The major problems faced in adolescence are:
1. Acne:
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Most common problem seen in adolescents of both sexes.
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Acne results from clogged pores of skin due to hyper-secretion of androgen (sex hormone).
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Small dot-like protuberances seen on face, neck and back.
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Increases self-consciousness when develops on face.
2. Hypochondria:
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It is a psychosomatic disorder.
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Adolescents suffer from anxiety and are unduly concerned about their health.
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Prominent among women.
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They fear about the disfigurement of body due to obesity and start dieting.
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Other complications may develop due to excessive weight loss.
3. Neurasthenia:
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Inability to concentrate on or enjoy things.
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May lead to fatigue, irritability, insomnia, depression and headache.
4. Social attachment:
Adolescents experience alternate periods of loneliness (withdrawal from social surroundings) and gregariousness (tendency to be with social surroundings).
5. Diet:
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Some adolescents do not consume proper food as they feel the need to decrease their body weight.
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Some of them may eat excess food (overeating).
6. Menstrual cycle:
Irregularity in monthly periods is seen in some female adolescents.
7. Phobias:
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Intense dread or fear of things or creatures amongst adolescents.
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E.g.
Algophobia → Fear from pain.
Xenophobia → Fear from strangers.
Ophidiophobia → Fear from snakes.
8. Post-traumatic stress disorder:
Adolescents may suffer from Post-traumatic stress disorder due to traumatic experiences like accidents, rape, robbery, witness of murder, premarital sexual intercourse resulting in undesired pregnancies.
9. Addiction:
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Addiction to drugs, smoking, chewing of tobacco and alcohol.
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Reasons → Peer-pressure, frustration and depression, advertisements, feeling of dependence.
10. Others:
These include accidents, suicide attempts, depression, contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
