Navigating Adolescence

When the changes that occur in the adolescent brain are reviewed, overall it is not surprising to find that half of all adults with serious mental health issues develop symptoms before the age of 14. Adolescence is a unique period of growth in which the neural pathways in the brain change dramatically. While parents and family members cannot prevent these changes from occurring, there are steps that loved ones can take to help improve outcomes for the teen, reducing angst and the potential for developing long-term mental health issues.

In order to facilitate the development of the adolescent brain, parents and loved ones must consider the role of experience. While hormones will clearly play a dominant role in the development of the adolescent brain, experiences play an equally important role in shaping outcomes during this period of development. It is important for parents and loved ones to maintain a strong presence in the lives of teens even if the teens choose not to spend their free time among the family, especially if they start isolating themselves.

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