Sensitive period

Adolescence? Is it a phase,  period, form of ‘temporary madness’? It surely is a period of heightened sensitivity and turbulence. A stage between childhood and adulthood, where certain experiences make some developmental progress possible…

There are three phases in adolescence which do not relate to certain age of an adolescent but they can be repeating or alternating: decomposition phase (strengthening borders between generations), deepening an inner life and integration phase (stabilization of intra psychic and interpersonal organization).

In the period of adolescence, the ways of interpersonal connectivity are subject to dramatic changes.  When it comes to getting to know oneself, friends, romance and rivalry have an important role in shaping of an adolescent experience…And what about parents? Relationships with parents change too, they get defined again. Relationships with parents can become more distant, more challenging, marked with conflict and dissatisfaction. Adolescents undergo a gradual transformation, as opposed to living up to their parents’ expectations so far…Why is this all important?

The importance of a therapist

Because it is therapists that witness these transformations in a different way from the one parents do, and it is our job to emphasize that conflict and misunderstanding between a child and a parent is actually an opportunity for more interesting and richer relationship, to the mutual satisfaction.

The very effect of the changes themselves in the adolescent period can interfere with an adolescent’s relationship with themselves. The inner world of an adolescent’s personal experience is wide and sometimes it can explode. They hide that from adults, their parents. That is what therapists tend to discover and approach. In this very important period therapists work with adolescents on dividing lines which, at the same time, are the meeting lines as well .… The dividing lines consist of two processes (capacity to join and connect and capacity to separate and set border lines). When it comes to making contacts in adulthood, both capability and limitations are developed in this very period – adolescence. Therapists are there to  help make things easier and accept the most problematic period in life, finding the right path in a brave and striking way without having to resort to illicit and destructive substances. A very important thing to know is that awareness is enough for good mood.

Prevention and keeping healthy lifestyles

Healthy development is depicted by successful reconciling of the inner life with external possibilities…This is especially difficult for adolescents… That is why, in some situations, they tend to choose paths of least resistance, a quick way and seemingly a problem solving one… For example, they will solve their problem of being shy by drinking, their problem of suffering and pain by using drugs, freeing themselves from any pain…etc. It’s healthier for us to learn to live and handle our problems by developing and broadening our capacities for psychological growth and development by using our own resources and potentials…by working on supporting transformation in terms of experiencing your own self, and the therapist works: on solving conflicts successfully and dealing with obstacles from the outer world; with threats perceived; with required goals for getting to know the inner world. And all this just for one purpose –  developing capabilities for making contacts successfully now and in the future. Raising adolescents’ awareness of mental hygiene, education, and the fact that you are always there for them, are very important.