Adolescent development and mental health

Question 1

Adolescent developmental tasks

Answer 1

Puberty and completion of growth
New cognitive skills
Personal and sexual identity
Development of autonomy
Establishment of intimate relationships with peers

Question 2

How can developmental disorders affect adolescence

Answer 2

The disorder may impact on the developmental tasks associated with adolescence

Disturbance in developmental tasks may be risk factors for development of a disorder.

Question 3

Developmental disorders common in adolescence

Answer 3

ADHD
ASD
Tourettes

Question 4

Patients with ADHD experience difficulties in..?

Answer 4

Inattention

Hyperactivity

Impulsivity - can lead to exploratory behaviours. May cause drug misuse, crime

Question 5

Patients with ASD have difficulties in…?

Answer 5

Disturbance of social interaction - may have difficulty in developing intimate relationships

Difficulties in communication

Repeated patterns of behaviour and interests - rigid moral thinking

Difficulties with empathy - cause difficulty in social relationships

Question 6

Anorexia nervosa

Answer 6

Normally starts in adolescence. Mostly girls. Morbid fear of fatness, disturbed body image, excessive exercising.

Characteristics: significant weight loss, restricted eating, amenorrhoea.

Question 7

Characteristics of ADHD

Answer 7

Difficulty maintaining attention
Avoidance behaviour
Impulsivemess
Difficulty organising tasks and activities

Question 8

Treatment of ADHD

Answer 8

Pharmacological: Ritalin, Sexedrine, Strattera

Therapy: psychoterapy, behavioral, parenting skills, social skills

Diet: high protein, carbohydrate replacement

Question 9

Types of bullying

Answer 9

Physical. Pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching and other forms of violence or threats

Verbal. Name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing

Emotional. Excluding, tormenting, ridicule, humiliation

Racist. Racial taunts, graffiti, gestures

Sexual. Unwanted physical contact or abusive comments.

Homophobic. Any hostile or offensive action against lesbians, gay males or bisexuals or those perceived to be lesbian, gay or bisexual.

Question 10

Dealing with bullying

Answer 10

Individual: learning to be assertive, calm and confident

Interaction: finding people to help, knowing your rights, looking out for vulnerable

Environment: clear rules and ethos, open discussion, agreed sanction

Question 11

Ways of promoting young people’s mental health

Answer 11

increase young people’s knowledge of mental health problems and mental health issues

provide help on what to do if they are worried about themselves or a friend

challenge stigma