advice for adolescent

1. Adolescent Development

2. Physical
Introduction
 The term adolescence comes from the Latin verb
adolescere, which means “to go into
adulthood.”
 Transition between childhood and adulthood
 From about the ages of 11-19
 Adolescence is a period of rapid physical,
cognitive,
sexual, social and emotional changes.
 It is an adjustment period for the adolescent,
their parents, and those who are in
frequent contact with them.
Cognitive
Sexual
Social
Emotiona
l

3. Important Statistics
 Every year 3 million teens--about 1 in 4 sexually active teens -- get
a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
 One-third of all smokers had their first cigarette by the age of 14.
Ninety percent of all smokers begin before the age of 21
 Individuals who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times
more likely to become alcohol dependent than those who begin
drinking at age 21.
 Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youths ages 15 to
20.

4. What is “normal” difficult behavior?
“Normal” Difficult Behavior
 Moodiness
 Less affection shown to parents
 Greatly influenced by peers
 Preoccupation with sex
 Masturbation
 Very occasional experimentation
with cigarettes or alcohol
 Extremely self-involved
 Self- conscious
Developmental Goal during Adolescence: The child develops
self identity and the capacity for intimacy.
Cries for HelpCries for Help
Regular use of alcohol and/orRegular use of alcohol and/or
other drugsother drugs
Sexual promiscuitySexual promiscuity
Lying or stealingLying or stealing
Destructive or delinquent behaviorDestructive or delinquent behavior
Poor school behaviorPoor school behavior
Persistent Negative attitudePersistent Negative attitude
Frequent temper outburstsFrequent temper outbursts
Extreme fear of leaving homeExtreme fear of leaving home
Suicidal ideas or suicide attemptSuicidal ideas or suicide attempt

5. What can we do?
• Knowledge about what changes and behaviors during
adolescence are normal can go a long way in helping
both teens and adults manage the transition
successfully:
• Don’t criticize or compare teens to others
• Encourage them to get enough sleep
• Model and encourage healthy eating habits and
physical activities
• Be understanding about their needs for space and
privacy
• Provide honest and accurate information about sex
• Be patient of excessive time spent grooming

6. Cognitive Development
 Adolescence appears to begin with a series of changes in
cognitive ability, thinking and reasoning.
 Developing abstract thinking skills.
 Systematic searching for solutions

7. Movement towards Independence
 Struggle with sense of identity
 Feeling awkward or strange about one’s self and
one’s body
 Focus on self, alternating between high
expectations and poor self-esteem
 Interests and clothing style influenced by peers
 Moodiness
 Improved ability to express one’s self
 Identification of parents faults
 Less overt affections shown to parents
 Complaints of parental interference
 Tendency to return to childish behavior
Middle School to Early High School Years

8. Sexuality
 Displays shyness, blushing and modesty
 Girls develop physically sooner than boys
 Increased interest in sex
 Movement towards heterosexuality with fears of
homosexuality
 Concerns regarding physical and sexual attractiveness
to others
 Frequently changing relationships
Middle School to Early High School Years

9. Sexuality
 Feelings of love and passion
 Development of more serious relationships
 Firmer sense of sexual identity
 Increased capacity for tender and sensual love
Late high school years and beyond

10. Introduction to Problems in Adolescents
For most children, adolescence is a period of good physical health. The
most common problems during adolescence relate to
Growth and development
•School
•Childhood illnesses that continue into adolescence
•Mental health disorders
Consequences of risky or illegal behaviors (including injury, legal
consequences, pregnancy
•Leading causes of death and disability among adolescents are
Unintentional injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes
•Injuries resulting from interpersonal violence

11. Behavioral Problems in
Adolescents
•Regular drinking
•Frequent episodes of fighting
•Theft
•Deterioration of performance at school
•Running away from home

12. BEHAVIOURAL CONTROL
•Parents guide rather than directly control the
adolescents' actions.
•Adolescents who feel warmth and support
from their parents are less likely to engage in
risky behaviors
•Monitoring are less likely to engage in risky
behaviors
•Adolescents initially are given small bits of
responsibility and freedom (such as caring for
a pet, doing household chores, picking out
clothing, or decorating their room).

13. EXTERME BEHAVIOURAL
PROBLEMS
•Adolescents whose behavior is dangerous or
otherwise unacceptable despite their parents'
best efforts may need professional
intervention.
• Behavioral problems also may be a symptom
of learning disabilities, depression, or other
mental health disorders.
•Such disorders typically require counseling
and mental health disorders often also require
treatment with drugs.

14. Contraception and
Adolescent Pregnancy
•Many adolescents engage in sexual activity but may
not be fully informed about contraception, pregnancy,
and sexually transmitted diseases, including human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
SOLUTIONS
•Family counseling and education about contraceptive
methods, for both the girl and her partner, can be very
helpful.
•It is important for parents to express their support and
willingness to help the adolescent sort through his or her
choices.
•Parents and adolescents need to communicate openly
about abortion, adoption, and parenthood—all tough
options for the adolescent to struggle with alone.

15. Obesity in Adolescents
Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI)
equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for
age and gender.
•Although genetics and some disorders cause
obesity, most adolescent obesity results from a
lack of physical activity and overeating.
•Eating a nutritious diet and increasing exercise
help treat obesity.
Causes
•many obese adolescents have a poor self-
image and may become increasingly socially
isolated.

16. Treatment
•Healthy eating and exercise habits
•Calorie intake
•Establishing a well-balanced diet of ordinary
foods
•Making permanent changes in eating habits
•Calorie burning is increased by
Increasing physical activity
•Counseling to help adolescents cope with social
problems, including poor self-esteem, may be
helpful.

17. Overview of Psychosocial
Problems in Adolescents
•Psychologic and social problems, particularly
involving behavior and school issues, are more
common during adolescence than at any other
time during childhood.
•In particular, depression, anxiety, and eating
disorders are common during adolescence.
• Adolescents who have psychosocial problems,
anxiety, or depression may have physical
symptoms such as fatigue or chronic fatigue,
dizziness, headache, and abdominal or chest pain.
•Suicide is rare, but thoughts about suicide are more
common. Suicidal ideation may go unnoticed, but,
once it is noticed, the adolescent should receive a
mental health evaluation.

18. Overview of Psychosocial
Problems in Adolescents
• Anxiety often manifests during adolescence
• Eating disorders, especially in girls, are
common.
•Doctors can often identify these problems.
They can offer adolescents practical advice
and, when appropriate, encourage adolescents
to accept treatment provided by specialists.

19. Physical Problems in Adolescent
•Adolescents are susceptible to the same kinds of illnesses
that affect younger children but generally they are a healthy
group. Adolescents should continue to receive vaccinations
according to the recommended schedule
•Injuries are very common among adolescents, and sports-
related and motor vehicle injuries are most frequent. Motor
vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, homicide, and
suicide are the four leading causes of death among
adolescents.
•Disorders that are common among all adolescents include
•Infectious mononucleosis (an infection spread through
saliva)
•Sexually transmitted diseases
•Hormonal disorders

20. Physical Problems in
Adolescent
Disorders that are common among adolescent
girls include
•Urinary tract infections
•Problems with menstruation
•Iron deficiency

21. School Problems in Adolescents
Causes
•School problems during the adolescent years may result from a
combination of Rebellion and a need for independence (most
common)
•Mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression
Substance use (drugs or alcohol)
•Family conflict
•Learning disorders
•Behavior disorders
Diagnosis and Treatment
•In general, adolescents with significant school problems should
undergo a complete learning evaluation and a mental health
evaluation.
•Specific problems are treated as needed, and general support and
encouragement are provided. Changes in the learning environment
and sometimes drug therapy can also be of great help to struggling
adolescents.

22. Substance Use and Abuse in
Adolescents
Alcohol Use in Adolescents
Tobacco Use in Adolescents
The single strongest risk factor for adolescent smoking is
• Having parents who smoke
Other risk factors often associated with starting smoking
during childhood include
•Peers and role models (such as celebrities) who smoke
• Poor school performance

23. Substance Use and Abuse in
Adolescents
Other high-risk behavior such as excessive dieting,
particularly among girls; physical fighting and drunk
driving, particularly among boys; or use of alcohol
or other drugs
•Poor problem-solving abilities
•Availability of cigarettes
•Poor self-esteem
Electronic cigarettes
E-cigarettes contain liquid nicotine, which is the
highly addictive part of tobacco. The liquid may
contain small amounts of toxins, the effects of
which are not currently known.

24. Ten Tips for Parents
1. Educate yourself about adolescent development.
2. Talk to your children about the changes that they will
experience during this time.
3. Create an atmosphere of respect, trust and honesty.
4. Put your self in your child’s place. Sharing your
experiences as a teen may help your child.
5. Pick your battles. Ask yourself, “Is this battle worth
fighting?”

25. Ten Tips for Parents
6. Maintain your level of expectations for your teen. Don’t
write off negative behavior with “He’s just a teen”
7. Know your teen’s friends and keep track of their activities.
8. Know the warning signs when risky behavior becomes
dangerous behavior.
9. Respect your teen’s privacy. You have a right to know
what is going on with your teen but give him/her a little
space.
10. Set boundaries and make rules that are appropriate.