Oral Discussion

Discuss in pairs and answer:

• When does adolescence begin?
• When does it finish?
• Which are the characteristics of adolescents nowadays?
• Are these characteristics different from the ones adolescents had in the past? In which way?
• Which are adolescents likes and dislikes nowadays?
• Which were the likes and dislikes of adolescents in the past?
• Which are the different ways of entertainment adolescents have nowadays?
• What did adolescents of the past do to entertain themselves?
• Are there differences as regards adolescents’ of the past and nowadays adolescents’ body?
• Which are the problems adolescents have nowadays?
• Did these problems exist 30 years ago?

Do you agree with this picture?

Different Problems

Physical changes (and problems?)

The process of rapid physical changes in adolescence is called “puberty”. It starts from eleven years for girls and thirteen for boys. Girls start changes before boys and will, for the first three or four years, appear to be maturing much faster. After this, boys catch up. These changes include:

- For girls: menstrual periods, growth of extremities, growth of body and pubic hair.

- For boys: voice breaks (becomes deeper), growth of body and pubic hair, facial hair.

- For both: Rapid physical growth.

By the age of 17, they'll be young men and women who may be bigger than their parents and capable of having children themselves. In spite of this, they often still need support from you.

Some adolescents become very interested in their appearance. They may need a lot of reassurance, especially if they are not growing or maturing as quickly as their friends.

Growth and development uses a lot of energy, and this may be why teenagers often seem to need so much sleep. Their getting-up late may be irritating, but it may well not be just laziness.

Behaviour Problems

- Teenagers and their parents complain about each other's behaviour. Parents often feel they have lost control or influence over their child. Adolescents want their parents to be clear and consistent about rules and boundaries, but at the same they hate restrictions on their freedom and ability to decide for themselves.

- If disagreements are common and normal, when should you worry? Experience suggests that children are at risk of getting into trouble if their parents don't know where they are.

- Arguments or misunderstandings at home about dress, language, or general conduct are common. In many cases, offering your support and understanding without making a fuss will be all your child needs at this time. However, if you feel that your child is outside your control and may be endangering his or her health or risking conflict with the law, consult your doctor, who may be able to give advice or recommend relevant support services. If not, try talking to him; you may get the answer in this way.

School Problems

- Refusal to go to school can be due to:

- being perfectionist, and becoming depressed because they can't do as well as they would want to

- disturbed family life, with early separation of the parents or death of one of them.

- an established pattern which started at primary school. Such children often have physical symptoms, such as headache or stomach-ache.

- Those who go to school, but then play “truant”¹, are usually frustrated at school. They prefer to spend their days with others who feel the same way.

- Emotional problems affect school work - worry about oneself, or about what is going on at home, makes it difficult to concentrate. Pressure to do well and to pass exams may come from parents or teachers, but adolescents usually want to do well and will push themselves. Excessive preassure can be counter-productive. Exams are important, but they should not dominate life or cause unhappiness.

- Bullying can cause all of the above. Around 1 in 10 secondary school children is bullied at some point, about 1 in 20 is bullied every week. Short children are more likely to be bullied.

Trouble with the law

- Most young people do not break the law, but those who do are usually boys. When they do, it usually only happens once.

- If a parent doesn't feel that breaking the law is particularly important, it is more likely that their children will offend.

- Some characteristics of adolescents who break the law are:

- Difficulty following rules or complying with a structured environment,

- Difficulty to consider others’ feelings when making decisions,

- Trouble forming relationships with authoritative figures

- Exceptionally poor academic performance

- Low self-esteem

- Unhappiness or distress can also lead to behaviour that will get them into trouble with the police. It is always worth asking about such feelings if an adolescent is repeatedly getting into trouble.

Emotional Problems

- Over-eating, excessive sleepiness and a persistent over-concern with appearance may be signs of emotional distress (unhappiness).

- Anxiety may produce phobias and panic attacks.

- Recent research suggests that emotional disorders are often not recognised, even by family and friends.

DEPRESSION:

- At some time, 4 out of 10 adolescents have felt so miserable that they have cried and have wanted to get away from everyone and everything.

- During their adolescence, more than 1 in 5 teenagers think so little of themselves that life does not seem worth living. In spite of these powerful feelings, depression may not be obvious to other people.

Lauren's Testimony

I WAS WALKING TOWARDS DEATH.


By EMMA MORTON

Health Editor
Published: 08 Apr 2008


AN anorexic woman who walked 12 hours a day to slash her weight to THREE STONE (19Kg) has battled back to health.

Lauren Bailey covered 30 miles of streets from 6am to 6pm.

Her punishing regime left her wasting away - until she was eventually rushed to hospital on the brink of death.

She told The Sun: “I remember being transferred to an eating disorders unit and they didn’t think I would make it through the night.”

Now after many lengthy spells in hospital six-and-a-half stone Lauren, 26, is a far cry from the skeletal 23-year-old who weighed the same as a girl of five.

She said: “I still have problems but I am enjoying life.”

Lauren was previously plagued by depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

She said: “It wasn’t about wanting to be thin – it was about wanting to disappear.”

Her battle with anorexia began when she was 14.

After going through puberty early, she was much bigger than other girls at school and was bullied. She recalled: “Someone said I should go on a diet – and my obsession with exercise began.”

When not out walking she would endlessly trudge up and down stairs, pace around her bedroom or do puzzles on an ironing board so she could remain standing.

The turning point came when she absconded from treatment at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Lauren, from Witham, Essex, recalled: “I thought, “This isn’t getting me anywhere.” I was miserable and had no time left in my day because of my obsessions. I was a young woman but missing out on so much.

“I thought, “Normal life can’t be any worse than this – why don’t I give it a go?”

Lauren finally left hospital in August last year and has not looked back. She said: “I want to give others hope that they can get over anorexia and rebuild their lives”


· IF you want help to overcome an eating problem such as anorexia contact the charity BEAT: Beating Eating Disorders on 0845 634 1414, www.b-eat.co.uk



Lucky to be alive
Professor Marinos Elia, of Southampton University, said: "Normally death occurs when a woman's weight drops so low.
"Her body would have begun auto-cannibalism - when it starts using up its own tissue as it has no fat left.
"This is the body's last-ditch attempt to survive and death usually follows soon after."
LAUREN is lucky to be alive after such a dramatic weight loss, an expert said.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/real_life/1012220/Eating-disorder-Anorexia-victim-speaks-Walking-towards-death-Lauren-Bailey.html

Anorexia and Bulimia

What Is Anorexia?
Anorexia is an eating disorder where people starve themselves. Anorexia usually begins in young people around the onset of puberty. Individuals suffering from anorexia have extreme weight loss. Weight loss is usually 15% below the person's normal body weight. People suffering from anorexia are very skinny but are convinced that they are overweight. Weight loss is obtained by many ways. Some of the common techniques used are excessive exercise, intake of laxatives and not eating.
Anorexics have an intense fear of becoming fat. Their dieting habits develop from this fear. Anorexia mainly affects adolescent girls.
People with anorexia continue to think they are overweight even after they become extremely thin, are very ill or near death. Often they will develop strange eating habits such as refusing to eat in front of other people. Sometimes the individuals will prepare big meals for others while refusing to eat any of it.
The disorder is thought to be most common among people of higher socioeconomic classes and people involved in activities where thinness is especially looked upon, such as dancing, theater, and distance running.

A Family Member has an Eating Disorder
If you have a family member who has an Eating Disorder, they need a lot of support. Suggest that he/she sees an eating disorder expert. Be prepared for denial, resistance and even anger. A doctor and/or a counselor can help them battle their eating disorder.


Symptoms of Anorexia
There are many symptoms for anorexia although some individuals may not experience all of them. The symptoms include: Body weight that is inconsistent with age, build and height (usually 15% below normal weight).
Some other symptoms of anorexia are:
-Loss of at least 3 consecutive menstrual periods (in women).
-Not wanting or refusing to eat in public
-Anxiety
-Weakness
-Brittle skin
-Shortness of breath
-Obsessiveness about calorie intake

Medical Consequences of anorexia
There are many medical risks associated with anorexia. They include: shrunken bones, mineral loss, low body temperature, irregular heartbeat, permanent failure of normal growth, development of osteoporosis and bulimia nervosa.
Continued use of laxatives is harmful to the body. It wears out the bowel muscle and causes it to decrease in function. Some laxatives contain harsh substances that may be reabsorbed into your system.

Anorexia and Pregnancy
In order to have a healthy child, the average pregnant woman should gain between 11 and 15 kilos. Telling this to a person with anorexia is like telling a normal person to gain 45 kilos. If you are anorexic, you may have trouble conceiving a baby and carrying it to term. Irregular menstrual cycles and weak bones make it more difficult to conceive. If you are underweight and do not eat the proper variety of food, you and your baby could be in danger.
Women with eating disorders have higher rates of miscarriages and your baby might be born prematurely which puts them at risk for many medical problems.
All pregnant women should receive proper prenatal care. Those recovering from anorexia or bulimia need special care. You should always take your prenatal vitamins and have regular prenatal visits. You should not exercise unless your doctor says it is okay and it is a good idea to enroll in a prenatal exercise class to be sure you are not overexerting yourself.

Good news about Anorexia
-Anorexia can be overcome.
-With proper care, you can overcome your eating disorder and have a healthy child.

Anorexia Statistics
(See Bulimia statics)

Difference between anorexia and bulimia
The biggest difference between anorexia and bulimia is that people suffering from bulimia eat large amounts of food and then throw up. This is called binge and purge. Anorexics do not eat large amounts of food and then throw it up. Just BULIMICS do!



What is Bulimia?
Bulimia, also called bulimia nervosa, is a psychological eating disorder. Bulimia is characterized by episodes of binge-eating followed by inappropriate methods of weight control (purging). Inappropriate methods of weight control include vomiting, fasting, enemas, excessive use of laxatives and diuretics, or compulsive exercising. Excessive shape and weight concerns are also characteristics of bulimia. A binge is an episode where an individual eats a much larger amount of food than most people would in a similar situation. Binge eating is not a response to intense hunger. It is usually a response to depression, stress, or self esteem issues. During the binge episode, the individual experiences a loss of control. However, the sense of a loss of control is also followed by a short-lived calmness. The calmness is often followed by self-loathing. The cycle of overeating and purging usually becomes an obsession and is repeated often.
Bulimia was only diagnosed as its own eating disorder in the 1980s.
People with bulimia can look perfectly normal. Most of them are of normal weight, and some may be overweight. Women with bulimia tend to be high achievers.
It is often difficult to determine whether a person is suffering from Bulimia. This occurs because bingeing and purging is often done in secret. Also, individuals suffering from Bulimia often deny their condition.
Sufferers consume huge quantities of food. Sometimes up to 20,000 calories at a time. The food on which they binge tend to be labelled as "comfort food" -- sweet food, high in calories, or smooth, soft food like ice cream, cake and pastry. An individual may binge anywhere from twice a day to several times daily.

A Family Member has an Eating Disorder
If you have a family member who has an Eating Disorder, she/he needs a lot of support. suggest that he/she sees an eating disorder expert. Be prepared for denial, resistance and even anger. A doctor and/or a counselor can help them battle their eating disorder.

What Causes Bulimia?
There is currently no definite known cause of bulimia. Researchers believe it begins with dissatisfaction of the person's body and extreme concern with body size and shape. Usually individuals suffering from bulimia have low self-esteem, feelings of helplessness and a fear of becoming fat

Medical complications from bulimia
Some of the most common complications of bulimia are:
-Erosion of tooth enamel because of repeated exposure to acidic gastric contents.
-Dental cavities, sensitivity to hot or cold food.
-Swelling and soreness in the salivary glands (from repeated vomiting).
-Stomach Ulcers.
-Ruptures of the stomach and esophagus.
-Abnormal buildup of fluid in the intestines.
-Disruption in the normal bowel release function.
-Electrolyte imbalance.
-Dehydration
-Irregular heartbeat and in severe cases heart attack
-A greater risk for suicidal behavior
-Decrease in libido

Symptoms of Bulimia
Some of the most common symptoms of bulimia are:
-Eating uncontrollably
-Purging
-Strict dieting
-Fasting
-Vigorous exercise
-Vomiting or abusing laxatives or diuretics in an attempt to lose weight.
-Vomiting blood
-Using the bathroom frequently after meals.
-Preoccupation with body weight
-Depression or mood swings. Feeling out of control.
-Swollen glands in neck and face
-Heartburn,
-Bloating,
-Indigestion,
-Constipation
-Irregular periods
-Dental problems
-Sore throat
-Weakness
-Exhaustion
-Bloodshot eyes

Risk Factors of Bulimia
There are certain professions where eating disorders are more prevalent. Thinness is usually emphasized in these professions. The professions are: modeling, dancing, gymnastics, wrestling, and long-distance running.

Good news about Bulimia
Bulimia can be overcome.



Bulimia Statistics
-Bulimia affects about 10% of college age women in the United States.
-In Argentina, 1 out of 10 girls suffer from (at least) one of these eating disorders.
-About 10% of individuals diagnosed with bulimia are men.
-10% of individuals suffering from bulimia will die from either starvation, cardiac arrest, other medical complications, or suicide.

Bulimia in the News
A new study adds that bulimia may be produced by a chemical malfunction in the brain and not only by an excessive desire to remain thin.