Adolescent psychiatry

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Psychiatric disorders in adolescents present a significant social issue relevant to healthcare professionals. The National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A) reveals that the lifetime prevalence rates for anxiety, behavior, mood, and substance use disorders among adolescents are 31.9%, 19.1%, 14.3%, and 11.4%, respectively. Notably, about 40% of participants with one disorder also met criteria for another, highlighting comorbidity as a critical aspect of adolescent mental health. Female adolescents tend to have higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders, while males are more prone to behavioral and substance use disorders. Unfortunately, many medical professionals lack adequate training in recognizing adolescent psychiatric disorders; for instance, primary care providers identify less than 25% of youth with depression or anxiety. Furthermore, clinicians often underestimate the severity of adolescent psychiatric issues and suicidal behavior. This shortage of skilled providers hampers the delivery of necessary services. The inability of primary healthcare to effectively integrate psychiatric interventions, along with insufficient public health focus on adolescent mental health, has resulted in persistent care gaps. This book offers vital information for health professionals, emphasizing that the mental health of adolescents is crucial for fostering healthy, productive societies.