Adolescence is a time of transition involving dramatic physical, emotional, intellectual and social changes. Most teenagers navigate this time of their lives without undue stress, but some engage in at-risk behaviors that have negative psychological, social and health consequences. Reports of adolescent trends and activities in the media are sometimes misleading; even the most well-informed adult can have some misconceptions. Test your knowledge with the following quiz:
1. The number-one reason adolescents say they continue to use drugs and alcohol is
- it helps them cope with feelings
- they like the feeling of being drunk or high
- response to peer pressure
- boredom-lack of anything else to do
- they have become addicted
2. The number-one reason teens say they begin to use drugs or alcohol is because they feel:
- pressured by their peers
- influenced by the media
- curious
- anxious, depressed or stressed
3. The first time a teen uses an illicit substance, it's most likely to have been obtained from:
- student drug dealers at their school
- siblings or friends
- drug dealers in their community
- parents or other adult relatives
4. Teens who are court or parent-mandated into substance abuse treatment have a(n) _______ rate of treatment success compared with teens who enter treatment willingly.
- much lower
- slightly lower
- about equal
- much greater
5. Which of the following are true about inhalant use?
- it is most prominent among middle school youth
- inhalant use can use permanent brain, liver, nerve and kidney damage
- abusable inhalants can be easily and legally purchased and are found in many household items
- all of the above
6. Excess doses of over-the-counter cough suppressant products containing dextromethorphan (DXM) can:
- produce a dissociative state similar to ketamine or PCP
- be bought legally by teens
- produce hallucinations
- produce hyperthermia, irregular heart beat, high blood pressure and other serious physical complications
- cause organ damage and death from overdosing of non-DXM compounds such as acetaminophen
- do all of the above
7. A teen who is not used to drinking and rapid "chugs" a six-pack of beer can:
- feel sick
- become violent
- die from respiratory failure
- all of the above
- A and B only
8. In America ________sexually experienced teens contract a sexually transmitted disease.
- 1in 1000
- 1 in 100
- 1 in 4
9. Teens pay more attention to what their friends say about sex than their parents.
- True or False?
10. Most teens are having sex.
- True or False?
11. It is best not to comment about the appearance of a student with an eating disorder.
- True or False?
12. Anorexia nervosa leads to death in _____% of cases.
- 2
- 5
- 10
- 20
- 30
13. Only females develop eating disorders.
- True or False?
14. Prevention efforts which describe specific case examples and behaviors have been shown to promote eating disorders.
- True or False?
How did you do?
Here are the correct answers:
- B. While it may seem like kids would use drugs to cope with their feelings due to ever increasing pressures, including peer pressure, most young people report that they use intoxicants simply for fun. Unfortunately they don't see the danger.
- C. Curiosity is the number one reason kids report trying drugs the first time.
- B. The first time a teenager tries drugs they are likely to have come from someone they know well.
- C. Contrary to the popular myth that a substance abuser must have hit "rock bottom" before getting help, teens that are mandated to treatment are about as likely to benefit as those who sign in voluntarily.
- D. Unfortunately, sniffing or "huffing" common household products (by concentrating them in a plastic bag or towel and then breathing the vapors) in order to get high is on the rise among middle school youth. Parents should be on the alert for strong smells of cleaners, hair spray or other products. Kids need to know that engaging in this risky behavior can cause brain damage or death with just one use.
- F. Dextromethorphan (DMX) is a common ingredient in cough syrup. Teens often ingest a bottle or more which can give them dangerously high doses of not only DMX but also additional medications such as Benedryl or Tylenol.
- D. Many teens see beer as innocent and not likely to cause illness. Unfortunately this myth leads to a false sense of security and has resulted in injury or death.
- C. Many believe that sexually transmitted diseases such as Syphilis or Gonorrhea are part of a bygone era. These diseases, as well as Chlamydia, Herpes, and HIV are still very common. Chlamydia can often have very few symptoms but can lead to chronic infection and sterility if left untreated.
- False. Your teen might not appear to be listening but he is. Teens report that they do learn from and value what their parents say.
- False. The slight majority of teens (51%) report they have not yet had sexual intercourse.
- True. Even the most innocuous and well-intentioned comments ("You look great" or "You have your color back") can be misinterpreted as "You've gained weight" which will be seen as criticism and could lead to relapse. In general, it's better not to comment on appearance or eating at all. Comments that simply appreciate a student's presence or participation ("Your enthusiasm was just what we needed at Yearbook Club!") are helpful.
- C. As a conservative figure, Anorexia Nervosa leads to death in 10% of cases. Of these, 5% commit suicide and many die of cardiac complications such as arrhythmias. Some studies quote a mortality rate as high as 20%.
- False. Though 90% of people with eating disorders are female, 10% are male. Some believe this figure is growing.
- True. Unfortunately, teens who are given facts about eating disorders or who view stories of first person accounts, often use this information as a "how to" manual. They think, "well I'll just use this to lose weight.it won't be a problem for me."
(Questionnaire was based in part on material published by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) and from the other websites listed below.
Getting through the teen years
Adolescence is a bridge between childhood and entry into the adult world. It's a time when teenagers are struggling to achieve their own identity. They're beginning to pull away from their families as the influence of peers becomes more important. This process of venturing outside the family is a normal part of development. As their cognitive processes mature, they are able to think ahead-to consider possibilities and to wonder about the future. It's a time when hormones kick in and bodies change, raising issues such as body image and sexuality. They need to learn to delay gratification and to master feelings of aggression.
Signs of distress in adolescence
Of the forces that influence adolescent behavior, the most fundamental are the social contexts -the sense of connectedness to the family and school are primary. Parents and teachers should be alert to the following warning signs:
- Lack of age-appropriate relationships and interests
- Obsessive interests
- Preoccupation with one's body
- Precociousness or over-involvement in sexual behavior
- Risk-taking behavior
- Fears, worries, anxieties
- Sadness and depression
- Fear of the future
- Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns
Prevention
Adults involved in the care and supervision of teenagers who are aware of adolescent developmental milestones and attuned to the normal challenges faced by adolescents will improve their chances to avoid harm and to progress towards an emotionally healthy life.
About the Author
Melissa Nishawala, M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine and Director of the Tisch Young Adult Inpatient Program at the NYU Child Study Center. Dr. Nishawala has a special interest in eating disorders and in autism spectrum disorders.
Helpful Websites
www.iwannaknow.org
www.itsyoursexlife.com
www.teengrowth.com
www.bulimia.com
www.bodypositive.com
www.mirror-mirror.org
www.something-fishy.org
www.drugfree.org
www.theantidrug.com
www.backtoschool.drugabuse.gov
www.teens.drugabuse.gov
www.nida.org
About the NYU Child Study Center
The New York University Child Study Center is dedicated to increasing the awareness of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders and improving the research necessary to advance the prevention, identification, and treatment of these disorders on a national scale. The Center offers expert psychiatric services for children, adolescents, young adults, and families with emphasis on early diagnosis and intervention. The Center's mission is to bridge the gap between science and practice, integrating the finest research with patient care and state-of-the-art training utilizing the resources of the New York University School of Medicine. The Child Study Center was founded in 1997 and established as the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry within the NYU School of Medicine in 2006. For more information, please call us at (212) 263-6622 or visit us at www.aboutourkids.org.
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Reprinted with the permission of the NYU Child Study Center. © NYU Child Study Center.
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