VULNERABILITY OF ADOLESCENTS TO MENTAL DISORDER

• Why may adolescents be more susceptible to mental health issues?


  Due to ongoing changes in their brain and various physical, emotional, and social changes
• What are some reasons that adolescence can be stressful?


  Desire for independence, peer pressure, exploration of sexual identity, and increased technology use
• What factors contribute to mental health problems in adolescents?

  Interactions between biological, psychological, and environmental variables
• What are some common biological factors that can cause mental illness?

  • Chemical imbalance within the body
  • Genetics
  • Brain injury
  • Prenatal problems affecting early brain development
  • Poor nutrition
• What psychological factors can contribute to mental illness?


  • History of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
  • Loss of home
  • Separation of parents
  • Loss of a parent or loved ones
• What are some environmental factors that can lead to mental illness?


  • Poor housing conditions
  • Change of school and community
  • Family conflict and lack of communication
  • Family members using substances like alcohol and drugs
  • High societal expectations