Common problems among adolescents include issues with attention and focusing, mood swings, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Adolescents face academic and social pressures that can contribute to problems with attention and mood regulation. Conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder may also emerge during this developmental period. Low self-esteem and anxiety are common as adolescents navigate changes in their bodies and social roles. Depression can result if stress becomes overwhelming. Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia may develop due to concerns about physical appearance. Substance abuse is a risk due to peer pressure and as a way to cope with problems. These issues can negatively impact functioning and

1. Common Problems
among Adolescents
Azzedine H. Abrencillo
12-Cancer, STEM

2. Problem with Attention or
Focusing

3. In the stage of adolescence, besides from academics
we still have other activities that we commit to like
sports, music, friends, family and other interests
With the workload in everyday we tend to feel restless
in some of our activities resulting to inability to focus
which can affect your normal functioning
Attention Deficit/ Hyperactive Disorder is also
common. This is a chronic problem in attention,
hyperactivity and impulsiveness

4. Mood Swings

5. Mood swings are the fast shifting of moods
A person who experiences this tends to be irritable
and can be very unpredictable
It is typical for girls to be moody and in some way
they blame it to the hormones that brings body
changes
Bipolar disorder is an example of mood disorder
that are characterized by emotional disturbances
that affect physical, social and perceptual

6. Low Self-esteem

7. Self-esteem is how you regard and see yourself
and this affects your self-confidence
Low self-esteem leads to situations where
adolescents are unable to maximize their talents
and skills because they think they are not good
enough
They also think that they don’t have what it takes
to perform certain tasks
If you think poorly of yourself, it will result to
inability to explore and gain new experiences

8. Anxiety

9. Anxiety is accompanied by a racing heart and
trembling hands and this usually happens when
we anticipate something we are fearful or
whenever we are in difficult situation
It becomes serious when it affects our normal
functioning especially when we feel sleeplessness
and restlessness
Some anxiety disorders are panic disorder and
post-traumatic stress disorder

10. Depression

11. Happens when we are not able to cope with stress
because we are not able to balance the demand
and response to different situations
It becomes a cause of concern if the duration last
from four to six weeks
It may impair you from doing normal activities
because you might experience low energy
Major depressive disorder is marked by persistent
sadness, despair and loss of interest

12. Eating Problems

13. Adolescents can be very conscious about their
physical look and if it reaches a point of extreme
obsession to lose weight then it results to
psychological disorders like anorexia nervosa and
bulimia
Anorexia nervosa is a disorder where a person
keeps his/her weight as low as possible by cutting
down food intake, vomiting and exercise
excessively
Bulimia is another eating disorder by a cycle of
bingeing or overeating then purging to avoid
gaining weight

14. Substance Abuse

15. Substance abuse pertains to the uncontrollable
use of alcohol and illicit drugs which affects the
nervous system especially the functioning of brain
Can happen because of peer pressure, social
events, boredom, rebellion and escape from
problems
Can lead to other problems like cancer, hormone
imbalance, depression, paranoia ,academic failure,
job loss, relationship with family and friends,
financial lose and imprisonment