A framework for adolescent disorder: some clinical presentations.
Seven frequently-occurring, more or less sterotyped, adolescent presentations are described to illustrate the relevance of a specific clinical framework for adolescent disorder. This recognizes the maturational background in adolescence, the family involvement in this process and the various factors that can affect it. Disorder is viewed in terms of inappropriate identity choice at this time, a state of maturational deadlock, and can be categorized according to the types and severity of the maladaptive responses. Treatment, capitalizing on the adolescent's state of change and flux, concentrates on more adaptive future identity formation, and can be most rewarding. Orthodox assessment procedures, as used with adult patients, stand the risk of reinforcing a dependent 'psychiatric patient' identity.
D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D011610:Psychosocial Deprivation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders