Problems of Adolescence

One may draw a considerable satisfaction at the rate and quality of growth, as well as development of psychiatry in our country, yet there are areas where a little special attention may mean a timely step in the right direction but more important at the right time. We believe that one such area relates to the problems of adolescence. We are aware that adolescence is phase of human development characterized by the onset of puberty and accompanied by adolescent turmoil. Inspite of this awareness and having ourselves experienced the phenomenon, it is quite surprising that persons in later life often fail to comprehend the particular problems often posed by adolescents. The reason for this may not be difficult to understand because of (i) suddenness of the onset of adolescence produces a sudden change in a child who is usually well adapted to his environment at the end of "latency period", (ii) degree of change (both quantitatively and qualitatively) and instability in behaviour, and (iii) conflict with societal norms and figures of authority. As a consequence there is a tendency to view disruptions of adolescence as deviations from the norm. Undoubtedly controversy exists with regard to the incidence and significance of disturbances in adolescence and thus a need to delineate problems of adolescence in normative and psychiatric terms. Though it is quite difficult to describe adolescence and adolescent turmoil in terms of normality—simply due to the extreme variability of picture—a closer look would reveal that underneath this variable picture a relatively unvarying picture is discernable. This is constituted by forces which are a strange and perplexing (both to an adolescent and to an adult) conglomerate of various, and quite often contradictory, emotions, actions and behaviours. An adolescent is in a twilight zone of childhood clinging and adult grouping, a period of transition characterized by impulsiveness, impatience, acting out, and a mixture of diverse, opposite and extreme feelings. Confusions, instabilities, and uncertainties prevail. Sense of identity is put to test. Emotions fluctuate between love and hate, sadness and excitement, and infatuation and disenchantment. There is a tendency to experiment with sexual and aggressive impulses, and a desire to change and refusal to change. The sense of belonging which was previously related to the family is now sought beyond the family in social ties that require different criteria for membership, acceptance and identity. It should be apparent that as long as these forces, …