Teenagers

For most boys and girls, adolescence starts between the ages of 10 and 14 and continues until 19 or 21. The child becomes introspective again, often giving both himself/herself and his/her parents a rough time.

For the teenager, it is a time of concern about many things: acne, weight problems, menstruation, late development, early development, sexual arousal, school pressures, boredom, parental hassles, peer pressures and money problems.

It is a time of confused feelings, particularly in relationships with parents. Teenagers fight for independence yet fear too much freedom; they resent overprotection but need and want parental attention.

For parents, it is a challenge to keep a balanced view of their teenager's emotional roller coaster ride. As their children bounce back and forth between childhood and adulthood, parents often do not know what to expect. They must discipline when needed, yet understand their teenager's growing need for independent action.

Parents need to remember that life is stormy for all teenagers, that moodiness and changing interests are normal and that a certain amount of rebellion is not only usual but healthy.

The following is a list of early symptoms developed by families who have an adolescent who is severely emotionally disturbed. Many of the behaviors are within the range of normal responses; however, it was the conclusion of the group that, even with the mildest of symptoms, there was a vague yet distinct awareness that the behavior was "unusual."

• Depression (noted by everyone).
• Excessive sleeping or an inability to sleep for extended periods of time.
• Social withdrawal and isolation.
• Shift to unusual behavior, basic personality change.
• Deterioration of school performance.
• Deterioration of social relationships.
• Hyperactive or inactive (or alternating between the two).
• Inability to concentrate or cope with minor problems.
• Repeated expressions of worthlessness.
• Extreme religiosity or preoccupation with the occult.
• Dropping out of activities and out of life in general.
• Deterioration and abandonment of personal hygiene.
• Attempts to escape through geographic change; frequent moving or hitch-hiking trips.
• Excessive writing or printing without apparent meaning.
• Inappropriate laughter.
• Bizarre behavior (hopping, wearing only torn clothing, applying strange make-up).

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