What do we mean by interpersonal challenges?

Interpersonal challenges are quite common among adolescents and are considered a normal part of development. However, persistent and severe challenges become more ingrained and pervasive over time, disrupting one’s ability to function across settings. In adulthood, these maladaptive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving can cause numerous problems and a great deal of distress, potentially resulting in a personality disorder diagnosis. To prevent these normal challenges from becoming major issues, it’s important to recognize and intervene early to help manage these difficulties effectively and develop new ways of seeing oneself and interacting with others.

At Antelope, we work with children who exhibit more severe or extreme interpersonal challenges, such as:

• Bullying other students.
• Outbursts at school or with friends.
• Intense fear of rejection.
• Difficulty expressing anger appropriately.
• Frequent misinterpretation of others’ actions as hostile or contemptuous.
• Difficulty maintaining friendships due to jealousy or possessiveness.
• Paranoia or excessive suspicion without justification.
• Persistent lying to or manipulation of others for personal gain.
• Repeated cold, distant, or overly formal behavior.
• Lack of empathy and disregard for the feelings of others.
• Dramatic, erratic, or flamboyant behavior in social settings.

How do we work with these challenges?

Treating teenagers with interpersonal difficulties involves a multifaceted approach. Therapy is often the cornerstone of the care plan, with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) being particularly effective. These therapies help teens understand and manage their emotions, improve their communication skills, and develop healthier relationships. Group therapy can also be beneficial, providing a safe environment to practice new skills with peers. Additionally, family therapy might be employed to improve communication and resolve conflicts within the home, especially if the outbursts are directed toward parents.

Overcoming difficulties with Interpersonal Issues

One major challenge in treating interpersonal difficulties is the variability in family members’ willingness to participate in therapy or change their behavior patterns along with the teen. Often, we see family members contributing unconsciously to the dynamics. The complexity of interpersonal dynamics can make it difficult to isolate the factors contributing to the teen’s challenges, requiring highly individualized treatment plans.

Benefits of healing from Interpersonal Issues

Interacting with others is a significant part of daily life, and treatment for interpersonal difficulties can bring benefits across many areas. Individuals often find that their relationships become closer and more rewarding. They learn to handle conflicts and pressures more effectively and develop greater self-awareness and behavioral control. This progress can lead to a more fulfilling and harmonious life.