Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

A
adolescence The stage of emotional and mental
development that marks the transition from childhood
to adulthood, accompanying the physical
transition that occurs with PUBERTY. By adolescence
an individual has the physical appearance
and characteristics of an adult, including sexual
maturity and reproductive capability though does
not yet have complete neurologic development
and psychologic and emotional maturity.
Though most of the health issues of concern in
adolescence may occur at any age, some may be
difficult to distinguish from the normal turbulence
of this developmental period. The risk for some
health conditions is highest during adolescence,
such as ACCIDENTAL INJURIES and SEXUALLY TRANSMIT-
TED DISEASES (STDS), because adolescence represents
a unique convergence of an intense desire to
explore adult behaviors with an immature sense
of consequences. During adolescence most Americans
learn to drive, start dating, and begin working,
all of which are important steps in the
transition to independence and adult responsibilities
yet expose young people to new risks.
Though the general age of consent (legal adulthood)
is 18 in the United States (though 21 for
ALCOHOL purchase and consumption), the age of
consent for health-care services and medical treatment
varies among states. Some states grant the
right to receive health-care services and medical
treatment for certain circumstances (such as mental
health, CONTRACEPTION, PREGNANCY, and SEXUAL
HEALTH) as early as age 14 though require the
authorization of a parent or legal guardian for surgery,
invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures,
and most nonemergency health-care
services until the child reaches age 18. Hospitals,
health-care providers, and public health agencies
know the limits and constraints of applicable laws
240
and regulations, which are subject to change as a
consequence of legislation (new laws) or legal rulings
(court cases).
HEALTH CONCERNS COMMON IN ADOLESCENCE
ACCIDENTAL INJURIES
ALCOHOL abuse
cigarette smoking
DEPRESSION
GENERAL ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD)
OBSESSIVE–COMPULSIVE DISORDER
(OCD)
PEER PRESSURE
SEXUAL HEALTH
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
(STDS)
trauma
unintended PREGNANCY
See also PARENTING; PEER
ACNE
BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER
CONDUCT DISORDER
EATING DISORDERS
OBESITY
OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT
DISORDER
SEXUAL ASSAULT
SEXUALITY
substance abuse
SUICIDAL IDEATION AND
SUICIDE
VIOLENCE
PRESSURE; SECONDARY
SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS; SEXUAL ORIENTATION; YOUTH
HIGH-RISK BEHAVIOR.
anger and anger management Anger is a natural,
intense emotion of displeasure that represents
an interaction between the limbic system, which
directs the body’s emotional responses, and the
frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex, which both
interpret information and initiate conscious
behavior in response. The frontal lobes are also
the source of conscious inhibition, the innate
mechanisms that control extremes in emotional
expression and behavior. Anger’s expression is
normal and essential and may span the spectrum
from irritation to rage.
Anger results in physiologic changes within the
body. The STRESS RESPONSE HORMONAL CASCADE
releases surges of CORTISOL, EPINEPHRINE, and NOREPI-