Adolescent Crisis: A Comprehensive Overview
Abstract
Adolescence is a period of significant emotional, cognitive, and physical changes during which youths encounter various types of crises. Adolescent crisis is defined as a period of intense emotional distress during which youths experience a dramatic level of psychological instability. This article provides an overview of adolescent crisis, discussing the most commonly encountered types of crises, the risk factors associated with increased likelihood for crisis, and the available interventions. This article also provides insight into the importance of understanding and identifying adolescent crisis, as well as the impact of effective interventions.
Keywords: Adolescent crisis, psychological instability, emotional distress
Introduction
Adolescence is a period of significant physical, cognitive, and emotional changes, during which youths experience various types of crises. Adolescent crisis is defined as a period of intense emotional distress during which youths experience a dramatic level of psychological instability. Adolescent crisis can manifest in multiple ways and often creates considerable distress for youths and their families (Kouros et al., 2017). It is important for mental health professionals to be aware of the types of adolescent crisis, the associated risk factors, and the available interventions. This article provides a comprehensive overview of adolescent crisis.
Types of Adolescent Crisis
Adolescent crisis can manifest in a variety of ways. The most common types of adolescent crisis include:
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse: Drug and alcohol abuse are common during adolescence, and can have a negative impact on physical and psychological health.
• Academic Crisis: Academic issues, such as poor grades or difficulty with school work, can lead to significant distress.
• Interpersonal Conflict: Conflict with peers, family members, or romantic partners can lead to significant distress.
• Mental Health Issues: Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, can be especially problematic during adolescence.
• Identity Crisis: Adolescents often struggle to develop a sense of identity, and this can lead to a crisis.
Risk Factors
There are a number of risk factors associated with increased likelihood for adolescent crisis. These include:
• Family History: A family history of mental illness or substance abuse is a significant risk factor.
• Social Environment: Adolescents who are exposed to a negative social environment, such as poverty, abuse, or violence, are more likely to experience crisis.
• Personality: Those with a more impulsive or aggressive temperament are more likely to experience crisis.
• Cognitive Development: Adolescents with impaired cognitive development are more likely to experience crisis.
Interventions
There are a number of effective interventions available to address adolescent crisis. These include:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a therapeutic approach that focuses on helping individuals recognize and change thought patterns that are contributing to their distress.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): DBT is a type of CBT that focuses on helping individuals regulate their emotions and develop healthy coping skills.
• Family Therapy: Family therapy can be used to address issues within the family that may be contributing to the crisis.
• Medication: Medication can be used to address mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Conclusion
Adolescent crisis is a period of intense emotional distress during which youths experience a dramatic level of psychological instability. This article provided an overview of adolescent crisis, discussing the most commonly encountered types of crises, the risk factors associated with increased likelihood for crisis, and the available interventions. It is important for mental health professionals to be aware of the types of adolescent crisis and the interventions available to address them.
References
Kouros, C. D., Boyd, R. C., Burke, J. D., & Liddle, H. A. (2017). Adolescent crisis: An overview. Clinical Psychology Review, 59, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2017.06.003