Adolescence Essay

Adolescence can be a difficult and stressful point in one’s life, and we know from the video and the readings this week that stress can be an environmental trigger to some genetic components of substance abuse and could likely increase one’s risk for developing an addictive disorder (Volkow, Janda, Nestler, & Levine, 2014). I enjoyed the video this week because it talked about addiction as a chronic disease and an issue of mental health instead of seeing it from a criminal perspective. The readings this week also touch on adolescence and why this age group may be so susceptible to addiction, and one of the reasons is because an “early onset of drug problems has been associated with increased risk of continued use in adulthood” (Bertrand et…

During the development of adolescents, reproductive and cognitive changes and physical endurance are some things that will differentiate one from a younger child (BEE BOYD 275). Two major growth spurts will occur in adolescence. Between 13 and 15 the cerebral cortex becomes thicker, and the neuronal pathways become more efficient, allowing for more energy to be produced (BEE BOYD 275). The frontal lobes in the cerebral cortex is the main focus during the second growth spurt, which controls logic…

The adolescence is a time of change, one of the most significant has to do with "physical changes" and more specifically with sexual, sexual development, is the most important change that occurs in adolescence. At the same time there are other changes that have to do with "changes in personality" such as the search for my identity, and as such the search for my sexual identity. Many young people take time to understand who they are and what they are transforming, adolescence represents a period…

The Adolescence period is the transition between childhood and young adulthood. It usually occurs during 10-19 years of age as defined by World Health Organization. This period is expected to be challenging for an individual due to the drastic and gradual changes in the physical, cognitive, emotional and psychological development of a child. Moreover, during this stage adolescents begins to fight for their independence and struggle for control. It is known to be a sensitive and crucial period as…

The mental and process of things is different from one individual to another. Some are more responsible or are freer in their actions (adults), others are in between stages or must learn a new sense of about their own identity (adolescents). Adolescence can be a time of both confusion and great discovery. It is the time when an individual has more freedom than when he/she were a child, and not yet the responsibilities of an…

1, Key emotional aspects taking place in adolescence (A) Erikson was an ego psychologist, who emphasized the role of culture and society and the conflicts that can take place within the ego itself. According to Erikson, the ego develops as it successfully resolves crises that are distinctly social in nature. These involve establishing a sense of trust in others, developing a sense of identity in society, and helping the next generation prepare for the future. (McLeod, 2013). Erikson’s stage of…

Depression in Adolescence Unipolar depressive disorder in children and adolescents is a problem across the world that has become very common, but is often not recognized correctly (Thapar, Collishaw, Pine, & Thapar, 2012). Depression in adolescents is associated with a substantial risk of suicide, is the second leading cause of death in this age group and at least half of those who attempted suicide have described symptoms associated with depressive disorders at the time of death (Hawthorn,…

There is an extensive amount of roles that one can distinguish themselves nowadays; which makes it understandable that someone would have troubling finding which role that they would fit into. For adolescents finding an identity to relate to can be a tremendous task, since they are exposed to so many new things during this time. The development of an identity is a hard one with it depends on what happens during adolescence. Some major influences on identity development in adolescence are based…

Human beings have been created to undergo certain stages that are critical in human life development. This stage, adolescence, is a transitional stage that is characterized by physical and psychological development in human beings. Adolescence is mainly experienced during the teenage years. It is important to note that adolescent characteristics that include; psychological, cultural and physical expressions may be elicited much earlier in life and end at a later stage than usual for example…

Erikson defines the age of adolescence as the early teen years, in between the age of twelve and the young adult stage. Those in the age of adolescence are faced with the large question “Who am I?” Their conflict lies between a settled identity and role confusion. Often in the young teenage years one is starting to develop and change in many ways. A lot happens physically, emotionally, and socially. In many Western societies, according to the textbook, it is common for adolescents to begin to…