Overview of psychosocial problems in adolescents

[Lizzy Liz]

Psychologic and social problems, particularly involving behavior and school issues, are more common during adolescence than at any other time during childhood. Adolescents are much more independent and mobile and are often out of the direct control of adults. When misbehavior becomes severe and frequent, adolescents should be evaluated for a psychosocial disorder by a mental health professional. In particular, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders are common during adolescence. Adolescents who have anxiety or mood disorders may have physical symptoms such as fatigue or chronic fatigue, dizziness, headache, and abdominal or chest pain.
Depression is common among adolescents, and doctors actively screen for it during examinations.
Suicide is rare, but thoughts about suicide (called suicidal ideation) are more common. Suicidal ideation requires an immediate mental health evaluation; parents should not be expected to determine how

[Kit]

Clinicians must be aware of the high frequency of psychosocial disorders that occur during this stage of life. Screening for mental health disorders is considered a routine part of adolescent health care. Depression is common and should be screened for actively. Although suicide is a rare occurrence (5/100,000), suicidal ideation is common, with as many as 10% of adolescents reporting thoughts about suicide in their lifetime according to some studies. Anxiety often manifests during adolescence, as do mood disorders and disruptive behavioral disorders (eg, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder). Individuals with thought disorders (psychosis) will often present with a