Adolescence Essay 10

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people age 15 to 34 years of age (Center for Disease Control [CDC], 2015). More than 25% of all high school age adolescents in the United States who took part in a youth risk behavior survey felt symptoms of depression almost every day for two or more consecutive weeks (CDC, 2012). Adolescents who are depressed are at higher risk for suicide. Early recognition and treatment is crucial to preventing suicide attempts (King & Vidourek, 2012). Screening for adolescent depression is an important step in implementing the Institute of Medicine (2001) recommendation for improving safety in health care. In addition, the care provided must be patient centered and equitable. This quality improvement project aims to provide screening for adolescent depression for all patients age 12 years and older during routine well-child visits.

Statistics show suicide to be the third leading cause of death among 13-19 year olds, with approximately 6000 suicide deaths each year (Dickinson 1999). Because of statistics like this, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) researchers are vying to find interventions to help prevent suicide among children and adolescents. However, until then, the best prevention appears to lie in early diagnosis

Adolescent stress is an important part of their lives and it is important for it to be monitored regularly in order for them to feel the benefit of learning important stress management skills. About 39% of the adolescents undergo depression at one point or another and they seem to handle their problems in a way that is constructive. This stress and depression ranges from mild to severe with the young people often relying on negative or passive behaviors in their attempts to deal effectively with their problems. Stress is usually characterized by frustration, sadness, worry, tension and withdrawal. There are many reasons that lead to stress in adolescents and younger people. Various studies have been conducted to determine the causes of stress among adolescents. The

It is important to note that not all children have all of these symptoms. Most children will display different symptoms at different times and in different settings. Although some children may continue to function reasonably well in structured environments, most kids with significant depression will suffer a noticeable change in social activities, loss of interest in school and poor academic performance, or a change in appearance. It is also common that children may also begin using drugs or alcohol, especially if they are over the age of twelve. Suicide is a very real concern in today’s young depressed population young, it is a fact that children do attempt suicide (Stone, 2014). Many children may do so impulsively when they are upset or angry. Girls are more likely to attempt suicide, but boys are more likely to actually kill themselves

(372) In adolescent’s fatal illness are so uncommon that suicide is the third leading cause of death. About half of teenage suicides have been tied to clinical depression, low self-esteem, and feelings of hopelessness. Teenagers who have tried to kill themselves seem to also struggle with anger and impulsiveness and have deficiencies with their ability to sort out and solve problems; they may also have alcohol or drug problems (Comer, 2013, pp. 303). With this in mind some of the factors that make adolescent predominantly at risk for suicide are: societal factors, weakening family ties, easy access and pressure to use drugs and alcohol, and not to mention the detailed descriptions of suicide that the media has shown(Comer, 2013, pp. 304). Adolescent is a time of growth and self discovery so, it’s no wonder teenagers who attempt or consider suicide are under a great deal of stress. Teenagers seem to react more sensitively, angrily, dramatically, or impulsively which may be why suicidal acts in times of stress seem to be increasing. I’m not saying all teenagers have tried to commit suicide, but the ones that have either accomplished the deed or attempt to. The ones that attempt to seem to have higher

Bipolar disorder is most commonly found in adults, but it usually starts during the childhood and adolescent years. Historical data with youth suggest that the overall prevalence of bipolar disorders in children is approximately 1% of the population, a rate similar to that in adulthood and lower than most other childhood mental illnesses (Apps J, Winkler J, & Jandrisevits MD, 2008). Strober et al said that 54 adolescents with bipolar I disorder over a period of 5 years and reported a high rate of recovery (96%) from the index episodes, and a moderate rate of relapse (44%) (Birmaher, 2013). In the Indian study 30 bipolar subjects with onset in childhood and adolescence were assessed systematically at baseline and 4-5 years later (Birmaher, 2013). Adolescents with bipolar disorder are at increased risk for completed suicides. Strober et al. reported medically significant suicide attempts in 20% of their adolescent sample (Birmaher, 2013).

Although only 15 to 20 percent of teenagers are diagnosed with depression annually, the entire adolescent

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Suicide prevalence is on the rise amongst adolescents and young adults. It is the third leading cause of death for individuals from age 15-24. It is believed that on average, one suicide occurs every 17 minutes and a young person dies by suicide every 2 hours and 12 minutes (Caruso, 2004, p. 11). It is hard for one to believe that life’s demands, problems and hassles could have such an impact on adolescents. Some adolescents are really hard on themselves to the point that they don’t know how to have fun. Adolescents should be enjoying their youth, doing the things that teenagers do, but in today’s society, even those things that should be fun and enjoyable are stressful. In my opinion, adolescents sometimes take on the pressures and expectations of others which can

Adolescence is marked as a critical transitioning period where individuals undergo through various types of changes such as physical, emotional, and cognitive maturation. Furthermore, many researchers have accounted spirituality and religiosity as vital assets of development for youth as it provides morals, ideals, and a positive self-image. Spirituality is having an intimate experience of the sacred and divine, while religiosity correlates with organized religion. Religiosity embodies beliefs, practices, and rituals. In general, it is believed that adolescents who have been introduced to religion or some type of spirituality tend to have lower levels of anxiety and are less likely to develop maladaptive psychological adjustments.

The DSM states “having five or more symptoms present during the same two week period and represent a change from precious functioning at least one of the symptoms is either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure” (American Psychiatric Association:, 2013). Some other “behavioral patterns are running away from home, accident-proneness; aggressive acting out; temper tantrums; self-criticism; social withdrawal and loneliness; extreme sensitivity to criticism by others; low tolerance of frustration’ sleep problems; dark fantasies, daydreams or hallucinations; marked personality change; and overwhelming interest in death and suicide.” (Comer, 2014) This is why depression and suicidal behavior is harder to recognize and are not treated. “Depression can be difficult to diagnose in teens because adults may expect teens to act moody. In addition, adolescents do not always understand or express their feelings very well. They may not be aware of the symptoms of depression and may not seek help” ("DEPRESSION IN TEENS"). Therefore, when a teen is suffering from depression and feeling suicidal it is important to help them seek help by just asking them if they are feeling suicidal and then help them take the appropriate steps to find and receive help. “About 5 percent of children and adolescents in the general population suffer from depression at any given point in time” (Shaffer,

It is apparent that children are taking in music from numerous sources in their everyday lives. The psychology of an adolescence gives a unique look on how certain stimuli, such as music, can affect the way they think, and more importantly, act. The first place to look would be the brain, looking into what makes up these processes. The teenage brain is an ever-changing organ, that it constantly molding to stimuli that affect it on a daily basis. This stimulus includes music, which has similar effects, as would food, drugs, and sex (Kassem, 2014). In the vast majority of individuals, listening and even participating in music can affect both behavior and emotions.

Today’s teenagers are faced with the ever changing world around them and the biological changes of their bodies. Many teens are also faced with depression. Approximately half of teenagers with untreated depression may attempt suicide, which remains the third leading cause of death in this age group. (Bostic). This depression affects their school, family lives, and robs them of their self image. Depression affects many teens and often goes by unnoticed and untreated.

Adolescence is a period of physical and psychological development from the onset of puberty to maturity. The adolescent is no longer a child, but they haven’t yet reached adulthood. Adolescence is considered people between the ages of 13 and 21. Puberty is the physical maturing that makes an individual capable of sexual reproduction. Puberty is important to adolescence because when a child hits puberty, that’s when the child is becoming an adolescent. Puberty is a big part of an adolescent’s life.

Adolescence is the period of development from ages 10-21, it is the period between childhood and adulthood (McGraw Hill Education, 2015) It is a time of confusion and exploration. This stage continues until a person is holding a full time job, economic independence, and taking responsibility to oneself (Santrock, 2011, p. 344). As a 16 year old female I am in the midst of all these changes and can relate many themes to myself and my own experiences.