An alumnus of Pace University School of Law, Mark Spatz serves as a case manager for South Florida Injury Law PA in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Mark Spatz supports several family and youth-focused organizations that aim to improve the welfare of people in high-risk situations that can lead to troubled behavior.

While the transition from adolescence into adulthood is a challenging time for many young people and their families, there is a distinction between typical and troubled behavior. For example, it is developmentally-normal for teenagers to want more independence and start to rebel somewhat against their parents.

Due to hormonal fluctuations and other physiological changes, teenagers also often experience emotional ups and downs and concerns over their appearance or standing within their peer group. However, these behaviors can become more severe and dangerous if the youth engages in criminal activity, drug use, or highly-risky behavior.

Troubled teens may also experience serious mental health issues, such as depression, which may lead to self-harming behaviors. Parents must monitor their teens' behavior and look for signs such as personality changes, potentially violent behavior, or truancy, all of which may indicate a more severe issue.