Adolescence is an important transition phase in human life. This transition phase brings not only physiological changes but also emotional and psychological changes. Early childhood experiences, upbringing, parental attitudes, family history, etc. are among the important variables that show how adolescence will be shaped. During adolescence, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, mood disorders, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, obsessive -compulsive disorder , conduct disorders, risk-taking behavior (risky sexual behavior, teenage pregnancy, etc.), substance abuse, and eating disorders are among the most frequently observed psychological problems.
Risk Factors for Mental Problems in Adolescence
Risk factors during adolescence are highly sensitive to genetic, environmental and cultural factors.
It is known that any mental illness in a family history is passed on to subsequent generations, that children and young people in subsequent generations are genetically more prone to mental illness, and that this transmission makes them relatively vulnerable to risk.
The rapid physiological growth observed in adolescence includes physical and hormonal changes. In addition to these changes in hormones and metabolism, one of the most important events observed in adolescence is the development of self. Conflicts experienced in terms of identity acquisition, belonging, and sexual orientation, if not resolved healthily, can turn into an identity crisis and lead to different psychological problems.
Not only genetic predisposition, but also environmental factors emerge as important risk factors. Stress or previous traumas make children and adolescents prone to anxiety disorders , depressive symptoms or somatic (physical) complaints. Chronic diseases and/or family attitudes (such as domestic violence, neglect, abuse) are also among the environmental risk factors that trigger mental problems.
Living in low socioeconomic living conditions, being in risky adolescent groups and poverty can be considered as some of the most important cultural/social risk factors.
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Symptoms and Recommendations for Mental Problems in Adolescence
Adolescence is a period when brain development is still ongoing. The frontal lobe , the area of the brain responsible for making decisions, managing emotions, and inhibiting behaviors , continues to develop. This is the most important detail used to explain adolescents’ emotional outbursts, emotional outbursts, risk-taking behaviors, and the details they ignore in their decisions. For this reason, parents should not forget that the differences they observe in their children are behaviors aimed at adaptation during a transitional phase .
Even though parents see someone who is physically developed and even looks like an adult, hormonal and mental development continues during adolescence. Emotional changes triggered by hormonal changes are also part of the process. During this period, the young person is extremely concerned about their body and how they look, and may spend hours in front of the mirror. In addition to their appearance, they are also in search of their own self. This search can be observed in the form of anxiety, anger, and depressive moods. Many parents may feel that they “do not recognize their child” or that “their child is disconnected from them” during this transition phase . They may think that the relationship they established during childhood will continue in the same direction. However, adolescence is the phase in which identity acquisition occurs. During this phase, many young people separate from their parents and may shift to different areas of interest in order to form a healthy identity: for example, they may take a teacher they like at school as an example; they may imitate the behavior of an actor/actress they like; they may emulate a music group they like. Being included in a group and feeling a sense of belonging are the most important needs of young people during adolescence. He/she tries to separate from the environment he/she grew up in and from his/her parents and acts in a way that does not resemble them. Many parents feel anxious at this stage; however, this is a transitional stage and the adolescent needs healthy boundaries in order to complete his/her self-development in a healthy way.
Healthy boundaries; provide the child with the opportunity to individualize without breaking the bond with him/her. It strengthens the communication between the parent and the child. Instead of saying “Don’t come home late”, “Be home at 8pm” is a much healthier boundary. Instead of saying “I don’t want you to meet those people”, saying “If I get to know your friends a little better, I can get more accurate information about them” reduces the conflict between the young person and the parent.
Another important approach when creating healthy boundaries is to keep the child away from risky materials, set limits on violent content, and encourage the child to eat healthy and exercise.
One of the biggest challenges for parents during adolescence is determining which behaviors are normal and which are problematic . Recurrent risk-taking behaviors (such as drinking, substance use, risky sexual behavior, self-harming behavior, suicide attempts, school problems) are areas of concern that parents pay attention to first and are a much more obvious call to seek help. However, even if risk-taking behaviors are not observed, serious emotional changes (such as anxiety, anger, depression) or rapid weight loss (such as an eating disorder) should be a warning sign for parents. In a period when physical changes are so rapid, an adolescent’s efforts to change something about their body can often turn into a psychological problem.
Sudden weight loss, rapid change in peer group, alcohol/substance abuse, sudden mood swings, violence or rebellious behavior accompanied by self-harming behavior can be considered as warning signals that should prompt families to take action quickly to get support. In such cases, it is very important to get support from a mental health professional.
Parents’ awareness of their own emotional states (anxiety, stress, depression, etc.) also positively affects their attitudes towards their children; it can stop conflict before it starts. Every young person wants to feel that their parents are behind them no matter what they do. Parents’ ability to convey this feeling to their children, and to listen to them without judgment or blame, will meet the need for acceptance and improve communication.
In moments of anger, it is very important for parents to control themselves. In some cases, violence can be seen from the adolescent towards the parent. In such moments, the parent must first ensure their own safety. Getting support from someone or getting away from the environment can be one of these. In the later stages, recognizing the things that will trigger this anger and approaching the child/adolescent empathically (making them feel that you understand their feelings) can help eliminate problems before they arise.
Treatment of Problems Observed During Adolescence
It is critical to work in collaboration with the family and school regarding the problems observed during adolescence. The mental health professional gains information by conducting a comprehensive assessment in the areas related to the family’s reason for application. In some cases, various scales and tests are used. In some cases, the reason for application is not the youth’s complaint but the family’s complaint. Following the assessment, an appropriate treatment plan is determined based on the observed problem area, the severity of the problem, the duration of the onset, and the extent to which the functionality in the youth’s/family’s life has deteriorated.
Medical treatment may be initiated to alleviate or eliminate the symptoms related to the problems experienced by the young person . In all circumstances and situations, it is very important that the medication used is prescribed by a mental health specialist (psychiatrist).
Psychotherapy can be started along with or alongside medical treatment . Appropriate psychotherapy methods and techniques are used to support the coping skills of the family and the adolescent regarding the problems they experience, to increase their functionality and adaptation skills, and to eliminate the symptoms. The family is informed about their attitudes during the process and how they should behave; psychoeducation is provided to parents within this scope.
