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Human Rights  » Glossery of Syptoms and Mental Illness Affecting Teenagers

Glossery of Syptoms and Mental Illness Affecting Teenagers

Being a teenager is not easy. Adolescents feel all kinds of

pressures -- to do well in school, to be popular with peers, to

gain the approval of parents, to make the team, to be cool. In

addition, many teenagers have other special problems. For

example, they may worry about a parent being out of work or the

family's financial problems.

Adolescents may be hurt or confused by their parents' divorce,

or they may have to learn how to live with a parent's alcoholism

or mental illness. Despite these pressures, it is important to

remember that most teenagers develop into healthy adults.

Unfortunately, some teenagers develop serious emotional problems

requiring professional help. This glossary of brief definitions

was developed to help teenagers, parents, teachers, and others

learn more about the major mental illnesses, symptoms, and

mental health issues which affect teenagers. Please remember:

All the problems described in the glossary are treatable and

some can be prevented. In every case, the sooner a teenager gets

help, the better.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

Use and abuse of drugs and alcohol by teens is very common and

can have serious consequences. In the 15-24 year age range, 50%

of deaths (from accidents, homicides, suicides) involve alcohol

or drug abuse. Drugs and alcohol also contribute to physical and

sexual aggression such as assault or rape. Possible stages of

teenage experience with alcohol and drugs include abstinence

(non-use), experimentation, regular use (both recreational and

compensatory for other problems), abuse, and dependency.

Repeated and regular recreational use can lead to other problems

like anxiety and depression. Some teenagers regularly use drugs

or alcohol to compensate for anxiety, depression, or a lack of

positive social skills. Teen use of tobacco and alcohol should

not be minimized because they can be "gateway drugs" for other

drugs (marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, and

heroin). The combination of teenagers' curiosity, risk taking

behavior, and social pressure make it very difficult to say no.

This leads most teenagers to the questions: "Will it hurt to try

one?"

A teenager with a family history of alcohol or drug abuse and a

lack of pro-social skills can move rapidly from experimentation

to patterns of serious abuse or dependency. Some other teenagers

with no family history of abuse who experiment may also progress

to abuse or dependency. Therefore, there is a good chance that

"one" will hurt you. Teenagers with a family history of alcohol

or drug abuse are particularly advised to abstain and not

experiment. No one can predict for sure who will abuse or become

dependent on drugs except to say the non-user never will.

Warning signs of teenage drug or alcohol abuse may include:

a drop in school performance,

a change in groups of friends,

delinquent behavior, and

deterioration in family relationships.

There may also be physical signs such as red eyes, a persistent

cough, and change in eating and sleeping habits. Alcohol or drug

dependency may include blackouts, withdrawal symptoms, and

further problems in functioning at home, school, or work.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Anorexia Nervosa occurs when an adolescent refuses to maintain

body weight at or above a minimal normal weight for age and

height. The weight loss is usually self-imposed and is usually

less than 85% of expected weight. The condition occurs most

frequently in females, however, it can occur in males.

Generally, the teenager has an intense fear of gaining weight or

becoming fat even though underweight. Self evaluation of body

weight and shape may be distorted and there may be denial of the

potential health hazards caused by the low body weight.

Physical symptoms can include:

absence of regular menstrual cycles

dry skin

low pulse rate, and

low blood pressure

Behavioral changes commonly occur such as:

social withdrawal

irritability

moodiness, and

depression

Without treatment, this disorder can become chronic and with

severe starvation, some teenagers may die.

ANXIETY

Anxiety is the fearful anticipation of further danger or

problems accompanied by an intense unpleasant feeling

(dysphoria) or physical symptoms. Anxiety is not uncommon in

children and adolescents. Anxiety in children may present as:

Separation Anxiety Disorder: Excessive anxiety concerning

separation from home or from those to whom the child is

attached. The youngster may develop excessive worrying to the

point of being reluctant or refusing to go to school, being

alone, or sleeping alone. Repeated nightmares and complaints of

physical symptoms (such as headaches, stomach aches, nausea, or

vomiting) may occur.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Excessive anxiety and worry about

events or activities such as school. The child or adolescent has

difficulty controlling worries. There may also be restlessness,

fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension,

and sleep difficulties. Panic Disorder: The presence of

recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent worries about

having attacks. Panic Attack refers to the sudden onset of

intense apprehension, fearfulness, or terror, often associated

with feelings of impending doom.

There may also be shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain

or discomfort, choking or smothering sensations, and fear of

"going crazy" or losing control. Phobias: Persistent, irrational

fears of a specific object, activity, or situation (such as

flying, heights, animals, receiving an injection, seeing blood).

These intense fears cause the child or adolescent to avoid the

object, activity, or situation.

ATTENTION DEFICIT/ HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)

ADHD is usually first diagnosed during the elementary school

years. In some cases, symptoms continue into adolescence. A

teenager with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder has

problems with paying attention and concentration and/or with

hyperactive and impulsive behavior. Despite good intentions, a

teenager may be unable to listen well, organize work, and follow

directions. Cooperating in sports and games may be difficult.

Acting before thinking can cause problems with parents,

teachers, and friends. These teens may be restless, fidgety, and

unable to sit still.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder occurs more commonly in

boys and symptoms are always present before the age of seven.

Problems related to ADHD appear in multiple areas of a

youngster's life and can be very upsetting to the teen, his/her

family, and people at school. Symptoms of ADHD frequently become

less severe during the late teen years and in young adulthood.

BIPOLAR DISORDER (MANIC DEPRESSION)

Bipolar Disorder is a type of mood disorder with marked changes

in mood between extreme elation or happiness and severe

depression. The periods of elation are termed mania. During this

phase, the teenager has an expansive or irritable mood, can

become hyperactive and agitated, can get by with very little or

no sleep, becomes excessively involved in multiple projects and

activities, and has impaired judgment.

A teenager may indulge in risk taking behaviors, such as sexual

promiscuity and anti-social behaviors. Some teenagers in a manic

phase may develop psychotic symptoms (grandiose delusions and

hallucinations). For a description of the depressive phase see

depression. Bipolar disorder generally occurs before the age of

30 years and may first develop during adolescence.

BULIMIA NERVOSA (BULIMIA)

Bulimia Nervosa occurs when an adolescent has repeated episodes

of binge eating and purging. Binges are characterized by eating

large quantities of food in a discrete period of time. The teen

also has feelings of being unable to stop eating and loss of

control over the amount of food being eaten. Usually, after

binge eating, they attempt to prevent weight gain by

self-induced vomiting, laxative use, diuretics, enemas,

medications, fasting, or excessive exercise. These teen's

self-esteem is strongly affected by weight and body shape.

Serious medical problems can occur with Bulimia Nervosa (e.g.

esophageal or gastric rupture, cardiac arrhythmias, kidney

failure, and seizures). Other psychological problems such as

depression, intense moods, and low self-esteem are common. Early

diagnosis and treatment can improve outcome and decrease the

risk of worsening depression, shame, and harmful weight

fluctuations.

CONDUCT DISORDER

Teenager's with conduct disorder have a repetitive and

persistent pattern of behavior in which they violate the rights

of others, or violate norms or rules that are appropriate to

their age. Their conduct is more serious than the ordinary

mischief and pranks of children and adolescents.

Severe difficulties at home, in school, and in the community are

common, and frequently there is very early sexual activity.

Self-esteem is usually low, although the adolescent may project

an image of "toughness." Teenagers with this disorder have also

been described as "delinquent" or "anti-social." Some teenagers

with conduct disorder may also have symptoms of other

psychiatric disorders (see ADHD, depression, alcohol and drug

abuse).

DEPRESSION

Though the term "depression" can describe a normal human

emotion, it also can refer to a psychiatric disorder. Depressive

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illness in children and adolescents includes a cluster of

symptoms which have been present for at least two weeks.

In addition to feelings of sadness and/or irritability, a

depressive illness includes several of the following:

Change of appetite with either significant weight loss (when not

dieting) or weight gain

Change in sleeping patterns (such as trouble falling asleep,

waking up in the middle of the night, early morning awakening,

or sleeping too much)

Loss of interest in activities formerly enjoyed

Loss of energy, fatigue, feeling slowed down for no

reason, "burned out" Feelings of guilt and self blame for things

that are not one's fault

Inability to concentrate and indecisiveness

Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness

Recurring thought of death and suicide, wishing to die, or

attempting suicide Children and adolescents with depression may

also have symptoms of irritability, grumpiness, and boredom.

They may have vague, non-specific physical complaints

(stomachaches, headaches, etc.). There is an increased incidence

of depressive illness in the children of parents with

significant depression.

LEARNING DISORDERS

Learning Disorders occur when the child or adolescent's reading,

math, or writing skills are substantially below that expected

for age, schooling, and level of intelligence. Approximately 5%

of students in public schools in the United States are

identified as having a learning disorder.

Students with learning disorders may become so frustrated with

their performance in school that by adolescence they may feel

like failures and want to drop out of school or may develop

behavioral problems. Special testing is always required to make

the diagnosis of a learning disorder and to develop appropriate

remedial interventions. Learning disorders should be identified

as early as possible during school years.

OBSESSIVE- COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

Teenagers with OCD have obsessions and/or compulsions. An

obsession refers to recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses,

or images that are intrusive and cause severe anxiety or

distress. Compulsions refer to repetitive behaviors and rituals

(like hand washing, hoarding, ordering, checking) or mental acts

(like counting, repeating words silently, avoiding). The

obsessions and compulsions also significantly interfere with the

teen's normal routine, academic functioning, usual social

activities, or relationships.

PHYSICAL ABUSE

Physical abuse occurs when a person responsible for a child or

adolescent's welfare causes physical injury or harm to the

child. Examples of abusive treatment of children include:

hitting with an object, kicking, burning, scalding, punching,

and threatening or attacking with weapons. Children and

adolescents who have been abused may suffer from depression,

anxiety, low selfesteem, inability to build trusting

relationships, alcohol and drug abuse, learning impairments, and

conduct disorder.

POST- TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

PTSD can occur when a teenager experiences a shocking,

unexpected event that is outside the range of usual human

experience. The trauma is usually so extreme that it can

overwhelm their coping mechanisms and create intense feelings of

fear and helplessness.

The traumatic event may be experienced by the individual

directly (e.g. physical or sexual abuse, assault, rape,

kidnaping, threatened death), by observation (witness of trauma

to another person), or by learning about a trauma affecting a

close relative or friend. Whether teens develop PTSD depends on

a combination of their previous history, the severity of the

traumatic event, and the amount of exposure.

Symptoms include:

Recurrent, intrusive, and distressing memories of the event

Recurrent, distressing dreams of the event.

Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were recurring

Intense psychological distress when exposed to reminders of the

traumatic event and consequent avoidance of those stimuli.

Numbing of general responsiveness (detachment, estrangement from

others, decreased interest in significant activities) Persistent

symptoms of increased arousal (irritability, sleep disturbances,

poor concentration, hyper-vigilance, anxiety).

About the author:

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With Much Love, Arthur Buchanan

President/CEO Out of Darkness & Into the Light 43 Oakwood Ave.

Suite 1012 Huron Ohio, 44839 www.out-of-darkness.com

567-219-0994 (cell)