Chapter 13- Adolescent Problems

Biopsychosocial approach

Biological, psychological, and social factors

Biological factors; internal changes

• Possible brain damage

• Genetics

• Chemical imbalance

Example of chemical imbalance

Major depression treated with depressant drugs

Psychological factors; external changes

• Distorted thoughts

• Emotional distress

• Inappropriate learning ‘troubled relationships’

Inappropriate learning examples

• Irrational thinking

• anxiety

• shoplifting 

• abandonment issues

Social factors 

• Socio economic status

• Neighborhood quality

Developmental psychopathology approach

Explores development pathways of problems

Internalizing problems

Turn problems inward

• depression

• passive aggressiveness

• over controlled

Externalizing problems

Turn problems outward

• juvenile delinquent

• lack of self-control

• overt (violent)

Early childhood

fear 

Mid/ late childhood =

school

Adolescence

drugs

Depression, truancy, and substance abuse were more common among 

older adolescents

Arguing, fighting, and being loud are more common in

younger adolescents

Adolescents that have a lower SES generally have

more problems

• they are under controlled or externalized

Male’s problems are typically

under controlled and externalizing

Female’s problems are typically

over controlled and internalizing

Most often referral to mental health clinics

depression and poor school performance

Predictors of adolescent problems

• poverty

• ineffective parenting

• menta disorders of parents

• unmarried

• separated/ divorced

Why to adolescents do drugs?

• feels good

• escape reality

• curiosity

• peer pressure

  • “to fit in”

General use of drugs in adolescence is

decreasing

Tolerance

it takes a greater amount of a substance to produce the same effect

Physical dependence

psycial need for a drug

Withdrawal

undesirable, intense pain, or craving for drug

Psychological dependence

take drug in order to cope with problems or stress

__ has the highest rate of adolescent drug use in the world

the United States

Most widely used drug by adolescents

Alcohol

3rd leading killer

alcohol

Alcohol is a — but in small doses can be a

depressant; simulant

__ of abusive acts of male on female is due to alcohol.

65%

Large amounts of alcohol lead to:

• slowing down of functions

• slurred speech

• slower reaction time 

• drowsiness

• coma

— of college students are heavy drinkers

50%

LSD is a __.

hallucinogen

LSD

• very unpredictable

• synthetic

• no physical dependence

Marijuana is a __.

hallucinogen

Marijuana

• organic

• thc is active ingredient

• metabolizes very slowly

Stimulants

drugs that increase activity of the central nervous system

Examples of stimulants

• caffeine

• nicotine

• amphetamines

• cocaine

Stimulants __ heart rate, breathing, body tempurature

increase

Stimulants __ appetite.

decrease

After effects of stimulants

tiredness, irritable, depressed, and headaches

Substance most used on a daily basis

cigarettes

kids are most likely to start smoking in grades

seventh - ninth

Cocaine is a __.

stimulant

powder form of cocaine is

snorted

liquid form of cocaine is

injected

crystalized form of cocaine is

smoked

This stimulant is fast acting on the nervous system leading to a feeling of euphoria follwoed by depression, exhaustion, inability to sleep, and irritability

Cocaine

Amphetamines

• pep pills

• uppers

• red

Common uses for amphetamines

diet pills and stay awake pills

__ of females have used the diet pills.

40%

Depressants

drugs that decreases activity in the central nervous system.

Examples of depressants

Alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, tranquilizers

Barbiturates ___

induce sleep and reduce anxiety

Tranquilizers primarily __

reduce anxiety and induce relaxation

Opiates 

commonly known as narcotics

Morphine an heroin are examples of

opiates

opiates cause feelings of

euphoria, pain relief, and increase in appetite

Bulimia / purging

consistent pattern of eating in which the person binges then purges 

Anorexia

the relentless pursuit of being thin; can lead to death

Three criteria for anorexia

1. weighing less than 85% of normal weight for age

2. intense fear of gaining weight

3. having a distorted body image

Suicide

3rd leading cause of death among 10-19 year olds

Females are more likely to __ suicide; passive methods

attempt

Males are more likely to __ in suicide; active methods

succeed

Distal

Early experiences

Proximal

Recent experiences

Suicide psychological profile

Depression, overly self-critical, sense of hopelessness

The earlier the onset, the __ the long term risk

greater

College students drink __ than kids who end their education after high school.

more

Kids who don’t go to college are ___ to smoke more.

more likely

Juvenile delinquency

not yet an adult who fails to do what duty or law requires

Socially unacceptable behavior

Pranks, detention, etc..

Status offense

Ungovernable, drinking, smoking, gambling, running way from home, misdemeanor

Index offense

Felony offense, crime regardless of age

Conduct disorder

• persistent pattern of conduct in which the basic rights of others are violated

• multiple behaviors

• over a six month period

• occurs before age 15

nearly ___ kids per year are arrested

3 million

Depression is more commonly diagnosed in __.

females

Treatment for depression

• anti depressant medication

• cognitive behavioral therapy

Diagnosis for depression

must experience at least five of nine symptoms consistently for at least 14 days

Bulimia / non-purging

Consistent pattern of eating in which the person doesn’t purge after