How the Brain Works The Facts Visually Explained by DK (z-lib.org)

46

THE PHYSICAL BRAIN

Older Children and Teenagers 47

Mental health risks

Some of the brain areas that undergo the most dramatic

changes during adolescence have been linked with mental

ill-health. These changes can leave the brain vulnerable to

small issues becoming dysfunctions. This may explain why

so many mental health problems, from schizophrenia to

anxiety disorders, commonly appear during adolescence.

Disorders in adolescence

Some disorders from early

childhood may disappear during

adolescence, while others can

emerge and persist into later life.

Age (years)

0 5 10 15 20 25

ADHD, conduct disorder

Anxiety disorders

Mood disorders

Schizophrenia

Substance abuse

Not all mental

illnesses will persist

into adulthood

WHY ARE TEENS

SELF-CONSCIOUS?

When we think about being

embarrassed, a region of our

prefrontal cortex linked to

understanding mental states

is more active in teenagers

than adults.

THE BRAIN REACHES ITS

LARGEST PHYSICAL

SIZE BETWEEN

AGES 11 AND 14

Extreme

emotions

The limbic system is

highly reactive in teenagers,

meaning they experience

heightened emotional responses,

feeling things more deeply.

Limbic

system

Motor

cortex

Clumsiness

During rapid growth

spurts, the brain’s body

maps can’t keep up. Brain and

body get out of sync, causing

clumsiness.

Peer pressure

Teenagers care deeply about

how their friends see them.

They take more risks with

peers, and being left out can

feel excruciating. Peer pressure

can be a strong influence on

them—for good or bad.

US_046-047_Older_Children_and_Teenagers.indd 47 20/09/2019 12:53