bullying or social rejection
- Feeling invisible, misunderstood, or “othered”
- Learning disabilities or academic struggles that erode self-worth
Trauma overwhelms a teen’s ability to cope. When they lack the tools or support to process it, destructive behavior often follows.
Mental Health Issues
Teens dealing with mental health challenges are more likely to engage in self-destructive or high-risk behavior. Common diagnoses linked to these behaviors include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- PTSD
- Bipolar disorder and other mood disorders
- Neurodivergence such as ADHD or hypersensitivity
Without treatment, these conditions can spiral, leading teens to act out or self-medicate to numb their pain.
Unmet Needs
Destructive behavior can stem from a teen feeling unheard, unsupported, or unseen. They may act out because it’s the only way they know to express themselves or to get attention. When their emotional or social needs aren’t met, they may seek control or connection in harmful ways.
What to Do When You Have a Troubled Teenager
When your teenager’s behavior starts to scare or overwhelm you, it’s time to take action. Ignoring it or hoping it’s just a phase can allow the behavior and whatever’s driving it to get worse.
Here’s what you can do:
- Acknowledge their behavior. Don’t minimize or ignore destructive actions. Let them know you see it and take it seriously.
- Set and enforce boundaries. Clear expectations and consequences help teens feel secure, even if they resist them.
- Help them find positive outlets. Teens need purpose. Volunteering, music, sports, art, or working with animals can give them a sense of connection and self-worth.
- Avoid power struggles. As much as possible, stay calm and consistent. Yelling or threatening can make a teen double down on frightening or destructive behaviors.
- Get professional help. If your teen is engaging in dangerous or illegal behaviors, professional support is essential. Comprehensive therapy, including residential treatment or specialized programs for troubled teenagers, can provide the structure and support they need to heal.
Read: What to Do When Your Teen Refuses Treatment
Evidence-Based Treatment For Adolescent Risky Behavior
If your teen is engaging in destructive behaviors, you don’t have to navigate it alone. We’re here to help your family restore connection, rebuild trust, and find a path forward.
At Newport Academy, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based treatment designed to support healing and growth for adolescents and their families. Our RTCs for teens and outpatient clinics serve youth ages 11–18. We believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms, and support emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being through a multifaceted approach.
Our accredited programs break the cycle of risky behavior by addressing the root causes, including trauma, family dynamics, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health challenges. We help teens develop the tools they need to learn emotion regulation, build healthy relationships, set boundaries, and improve self-worth. A dedicated, multidisciplinary team of licensed professionals also supports your teen’s medical and academic needs.
Your teen will receive personalized care from a team that includes:
- Family, group, experiential, and individual therapists
- Psychiatrists
- Physicians and nurse practitioners
- Academic educators
If you’re considering treatment, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, beginning with a free mental health assessment. Reach out today to learn how we can support your teen and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Destructive Teen Behavior
Three common high-risk behaviors in teens are substance use, unprotected sex, and reckless driving. These behaviors increase the chance of serious consequences like injury, illness, or legal trouble.
Destructive behavior refers to actions that harm oneself, others, or property. Examples include self-harm, aggression, substance abuse, and vandalism. Destructive behaviors and reckless behaviors can overlap.
Reckless behavior in teens refers to actions that show a disregard for personal safety or the safety of others. Examples include unprotected or risky sexual behaviors, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and engaging in verbal or physical fights.
Self-destructive behavior often stems from unresolved trauma, low self-esteem, mental health issues, or a need to cope with overwhelming emotions.
The most common cause of adolescent risk-taking is brain development. The underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, which impacts decision-making and impulse control, factors in heavily. However, risk-taking isn’t always dangerous or destructive. Things like mental health issues, trauma, and a lack of support play significant roles in destructive behaviors.
