moods and behaviours. For example, many young people become more secretive as they develop their independence. Secrecy however may also indicate that they are using alcohol or substances, self-harming, or struggling with food. It may also indicate paranoia which can be a sign of psychosis. Another example is social withdrawal – withdrawing from other people can be a symptom of many mental health conditions. A young person withdrawing from family but spending more time with friends, however, tends to be a normal part of growing up . One theory of the changes in the brains of adolescents is that the parts of the brain involved in emotional responses are more active than in adults, whilst the parts of the brain involved in regulating these responses are still reaching maturity. This can cause impulsive or risk-taking behaviours. It is not yet medically possible to know to what extent a particular behaviour or ability is the result of a specific feature of brain structure or change. Changes take place in the context of many other factors such as environment, personality traits, childhood, family, friends, community, and culture. Assessing a young person’s functioning is a helpful way to distinguish between poor mental health and normal development. If a young person is struggling with school or work, avoiding social contact, or is no longer enjoying things they used to enjoy then it is likely that they are experiencing poor mental health. How poor mental health can impact healthy development There are numerous variables related to mental health that can affect adolescent development. There is evidence that: – Heavy alcohol use during adolescence can lead to changes in brain structure (13). – Lack of concentration and motivation, a sign of poor mental health, can lead to difficulties in cognitive development and educational achievement.
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