Teens vs Impulsive Behaviour

Impulsive behavior is often held in line with a mental disorder. However, impulsive behavior and irrational decision-making at times are a part and parcel of being a teenager. However hard it might be for us to accept it, we aren’t fully mentally capable of making flawless decisions. Here is the scientific reason why - the prefrontal cortex of our brain and our frontal lobe, the parts that deal with decision making, are not fully developed until we are in our mid 20’s.

Let me put it this way. We teens are trying to follow a map - ‘the map of adulthood’ that is only half-drawn. We are unaware of the remaining directions that we need to take to reach our destination or, in this case, a good decision. As we grow older, the routes on the map begin to get filled out and a much clearer route to the destination is formed.

Another reason why we engage in a lot more impulsive decisions than adults is because when we do so, the reward center of our brain begins to flood our brain with dopamine- the happy/pleasure hormone. When we see that the decision we took didn’t really impact anyone in a very adverse way, we take it with a pinch of salt and decide to do it again. We are a storehouse of energy and that energy, if not invested in the right place, can eventually lead to us getting someone killed. But hey! We aren’t to blame. In fact, it is only natural for us to behave this way.

But how can we avoid making such decisions? Now, I can go all mummy's daughter and tell you not to take any important decisions and to consult your parents before it. But that almost never works. THAT IS WHY IT IS CALLED IMPULSIVE DECISIONS. If we do not take them, how will we learn what is right and what is wrong? Someone needs to make the adults understand that!

Though I said we must make impulse decisions, we must make sure we don’t go wrong all the time. Here are just a few ways you can reduce making dangerous and irrational decisions.

1. Ask yourself “Why?”

Some decisions we make as teenagers define the person we will be in the future. Personally, my parents never intervene in these decisions. They tell me that it is my life and I need to deal with the aftermath of that decision. So, I have grown up feeling responsible for every decision I make and that is the situation all of us are going to face. So ask yourself why you are making the decision. Weigh out the pros and cons. This basically delays the decision and when a decision is delayed, it is not an impulsive decision anymore :)

2. Try avoiding situations where you will have to make such decisions.

At this point you are probably thinking “ Like our parents haven’t told us these things!” but hear me out. Avoiding such situations are easier said than done but there are times when we KNOW that when we come out of the place we are going, we would have completely ruined our life. Avoid going there with all your might. Remember that your future self will thank you.

Just remember who YOU are. DO NOT let your friends, family, or those around you make any decisions for you. Just remember that the decisions YOU make will affect YOU and no other. I am going to stop the philosophy now. See you next week!