Adolescents
As we reach adulthood the last part of our brain to be developed is the Pre-Frontal Cortex. This part of the brain reaches its maturity when you reach your late twenties. The Pre-Frontal Cortex is in charge of: attention, concentration, short term memory, executive functioning, impulse control, inhibition, judgment, empathy, emotional control, and social interaction. You might call this the “making good decisions” part of the brain.
The amygdala is responsible for emotional processing and reactionary decision making. It is the part of the brain that is in charge of the emotional self. This part of the brain is fully developed in adolescents.
For teenagers the emotional self is developed and the rational self is not. So what we have are teens with all of these emotions running, and no reins to control them.
Now lets throw SEX into the mix. For adolescent boys and girls there is a rapid development of the “third interstitial nucleus of the anterior hypothalamus” which prompts sexual thought. This means that sex is literally on the brain. Thinking about sex at this age is as natural as eating.
This rapid development of the brain surges production of testosterone for boys, although not in girls. Testosterone is what gives boys their sexual drive.
During this time there is also a spike in the production of dopamine for both girls and boys. Dopamine is the hormone related to feeling good. Dopamine is released when we eat food, have sex or have other naturally rewarding experiences, and thinking about sex is naturally rewarding.
Girls do not have the surge in testosterone, so they do not have the sexual drive that boys experience. Girls do, however, have sexual thoughts.
The primary difference in girls and boys is the sexual drive (testosterone). Simply put boys think about sex and are also interested in the physical aspects of sex – going beyond just thinking about it. Girls think about sex, however, they are rarely as interested in the physical aspects of it.
In summary: For both boys and girls the rational self is not developed, however the emotional self is. Have you ever asked your teen, “why are you so emotional?” This is why. This is also why teens have a hard time controlling their emotions. It is like riding a horse with no reins.
Boys are thinking about sex and desiring to have it and the dopamine reinforces this process. Girls are thinking about sex, and dopamine reinforces this process. It plays out like this: Boys want to have sex and will enter into a relationship to get it. Girls want to have a relationship and will engage in sex to get one.
Why is this all so important? Because we live in an age where sex is everywhere and accessible. It is easy for young people to get into trouble with sex-related issues such as: pregnancy, sexually transmitted illnesses, sex addiction, pornography, masturbation and more.
This is why it is so important to teach our kids about boundaries, sex, relationships and what their bodies are going through. Adolescents can make good choices for themselves when given guidance, information and mentoring. I can provide this guidance, information and mentoring. I can help your adolescent learn how to make good decisions and have healthy boundaries.
If your adolescent is struggling with sexuality, pornography or in having healthy relationships, please give me a call. I can help. I have worked with adolescent males and females for 15 plus years. I offer a plan and strategy that will help your adolescent control their sexuality and help them understand how to have healthy relationships. I can help them manage that brain of theirs!
Call or e-mail me to set up an appointment. I am available evenings and weekends.
jeff@sexaddictionhelpks.com
316- 288-6305