Overview of Psychosocial Problems in Adolescents

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 Depressive Disorders in Children and Adolescents Depressive disorders are characterized by sadness or irritability that is severe or persistent enough to interfere with functioning or cause considerable distress. Diagnosis is by clinical criteria... read more is common and should be screened for actively. Suicidal ideation Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents Suicidal behavior includes completed suicide, attempted suicide (with at least some intent to die), and suicide gestures; suicidal ideation is thoughts and plans about suicide. Psychiatric referral... read more is also common, and as many as 18.8% of adolescents in the US reported thoughts about suicide in their lifetime (1 General reference 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... read more ). Suicide Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents Suicidal behavior includes completed suicide, attempted suicide (with at least some intent to die), and suicide gestures; suicidal ideation is thoughts and plans about suicide. Psychiatric referral... read more occurred in < 10/100,000 in the US in 2018 (1 General reference 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... read more ). Anxiety Overview of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents Anxiety disorders are characterized by fear, worry, or dread that greatly impairs the ability to function normally and that is disproportionate to the circumstances at hand. Anxiety may result... read more often manifests during adolescence, as do mood disorders and disruptive behavioral disorders Overview of Behavioral Problems in Children Many behaviors exhibited by children or adolescents concern parents or other adults. Behaviors or behavioral patterns become clinically significant if they are frequent or persistent and maladaptive... read more (eg, oppositional defiant disorder Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) Oppositional defiant disorder is a recurrent or persistent pattern of negative, defiant, or even hostile behavior directed at authority figures. Diagnosis is by clinical criteria. Treatment... read more , conduct disorder Conduct Disorder Conduct disorder is a recurrent or persistent pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others or violates major age-appropriate societal norms or rules. Diagnosis is by clinical criteria... read more ). The COVID-19 pandemic and the global response to it, including disruptions in home and school schedules, have increased the rates of depression and anxiety among adolescents. Individuals with thought disorders (psychosis) will often present with a "psychotic break" during adolescence. Eating disorders Introduction to Eating Disorders Eating disorders involve a persistent disturbance of eating or of behavior related to eating that Alters consumption or absorption of food Significantly impairs physical health and/or psychosocial... read more , especially in girls, are common. Some patients go to extraordinary lengths to hide symptoms of an eating disorder.

The clinician who has developed an open, trusting relationship with an adolescent often can identify these problems, develop a therapeutic relationship, offer practical advice and, when appropriate, encourage the adolescent to accept a referral to specialized care.