MENTAL HEALTH in Adolescence

7/28/2019 MENTAL HEALTH in Adolescence

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Define mental health, mental healthproblems and mental disorder.

Describe the kind of mental disordersand other mental health problems thatadolescent face


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Identify ways by which by which mentalhealth problems in adolescents can be

recognized and assessed List ways of how service providers may

appropriately respond to and helpadolescent with mental health problems


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a state of well being characterized by

ones ability to function properly on

account of ones capacity to think

rationally, exhibit appropriate behavior,

and feel good about oneself


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A health phenomenon where the individual

is unable to function productively as a result

of a disturbance in rational thinking that

manifests itself in the way a person

behaves.

The problem may come in different forms

and may lead to emotional and thinkingdisturbance as a result of identity crisis,

learning problems, poverty or other causes

of stress


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A medically diagnosable illness that results

in significant impairment of ones cognitive,

affective or relational abilities and is

equivalent to mental illness


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Mild Moderate Severe

1. Usually short-lived; disappearsw/ resolution ofthe problem

2. Verbalizedworries

3. Temporarydisorientation

1. Needs medicalandpsychologicalintervention andmay take weeksto resolve

2. May be due toshock from an

extremelyunpleasantexperience

1. Needs psychiatricinterventions andlonger time toresolve

2. Manifested indeviations it maylead topersonality

deterioration


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internalizing problems

externalizing problems

school attendance problem andunderachievement

suicidal thoughts

identity problem

mental disorders


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may come saying that they are frightened, worriedor feeling very miserable

may say that their thinking is not right and they

cannot study properly may be brought because they are behaving

aggressively or strangely, or may have tried toharm themselves

may be saying that they wish they were dead, oreven say they have thought of killing themselves.


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are often masked by ill-defines physical symptoms unexplained disorder which often does not make

medical sense and which often takes the youngperson to many different service providers andhealers looking for help

sleep problems or unexplained tiredness feeling their hearts pounding, dizziness, trembling

hands and sweating

headaches, eye aches, chest pains or abdominalpains poor appetite and loss of weight


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running away

signs that the young person has beenhaving unprotected sex

unwanted pregnancy

drug abuse or alcohol intoxication or theafter-effects of it

anxiety, depression


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The following questions may help theparents/teachers or counselors assess

whether to handle the situation on theirown or to seek the assistance of acompetent mental health professional.


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Does your child get easily rattled? Is she tense orhigh strung?

When things go wrong, does the child get upsetand nervous instead of thinking of a solution?

Does the child often complain of body pains ordiscomfort that never seem to go away?

Does the child have trouble making up his mind ormaking decisions

Does the child check on things over and overagain so that he ends up accomplishing nothing?


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Does the child play around with her foodbut consumes little?

Is the child on a diet all the time?

Does the child weigh herself several times aday?

Does the child take laxatives?

Does the child vomit or have the impulse to

vomit after meals? Is the childs menstrual period regular?


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Does the child have fiery temper? Does the child get annoyed when corrected or

when not given recognition after she has donesomething good?

Is the child easily irritated? When the child is mad, does she say nasty things?

Does she hurt herself or others physically? Does the child find it hard to stick to rules when

losing in a game? Is the child always where the action is or is healways at the center of the action?


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Is the childs grades declining?

Did the child change his set of friends?

Does the child receive phone calls thathe cant explain?

Has the child become careless aboutherself, her clothes, her things?


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Does the child indulge in high risk or sociallyinappropriate behavior such as: use of weapon

suicidal behavior risky driving preoccupation with cults stealing lying

cutting classes running away from home


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Does the child have trouble sleeping through thenight?

Has the childs appetite for food changed?

Does the child tire easily

Is the child bored or dissatisfied?

Is the child sad all the time ?


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Is the child discouraged about the future?

Does the child hate herself

Does the child blame herself for everything badthat happens?

Does the child feel that the world will be better offwithout him?

Source :

Parenting A Special Job for Ordinary People

By: Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists Association of the Philippines, Inc.


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Intensity of the problem: whether theadolescent is, for instance, so depressed

that he/she can hardly move or simplyvery sad

Duration of problem or symptom: beenpresent for many months or is recentoccurrence which may be transient


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Do not be afraid to probe for suicidalthoughts

Different ways of probing- if someone is miserable or sad ask Doyou sometimes feel that life is not worthliving?

- if answer is no , you can ask:


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Frequency: does the problem/symptom or

behavior occur everyday or only

occasionally

Is there a trend? Is the difficulty gradually

becoming worse, or does it appear to be

staying the same

Is it tied to a life event or some kind ofdifficulty, or has it apparently come out of

nowhere


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(a) Do you sometimes think

you might be better of dead

or

(b) have you ever thought of

ending your life?


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If answer is yes, you can ask:

(a) have you thought how you might

do it or (b) have you ever made any

preparation to harm yourself? or

(c) have you ever deliberately harmyourself or tried to kill yourself?


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Psychological approaches

Family Intervention including Counseling /Therapy

Helping those who are suicidal or who wantto harm themselves

Medication

Referral to a Specialist Facility Preventing Adolescent Mental Health

Problems


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Involve the young person in deciding the

nature of the help and the way it is given,

even if it involves taking medication

Get feedback from the adolescent; this

shows respect

Let them know that you are interested in

them as whole persons; do not just focus ona single symptom or behavior


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They need a confidential andwelcoming environment in which to talk;

this may mean giving them a chance tospeak privately

They need to feel that you are someonethey can trust


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Adolescence is a time when a lot of physical,mental and social changes are happening. Somefind it hard to cope with these changes, hencethey are particularly vulnerable to mental health

problems. There are various kinds of help that can be given to

adolescents with mental health problems whichmay require psychological, behavioral, andbiological approaches

Listening and giving friendly advice and support isone of the most important ways of helpingadolescents with mental health problems


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Service providers must always be alert to thepossibility that a physical complaint may bemasking a psychological problem

Expressions of suicide or self-harm must always be

taken seriously by the service providers What matters most in the healing process and

helping relationship is the trust between the youngperson and the service provider


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Supportive family, school and peer environment isvery crucial in the assessment and treatmentstages

Expressions of suicide or self-harm must always betaken seriously by the service providers

Source :Adolescent Health .. A Training Program for

Health and Non-Health Service ProvidersReproduced by World Health Organization


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Nothing you do for children is everwasted. They seem not to notice us,

hovering, averting their eyes, and theyseldom offer thanks, but what we do for

them is never wasted.

Garrison KeillorLeaving Home, Easter (1987)


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THANK YOU

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MENTAL HEALTH in Adolescence