In this episode Neil along with his co-host Robin respond to a mother who is worried about her 17-year-old son who is easily provoked and makes violent threats against other kids. Together, Neil and Robin discuss the origins of such destructive behavior, what treatment options would be most effective, and what the parents can do to help.

Francine from Spokane, Washington writes: 

Dear Neil, 

Our 17 year old son is getting into more and more trouble.  He is a smart, capable young man.  When he has a job to do that he’s getting paid for, he does an excellent job. The problem is he’s hot headed and gets into conflict easily with a lot of people.  He takes things personally when kids provoke him, and he responds with threats of violence and uses racist and anti-gay language. He’s been suspended several times for that. He ended the school year with D’s and F’s. He was getting involved with drugs and alcohol and was picked up drunk by the police when he was out late one night and was put on probation.  We’ve been testing him ever since and he has not been using marijuana and alcohol for several months and we’re grateful for that. He swears at me when I turn off his internet or take a privilege away.  His father keeps trying to get through to him, but it only leads to arguments and fights. Is there anything we can do to help him take things less personally and change his attitude towards racial minorities and gays? We fear that he will hurt someone and will find himself in jail soon if he doesn’t change his ways.

Neil and Robin discuss the origins of such destructive behavior, what treatment options would be most effective, and what the parents can do to help.