Adolescents & Young Adults
Adolescents & Young Adults The adolescent and teenage years are difficult. The combination of peer and societal pressures, plus the tumultuous life transitions that accompany these years (hormonal, physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and sexual), can make life very challenging during this time. These difficulties often don’t ease and frequently increase as teenagers enter college and early adulthood. The pressures can feel overwhelming and often lead to serious and occasionally dangerous mental health problems , such as: Depression Anxiety Behavioral problems Substance use School problems Phobias Eating disorders Research has demonstrated that most mental health disorders are developmental in nature and typically start early in life. Many people who suffer from mental health difficulties showed signs before they were 24 years old. This is true for conditions that are well known to have onset in childhood, such as autism and ADHD, but also for moo...