The transition period between childhood and adulthood – a time when personal identity and social understanding accompanies physical and emotional changes that are so rapid they are aptly called ‘growing pains’. The last time a similar phase of development occurred was in toddlerhood, when their brain developed sufficiently to distinguish themselves as an individual independent from their parent. The toddler tantrum is not unlike adolescent demands; while toddlers focus on “I want” as a way of evidencing their individuality, the adolescent catch cry is “Why not!?”. These words usher in a period of uncertainty, challenge and erratic behaviour.

But there is no one path for adolescent development – every individual changes at their own pace and time and in their own context.

​

At a time when developmental, social and personal challenges are at their greatest, it is no wonder so many teenagers succumb to the stresses. Adolescents are often hypersensitive observers of the physical and social development of themselves and their peers. The impact of these comparisons on their own self-image and identity will heavily influence the satisfaction they feel in their daily life, compounding into adulthood.

​

The physiological changes (such as changes in appearance and hormonal changes) as well as the emotional rollercoaster and the development of morals and abstract thinking capabilities drive the adolescent to reconstruct relationships in new and meaningful ways. The pressure on adolescents to manage this period well is only magnified by the media’s simplified, romanticised and skewed portrayal of “successful” adolescents and adults. Parents find themselves dealing with a shift from the inquisitive ‘why?’ of childhood years to the demanding ‘why not?’ in adolescence.

​

Identity clarification – especially sexual identity – is the paramount psychological task for adolescents. The first task of adolescence is the discovery of ‘self’ – I am a person with my own mind, my own heart, my own personality. Then there is the discovery of freedom and the responsibilities that come with it – I am autonomous, free to take my life in the direction I want to. Finally there is the establishment of values and beliefs that will take them throughout their life. Professor David Isaacs proposed that until adolescents effectively develop these commitments they do not leave this phase of life.

​

While the doors to the wider social world are opening, and the adolescent has a glimpse, their egocentricity and limited experience make the transition a challenge not only for themselves, but also for those who love and care for them. It is also at this point that many biologically-influenced psychological issues begin to be identified. These include depression.

​

Sadness, discouragement, pessimism, and a sense of hopelessness are emotions experienced by all people at one point or another. In children and adolescents, depression often appears more as irritability and a diffuse anger, rather than the sadness we normally think of when we hear about ‘depression’. For most adolescents and adults alike, the experience is short-lived. Research shows that normal mild depression lasts long enough to ‘adapt’ to new situations (e.g. after the death of a loved one). This capacity to experience depression is beneficial. However, when the experience persists, invading daily life and impacting on the capacity to continue functioning as well as usual, then it is time to act. The need to seek help is even more important in adolescents, as depression left untreated during this intense period of growth can hinder the acquisition of skills and development in areas that pave the way for sustained, healthy adult functioning.

Mood disorders (of which depression is one) are complex, invasive variations of our regular mood patterns. The complexity usually varies on three dimensions – severity, type (up or down), and duration. The common thread is extremes of emotion.