A teenager's messy bedroom may be an expression of 'emotional chaos' in the relationship between parent and child, says a child psychiatrist. So, do you sleep in a tip?

		Imagine you are a five-year-old. Your mother is trying to tempt you to eat more greens, especially cabbage. Do you:
			Happily acquiesce because you mistake the incoming spoon for an aeroplane
			Ask for seconds
			Sulk and ask for biscuits
			Throw a tantrum and pelt the vegetables at the floor
		As a teenager you want to hold a house party. What do you do when your parents say no?
			Make inquiries about hiring the village hall
			Play your music loud and complain, to no one in particular, that no one understands
			Agree. After all, they spent a lot of money getting that new carpet
			Wait till they go away for an evening then invite 50 of your friends round, and their friends too
		Is your father
			Embarrassing?
			Someone in whom you see your own positive traits and failings?
			Your role model?
			This old dinosaur who is just out to give you a hard time?
		And your mother?
			Worse than your father
			A source of inspiration
			Annoying
			A soft touch
		You now have your own place. What do you do when your parents come to visit?
			Spend the previous evening cleaning
			Make sure you are out
			Buy some polish and display it prominently in your store cupboard
			Not make an effort - you are grown up now and they can take you as you are
		What about when you are at their home?
			Offer to do the washing up
			Rearrange the bookshelves in alphabetical order
			Storm out the door screaming 'I hate you'
			Fall asleep with your feet on the sofa