Rachel Morse - Neurology

 

Feel First, Think Later: Why Teen Brains Are Wired by Emotion

By: Rachel Morse

During adolescence, the emotional area of our brains, known as the amygdala, develops faster than the part responsible for logical decision-making, the prefrontal cortex. The amygdala primarily processes emotions such as fear and anxiety, helping you react quickly in high-pressure situations but also irrationally. In contrast, the prefrontal cortex, which helps you slow down, think things through, and make smart choices, doesn’t fully mature until around age 25. For teens worldwide, the process of emotionally-driven decision-making isn’t solely due to hormones, but also being rooted in how our brains develop.

Teens can often be labelled as “dramatic” or “too sensitive”, but when relying on their brain for quick reactions, they are wired to feel first and think later. Moments feel like the end of the world but may seem minor in hindsight. This difference in brain development between adolescents and adults is common everywhere, often seen through how relationships, conflicts, and risks are handled. 

Understanding the science behind our emotions is important and helps us understand ourselves better, encouraging us to be kinder to ourselves. Ignoring mental health symptoms caused by this emotional drive can have long-term health impacts, such as self-harm and depression, both being leading causes of illness in teens, where neurological development plays a significant role. There are ways that teens can practice pausing before reacting impulsively, such as journaling or stepping back when things seem too overwhelming. Emotional reactions do not make anyone weak; they make all of us human.