Recognizing Adolescent Medicine as a Standalone Medical Specialty is Crucial
Let's Talk About Adolescent Health: Not Just Mental, But Physical Too!
Healthcare for young people often focuses solely on psychic distress and its manifestation in risky behaviors, like suicide attempts, drug use, eating disorders, and risky sexual behaviors. But what about the body? Suffering and anxiety can show up in physical ways, like self-harm. Is it possible to effectively care for adolescents if we neglect the body's role in all this?
Adolescent medicine, a relatively new field in France, is all about change - biological, psychological, and social. Western culture tends to prioritize emotional upheavals, shaping the "adolescent crisis" as a fluid, orchestrated process of transformation.
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Treating the changing individual isn't just about medical vs. psychiatric specialties. Adolescence isn't a simple, gradual remodeling of the body and mind. It requires a coordinated team of professionals to address this holistic, global dynamic.
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Insights:
Role of Physical Health in Addressing Mental Health Issues in Adolescence
Physical health is vital for addressing mental health issues during adolescence, including self-harm. Benefits of physical activity include mental health improvement, reduction in mental health risks, and specific effects on adolescents, with gender differences to consider. Moderate physical activity, such as 90 minutes of moderate exercise or 120 minutes of vigorous exercise daily, is linked to the best mental health outcomes. Integrating physical activity recommendations into treatment plans can support overall mental wellbeing.
Addressing Self-Harm
While research on physical activity and self-harm is limited, it can indirectly reduce the risks as it enhances emotional resilience and reduces stress, crucial in managing mental health issues that may lead to self-harm.
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In the pursuit of comprehensive adolescent care, it's crucial to recognize the interplay between physical health and mental well-being. This includes addressing self-harm, a physical manifestation of distress that can be mitigated with regular physical activity, which improves mental health, reduces mental health risks, and shows specific benefits in adolescents, considering gender differences.
