A

adolescence The stage of emotional and mental
development that marks the transition from child-
hood to adulthood, accompanying the physical
transition that occurs with PUBERTY. By adoles-
cence an individual has the physical appearance
and characteristics of an adult, including sexual
maturity and reproductive capability though does
not yet have complete neurologic development
and psychologic and emotional maturity.
Though most of the health issues of concern in
adolescence may occur at any age, some may be
difficult to distinguish from the normal turbulence
of this developmental period. The risk for some
health conditions is highest during adolescence,
such as ACCIDENTAL INJURIESand SEXUALLY TRANSMIT-
TED DISEASES(STDS), because adolescence represents
a unique convergence of an intense desire to
explore adult behaviors with an immature sense
of consequences. During adolescence most Ameri-
cans learn to drive, start dating, and begin work-
ing, all of which are important steps in the
transition to independence and adult responsibili-
ties yet expose young people to new risks.
Though the general age of consent (legal adult-
hood) is 18 in the United States (though 21 for
ALCOHOLpurchase and consumption), the age of
consent for health-care services and medical treat-
ment varies among states. Some states grant the
right to receive health-care services and medical
treatment for certain circumstances (such as men-
tal health, CONTRACEPTION, PREGNANCY, and SEXUAL
HEALTH) as early as age 14 though require the
authorization of a parent or legal guardian for sur-
gery, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic proce-
dures, and most nonemergency health-care
services until the child reaches age 18. Hospitals,
health-care providers, and public health agencies
know the limits and constraints of applicable laws

and regulations, which are subject to change as a

consequence of legislation (new laws) or legal rul-

ings (court cases).

HEALTH CONCERNS COMMON IN ADOLESCENCE

ACCIDENTAL INJURIES ACNE

ALCOHOLabuse BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER

cigarette smoking CONDUCT DISORDER

DEPRESSION EATING DISORDERS

GENERAL ANXIETY DISORDER(GAD) OBESITY

OBSESSIVE–COMPULSIVE DISORDER OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT

(OCD) DISORDER

PEER PRESSURE SEXUAL ASSAULT

SEXUAL HEALTH SEXUALITY

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES substance abuse

(STDS) SUICIDAL IDEATION AND

trauma SUICIDE

unintended PREGNANCY VIOLENCE

See also PARENTING; PEER PRESSURE; SECONDARY

SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS; SEXUAL ORIENTATION; YOUTH

HIGH-RISK BEHAVIOR.

anger and anger management Anger is a natu-

ral, intense emotion of displeasure that represents

an interaction between the limbic system, which

directs the body’s emotional responses, and the

frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex, which both

interpret information and initiate conscious

behavior in response. The frontal lobes are also

the source of conscious inhibition, the innate

mechanisms that control extremes in emotional

expression and behavior. Anger’s expression is

normal and essential and may span the spectrum

from irritation to rage.

Anger results in physiologic changes within the

body. The STRESS RESPONSE HORMONAL CASCADE

releases surges of CORTISOL, EPINEPHRINE, and NOREPI-

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