ADOLESCENT




PANSININ SANA SI TEENAGER (PSST!)

November has been designated by the Philippine Pediatric Society-Southern Tagalog Chapter (PPS-STC) as the month for the adolescents. The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) has defined the adolescents as individuals whose age is 10-19 years old. This pediatric age group is usually the most healthy but unfortunately the most neglected, too. During the remaining weeks of November, my discussion will center on this awkward age of persons who are no longer kids but not quite adults either. As a case in point, this group of patients find themselves surrounded by infants and toddlers waiting in line to seek consult with their trusted pediatricians.  Hopefully, these adolescents will be better understood and managed appropriately if the physical changes as well as the issues and concerns that they have are known and addressed.

EARLY ADOLESCENCE

        Age Range:  10-13 years old.

        Physical Changes: Height and weight increase
                               Pubic and underarm hair grows
                               Pimples may appear
                               Boys enter puberty 2 years later than girls
                               Girls are usually taller than boys at this period
               Girls: Breasts begin to enlarge
                         First menstrual period occurs
                         Hips widen
                         Body fat increases
               Boys: Scrotum becomes darker
                         Voice gets deeper
                         Penis grows lunger and fuller
                         Testicles grow larger

          Issues and Concerns
               Body images including weight and height
               Self-consious and moody
               Hang out more with peers of same sex
               Increase curiosity of things around them
               Explore talents, arts, hobbies and sports
               Challenge authority and family
               Daydreaming
               Begin to develop own value system
               Desire for privacy
               Magnify own problems
 

MIDDLE ADOLESCENCE

          Age Range: 14-16 years old

         Physical Changes: Further increase in height and weight
                                      Further maturation of genitals

         Issues and Concerns:
                    Peer pressure with fad behaviors
                    Increase risky behaviors
                    Begin dating and attract partner
                    Independence from parents
                    Conflict with family predominates
                    Very self-absorbed
                    Excessive physical activity


LATE ADOLESCENCE

          Age Range: 17 - 19 years old

          Physical Changes: Physical maturity almost complete
                                        Height and weight almost adult size

          Issues and Concerns:
                   Less mood swings (more emotionally stable)
                   Better decision making and judgment less influenced by peers
                   Develop more mature and intimate relationship
                   Plan for future career goals
                   Philosophical and idealistic
                   Comfortable with body image
                   Establish ethical and moral value system

        
Adolescents undergo rapid physiological, psychological and social changes through the years as can be deduced from the above outline of the three subgroups of adolescents. Thus, it is not surprising that some of them go through a lot of adjustments before emerging into a responsible adult given the proper guidance and enough space to grow and explore. Hence, people who deal with them should be respectful, emphatic and non-judgmental. Strict confidentiality should be observed at all times except in circumstances that will signify a threat to harm self or others, presence of abuse whether physical or sexual and any situation that puts another person in danger.

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