Adolescents or Teens
13 to 16 years

The transition period between childhood and adulthood - a time when personal identity and social understanding accompanies physical and emotional changes that are so rapid they are aptly called 'growing pains'. The last time a similar phase of development occurred was in toddlerhood, when their brain developed sufficiently to distinguish themselves as an individual’s independent from their parent. The toddler tantrum is not unlike the adolescent demands. While toddlers focus on “I want” as a way of evidencing their individuality, adolescent catch cry is “why not”. These words usher in a period of uncertainty, challenge and erratic behaviour.

But there is no one path for adolescent development - every individual changes at their own pace and time and in their own context.

At a time when developmental, social and personal challenges are at their greatest it is no wonder so many teenagers succumb to the stresses. Adolescents are often hypersensitive observers of the physical and social development of themselves and their peers. The impact of these comparisons on their own self-image and identity will heavily influence the satisfaction they feel in their daily life, compounding into adulthood.

Identity, especially sexual identity, is paramount psychological tasks of adolescents. The physiological changes, changes in appearance, hormonal changes, the emotional rollercoaster, development of abstract thinking capabilities and moral development, drive the adolescent to reconstruct relationships in new and meaningful ways. The vigilance of adolescence is magnified by the role of media in its portrayal of "successful" adolescents and adults. Parents find themselves dealing with a shift from the inquisitive 'why?' of childhood years to the demanding 'why not' in adolescence. The first task of adolescence is the discovery of ‘self’ – I am a person with my own mind, my own heart, my own personality. Then there is the discovery of freedom and the responsibilities that come with it – I am autonomous, free to take my life in the direction I want to. Finally there is the establishment of values and beliefs that will take them throughout their life. Professor David Isaacs proposed that until adolescents effectively develop these commitments they do not leave this phase of life.

While the doors to the wider social world are opening, and the adolescent has a glimpse, their egocentricity and limited experience make the transition a challenge not only for themselves, but also for those who love and care for them. It is also at this point that many biologically influenced psychological issues begin to be identified. These include depression.

Sadness, discouragement, pessimism, and a sense of hopelessness are emotions experienced by all people at one point or another. For most, the experience is short lived. Research shows that normal mild depression last long enough to 'adapt' to new situations (e.g.: after the death of a loved one"). This capacity to experience depression is beneficial. However, when the experience persists, invading your daily life, impacting on your capacity to function as you had been, then it is time to act.

Mood disorders (of which depression is one) are complex, invasive variations of our regular mood patterns. The complexity usually varies on three dimensions - severity, type (up or down), and duration. The common thread is extremes of emotion.

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CASE STUDY - Take, for example, Dolly, a 16 year old senior.

Dolly has had a comparatively settled life. Her parents owned a small business which has provided well for the family, until her father found the pressure too much and was hospitalised following a 'break down' when she was 13. Since then he has returned to work for someone else and the family has settled into a new routine.

Dolly wants to do well, her parents think a good education is important and have encouraged and supported her desires to go on to tertiary studies.

But lately Dolly has felt that it doesn't matter what she does she can't get the grades. She can't write the way the teachers want, she can't figure it out, she can't think straight, she feels dumb. She's been feeling tired and lethargic which she puts down to studying late at night.

Her mother has noticed that she often withdraws to her room to listen to music that 'makes her sad', but when she tries to talk to her about it, through her tears Dolly tells her mother she's OK.

At other times Dolly gets as angry as hell over things - like the time her parents wouldn't let her go to town to meet her friends on Friday night. She fumed over that for months and every chance she got she let her parents know she felt they didn't trust her, before she burst into tears and ran off.

Her boyfriend also wants to go on to tertiary, and he'll get there for sure. Dolly worries about this because she thinks that he will meet someone better than her and she'll be alone.

She's tried to talk to her teachers but they tell her she'll be all right and to get more rest. Her friends are getting sick of her being 'down' and told her to get a grip. Even her boyfriend is starting to wonder about their relationship. Dolly feels like nothing can make it better.

Other Mood disorders-
Depressive & Bipolar Disorders
Eating disorders - anorexia and bulimea
Disruptive behaviour disorders
Anxiety disorders
Substance related disorders
Attention Deficit Disorders
Phobias

Psychological conditions reflected through physical symptoms -
Somatoform Disorders
Personality Disorders