Growing up is hard: mental disorders in adolescence.

摘要: “It’s only in early youth […] that a man perceives things all their sharpness and freshness; the rest of his life he feeds on experience.” (Hermann Hesse, e1) Puberty is set biological processes marking transition from childhood to adulthood. Adolescence, other hand, what has been called “psychosocial puberty,” consisting essential steps mental social development. The physical changes puberty include, among others, growth spurt, maturation primary secondary sexual characteristics, sex-specific redistribution muscle adipose tissue. In parallel with this development, young people are faced increasing demands parents, teachers, environment. experience sexuality its physiological, cultural, personal dimensions further element phase life. typical developmental tasks adolescence listed Box 1. Box 1 Developmental adolescence* Assuming role one’s sex Accepting bodily changes Separating parents Developing world view Constructing future perspectives (vocational training, preparing for university-level education) Establishing peer group *modified (1) In adolescence, parents wider family lose some significance as group takes greater influence. particularly influential such areas appearance, clothing, leisure activities, attitude school, although often join groups whose values resemble those (e2). Piercing, example, markedly more common lower strata than higher ones (2), 9% adolescents recent German survey said they could hardly get along or not at (2). The cause disorders The fact disorders become explained by joint effects intensive brain reorganization placed individual her environment. Adolescence commonly divided into early, middle, late age 11 14, 15 17, 18 21, respectively. basic neuroanatomical occur include relative diminution cerebral gray matter (probably due synaptic pruning) an increase white matter. Adolescence can be end when development ends, around 20 (3); psychosocial terms, marked assumption mature responsibility terms work, partnerships, parenthood. This “remodeling phase” now thought characterized imbalance between systems responsible “cognitive control” one emotion regulation other. According hypothesis, so-called affective system, which mainly responds rewards emotional stimuli, molded hormonal while cognitive control system develops continually throughout It that, long process remains incomplete, limbic system—associated motivational stimuli—tends prevail over prefrontal cortex, exercises functions. This may explain fluctuations motivation mood adolescence. Although generally no pathological significance, “systems imbalance” also account large measure incidence impulse-control period (4). The influence behavior should interpreted biologically deterministic sense; rather, it seen several mechanisms biopsychosocial conception origins group. Clearly, factors, genetic predisposition, sex, earlier experiences, influences, familial societal structures, play major roles well. Our purpose writing review acquaint readers concept, based current scientific understanding, largely because increased vulnerability numerous reorganizing taking place (4), interaction K. R. Eissler (e3) described adolescent patients “neurotic time almost psychotic another.” This, course, literally true, but nonetheless vividly suggests thoroughgoing fluctuating typify (5). The adolescence Adolescence 20. Studies countries have shown five suffers disorder (6). BELLA study, was investigation health questionnaire within framework epidemiological children Germany (KiGGS), revealed abnormalities 24.9% boys 22.2% girls aged 14 17; these abnormalities, however, were necessarily equivalent psychiatric diagnoses (7).