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Definition: the term resistance describes a common response from teens when confronted about their behavior or attitude, and encouraged to get help in dealing with the underlying causes. It describes a reluctance to confront problems directly and efforts to get the focus off of them and on to something or someone else.
Teen reluctance to getting help is a common response based on fear and denial. Resistance is often seen both before and during a teens' participation in therapy. Often resistance is seen most strongly in response to situations or issues a teen perceives as painful and is trying to avoid.
Family and friends are almost always able to see the problems caused by a teens' acting out behavior long before the teen develops this insight. Typically a teen will resist getting help by arguing it's not needed, stating they have the situation under control or insisting others are over reacting to the difficulties they are having.
Therapists who work with troubled teens expect this type of response but for parents it can be very frustrating to watch a teen suffer while at the same time refusing to do anything about it. Part of the process of healing is getting past this initial resistance and accepting there is a problem that needs to be dealt with directly.
Quick Links: Mental Health Terms Used in Treating Troubled Teens | Trouble Teens Articles | Quiz Is Your Teen At-Risk?