4 Troubled Teens Blog

Dr. Herbert Hendin believes that measuring the intensity of a person's emotion can determine whether that person is at high risk of attempting suicide. Using a set of nine questions which are collectively called the Affective States Questionnaire, medical professionals can more accurately assess suicide risk, New York's Journal News reported:

"Hendin said his method can detect with greater accuracy than ever before the subtle indicators of suicidal behavior, with fewer false positives than other assessment tools. The tool was even more accurate when applied to patients who displayed risk factors such as substance abuse and poor functioning on the job or in relationships, Hendin said."

Hendin's study involved surveying 283 veterans who were both inpatients and outpatients at the Michael De Bakey VA Medical Center in Houston. He has found that patients on the verge of attempting suicide have a lower tolerance for intense emotions, yet average more than three times more intense emotional episodes than do non-suicidal patients.

Labels: suicide, research, emotional_issues, risky_behaviors

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Hurricane Katrina, the storm that ravaged the Gulf Coast in 2005, has left more than physical destruction in its wake. A new study has found serious emotional disturbances among children who were caught in the storm.

"The study, published in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, showed the estimated prevalence of serious emotional disturbances (SED) among residents was 14.9 percent. Of those, 9.3 percent of youths were believed to have SED that was directly attributable to Hurricane Katrina." [Source: Virginia Tech News]

Youth who lost loved ones had the strongest emotional disturbances, followed by those who were exposed to physical adversity. Russell Jones, professor of psychology in the College of Science at Virginia Tech, said the study points to a substantial need for mental health treatment resources in hurricane-affected areas.

Labels: trauma, emotional_issues, katrina

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Researchers with Temple University have discovered that teenagers develop intellectual maturity before they become emotionally mature.

• Dr. Laurence Steinberg and his colleagues tested 935 people, ages 10 to 30 years old to determine how maturity levels differ and develop as people get older.
  
• Differences in cognitive capacity or intellectual maturity increased from ages 11 to 16 and then showed no improvements after age 16.
  
• However, the results were different when it came to psychosocial maturity.
  
• Compared to teenagers, adults were more likely to demonstrate psychosocial maturity, which enables them to control their emotions, resist peer pressure and appreciate the risk of certain situations.

Dr. Steinberg's research is used to justify the positions of the American Psychological Association about teen pregnancy and teen criminality. In two recent court cases, the APA filed briefs that said teenagers are capable of making informed decisions about whether to end pregnancies but they lack the maturity to be held to adult levels of responsibility if they commit violent crimes.

"It is very difficult for a 16-year-old to resist peer pressure in a heated volatile situation," Dr. Steinberg said. "Most times there is no time to talk to an adult to inject some reason and reality into the situation. Many crimes committed by adolescents are done in groups with other teens that are not premeditated."

When it comes to medical decisions, Dr. Steinberg said, "Adolescents can take the time to understand and weigh options provided by health care practitioners. Rarely are these decisions made in the heat of the moment without consultation with adults. Under such circumstances, adolescents exhibit adult maturity."

The study appeared in the journal American Psychologist.

Labels: emotional_issues, teens, maturity, development

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A Finnish study of more than 7,000 teenagers concluded that inactivity in young people is linked to increased anxiety and depression, as well as to emotional and behavioral problems. Inactive boys and girls suffered from more attention and social problems, such as rule breaking, than teens who exercised often. Inactive girls reported more sleep problems.

"Adolescence is a complicated and sometimes difficult stage of life - emotionally, mentally and physically," the study's author, Marko Kantomaa, said. "Compounding that with negative mental and emotional effects brought on by physical inactivity does not help young people ease into adulthood. Physical activity could be a highly effective and relatively easy way to help that transition."

This study appeared in the journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Labels: emotional_issues, behavioral_issues, exercise

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When Carol Gotbaum headed to the Phoenix airport, she undoubtedly had no idea that the airport's interior would be the last thing she'd ever see. News outlets around the world have repeatedly run the video and accompanying story of her arrest and subsequent death at Phoenix's Sky Harbor. For some, it raises the question "what were the police thinking, leaving a woman alone who was clearly so distraught?" For Kathy Scott, however, it raises a different question: where was Gotbaum's family?

"I do not know her family or the intimate details of their situation, but because I do understand the view many take of mental illness, I can surmise. The family simply did not acknowledge the stranglehold mental or emotional illness has on an individual, and like many others, simply wanted Gotbaum to be provided with the rights and dignity afforded to any other grown woman to make her own decisions and to chart her own course of action. If she chose to travel alone, they let her."

The problem, Scott goes on to say, is that those who suffer from mental and emotional disorders are often in states-of-mind that prevent them from making good, wise decisions. Though friends and family members may cringe at the idea of restricting a loved one's "freedoms", those restrictions can keep them on a safe path toward recovery.

Labels: emotional_issues, mental_health, at_risk

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For many college students, classes, homework, and exams are the least of their troubles. Some face stresses related to emotional issues that far outweigh the typical college pressures - experiences that can lead to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

"Some parents miss the warning signs: a sharp drop in the amount of communication, excessive requests for money, weight fluctuations, depression and fatigue, along with failing grades... According to Outsidetheclassrom.org, a Boston-based company... the introductory weeks are when many abusive habits are formed among college students."

Parents can catch these problems early by communicating regularly with their children to find out how they are really doing. Listen for warning signs of stress or anxiety, such as if the student says he is having trouble sleeping, or refers to a sudden change in appetite. Source: Channel 7 News (Denver, CO)

Labels: stress, emotional_issues, pressures

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Stephen Gavazzi, professor of human development and family science at Ohio State University, has co-authored a study that argues in favor of re-evaluating common wisdom about troubled teens. The study, which looked at how boys and girls handle their problems, tested the common belief that boys act out, while girls internalize.

"In his study, the results showed that Black girls and boys showed similar levels of externalizing and internalizing behavior, once family dysfunction was taken into account. In these families, boys and girls were more likely to show outward aggression if they lived in families with higher levels of dysfunction. Such a relationship was not found in white families."

Gavazzi says the findings shouldn't be surprising. People who study ethnicity and culture have long stated that the importance of family is different for African-American youths than it is for white youths. Gavazzi also believes his results are vital for organizations that help troubled teenagers, though he noted that more research needs to be done to determine how best to use the information. Source: MediLexicon.com

Labels: relationships, emotional_issues, agression

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Researchers have developed a set of criteria that are proving effective in predicting the onset of psychosis in adolescents. The criteria are proving to be effective in 80 percent of the cases where psychosis is eventually diagnosed.

"If the findings are confirmed, the predication model could help doctors identify those at risk for psychotic illness much sooner so that these people can be monitored closely for signs of active psychosis."

The study's authors recruited 291 teens considered 'high-risk' for the development of psychosis. Several factors were taken into consideration when predicting the onset of psychotic illness, including; paranoid thoughts, hearing buzzing sounds, or seeing images that quickly disappeared. The study's authors are hoping to conduct a follow-up study that will research biological indicators as well.

An adolescent residential treatment center, like NorthStar Center, offers treatment for drug addiction to teens and young adults who are ready to get on with their lives in a healthy, positive lifestyle.

Labels: emotional_issues, psychiatric_illness, teens

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Mental disorders can be difficult to diagnose in teenagers. Because the adolescent years are already emotional and tumultuous, changes in personality, or extreme mood swings are considered typical teen "growing pains". But how can parents know for sure?

"[Dr. Kristin Cadenhead] urges parents to get their children evaluated by a mental health expert if they exhibit noticeable changes in thoughts, behavior or emotions... 'We don't want to alarm an individual or a family. More than 70 percent of young people who appear (to be in distress) will not necessarily develop a psychotic disorder,' she says. 'Our goal is to identify a psychotic illness before it fully starts, so we can intervene earlier and help prevent some of the devastating effects of the illness.'

"The key for parents is paying attention to changes in their children's moods and behaviors. If changes seem to be extreme, solicit the help of a professional. This may mean having the child evaluated, or may simply mean having a conversation with someone who can help you better understand your child.

A good residential treatment program, like Youth Care in Utah, can help diagnosis troubled teens and then create a treatment plan. Visit www.youthcare.com to learn more.

Labels: brain_chemistry, emotional_issues, mental_health

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'Cutting', the act of intentionally making cuts in the skin with a razor, knife or other sharp object as a way of coping with strong emotions, came to the forefront of our society in the 1990s, when Princess Diana admitted she'd practiced this form of self-mutilation. Since then, thousands of young people have admitted to using this same practice to deal with the anxiety of school, depression over a failed relationship, or more serious troubles at home.

"More and more teenagers are seeking relief from daily pressures by hurting themselves, and cutting seems to be the injury of choice. 'We see it every year,' Hickman High School guidance director Ann Landes said."

Though some cutters are simply vying for attention, most feel it's the only way they can cope with intense emotions or anxiety. When parents discover their child has been cutting, the first reaction is often anger. Some will ground their children or take away other privileges like use of a car or cell phone. But the only thing that will really help is counseling. The teen needs to learn better, more productive coping mechanisms. Read more at ColumbiaTribune.com.

Learn more about the Emotional Pain and Cutting that many troubled teens face at ByParents-ForParents.com. ByParents-ForParents.com offers articles, advice, and help for parents of troubled teens.

Labels: emotional_issues, mental_health, self-harm

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The teenage years are a struggle for most people. Some teens, however, have serious behavioral and emotional issues that go beyond "typical teenager stuff". For these teens, living in a group home for a short time can help them get back on track. But many medical experts advise parents to choose a place that's close to home.

"Mecklenburg County [North Carolina] has more group home beds than any other N.C. county, making it a magnet for troubled kids. Sending them there also means they're often far from caseworkers and family support that experts say they need... More than a year ago, a coalition of judges, child advocates, mental health and school officials sent a letter across the state, warning counties to stop dumping their troubled youths in Charlotte. The letter said youths were 'being effectively abandoned.'"

Experts can point to many case studies which prove that keeping kids close to home, close to parents and support systems, increased their chances of success. Read more online.

Labels: emotional_issues, behavioral_issues, troubled_kids

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