Young Families INSIGHTS
March 2002
Linda Swann, NAMI NC Young Families Program Coordinator, Editor
Linda Buzard, Layout Manager

Adolescent Brain Development: The "Why" Behind the Behavior
Remember when scientists were convinced that a child’s brain was fully developed by age 5? Experts thought the brain’s wiring was complete and all "wires" connected with only the learning process remaining. We were certain then that adolescent risk-taking and impulsive behaviors were the result of "raging hormones."

We now know better, thanks to modern imaging techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positive Emission Tomography (PET). Indeed, the brain continues to grow as children develop, well into those teenage years. Now neuroscientists understand there is a biological/developmental reason behind the behavior.

1. What does this mean in respect to adolescent behavior?
It explains adolescent mood swings and their need for a lot of sleep. It helps clarify why teens often engage in risky behaviors such as excessive drinking, drug abuse, and careless driving. Their brains are not fully developed so they are not as careful or thoughtful in what they choose to do.

2. Which part of the brain is involved?
The area of the brain that controls social behavior and impulsive activity, the prefrontal cortex, is largely involved. The prefrontal cortex controls what we call "executive functioning" such as planning, prioritizing, and organizing." It also controls impulsivity. This explains why teenagers are so vulnerable to drug and alcohol abuse. They often make poor choices on a social and personal level. They do not handle peer pressure as well as adults. Their brains are still in a state of development, not fully developed until sometime between the ages of 17 and 20. Because of this, teens are still learning how to assess risks.

3. Are there implications for teens and the society they live in?
All of this explains why teens are more likely to become victims of crime. Also, 25% of those with HIV contract it before age 21. Most importantly, the leading cause of death among teens is accidents. As a matter of fact, 6590 teens between the ages of 15 and 19 died as a result of accidents in 1998. The second leading cause was homicide with 2311 deaths, followed by suicide with 1737 deaths.

4. What does this brain research tell us about teens and addiction to alcohol or cigarettes?
Most alcoholics and smokers get started as adolescents. Their brains are more vulnerable to poor choices and to addiction. Researchers at UNC conducted a study with mice to test the sensitivity of the teenage brain to addiction. The scientists found more brain damage in the adolescent than in the adult brain. There was also more damage to teen brains in the area associated with addiction. Researchers at Duke University found similar results in a nicotine addiction study.

5. What do we as parents, teachers, and mental health professionals need to learn from this information?
Psychologists give us several good ideas. First, parents should avoid angry confrontations whenever a teen exercises poor judgement. Chances are, she is already feeling pretty disappointed with herself. An angry response just offers up a diversion. Instead, be calm and practice restraint. Secondly, parents and caregivers need to be available. Find times when your teen is most likely to be free to talk. Thirdly, apologize after over-reacting. Demonstrate humility. Fourth, listen carefully, even when your teen seems to go on and on. There is most likely an important hidden message there. A fourth suggestion involves facilitating your teens access to other adults. This provides a "safety net" for the adolescent. This could be a teacher, nurse, coach, or guidance counselor at school.

NAMI North Carolina is pleased to announce the addition of two mentoring sites. Sue Bennett, NAMI Forsyth County, and Irene Hall, a member of NAMI Cumberland, have joined us as Family Advocates in their respective counties. The mission of the NAMI North Carolina Mentoring Program is to offer support, personal advocacy, and education to families with children or adolescents with mental illness or emotional disorders. Each site has a young family group that meets monthly for support and educational programs.

Sue Bennett is also a part-time schoolteacher and Irene Hall has worked extensively as a consumer counselor. Both have personal experience in caring for and supporting a child with mental illness. We also welcome back Dee DiGregorio as an advocate for young families in Moore County. She and Phyllis Kennedy will share responsibilities as they continue to build a young family organization as part of the System of Care in Moore County. Our fourth site is in the western part of the state, Buncombe and Henderson Counties, with Diane Weaver, longtime NAMI NC advocate, heading up that effort. Many thanks to all of these advocates for children! Their positive influence in helping families become strong advocates for their children is invaluable! Below is their contact information.

Moore County Family Representatives
Phyllis Kennedy and Dee DiGregorio
PO Box 455, Southern Pines, NC 28388
Telephone 910 673-7800; Cell 910 690-2160
E-mail: searchnami@earthlink.net

Cumberland County
Irene Hall - Family Advocate
909 Tallstone Drive
Fayetteville, NC 28311
Telephone 910 670-4401
E-mail: IHYoungFamilies@aol.com

Forsyth County
Family Advocate - Sue Bennett
395 Janet Avenue
Winston-Salem, NC 27104
Telephone 336 765-6059
E-mail: slbennettyfc@yahoo.com

Western Region (Henderson and Buncombe Counties)

Family Advocate - Diane Weaver
55 Wilkie Way
Fletcher, NC 28732
Telephone 828 654-7143
E-mail: d-g-weaver@ioa.com

A Most Worthy Quote from Margaret Mead

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can
change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

It is that time again, time to make your plans to attend our annual Spring Conference, April 5-6, 2002 at the Sheraton Imperial in Research Triangle Park. This year’s theme is "Research to Best Practices: Bridging the Gap."

The Young Family Track includes the following workshops:

• "Building Your Community Collaborative" – Breon Allen and DeVault Clevenger, formerly with Sandhills Mental Health Center, now White Oak Training and Consulting.

• "Effective IEP meetings" – NAMI NC Family Advocates Dee DiGregorio and Diane Weaver

• "Tame the Dragon. Tickle the Turtle. Childhood Depression" – Susan Dubuque, author of Kid Power Tactics for Dealing with Depression.

You will also want to hear featured speaker, Kathy Chronkite, daughter of broadcaster Walter Chronkite and author of "On the Edge of Darkness: Conversations about Conquering Depression." Chronkite focuses on moderate, major depression. Having suffered with depression herself, she offers hope and attacks the stigma associated with the disorder. In her book, she interviews medical researchers and well-known victims including Mike Wallace, Joan Rivers, and Rod Steiger.

Look for conference details in the next edition of our state newsletter, Clippings, coming soon. See you in April!

We know that caring for a child with a Serious Emotional Disorder (SED) adds a whole new list of challenges to the lives of his/her parents. Suddenly their plans for the future have to be altered drastically and they have to cope with riding an emotional roller coaster. Parents also call it a "wave of emotion." Sometimes the tide is in and the world is overwhelming. Other times, the tide is out and they are better able to cope.

What are these "themes" of family stress? Of course, there are the financial concerns that result from the special needs of the child. There are doctor bills, therapy sessions, and medication to buy. There is also the drain of having to interrupt one’s regular schedule to accommodate these visits to the doctor or mental health center. A good number of parents end up giving up their jobs to care for the child. Some parents cut back on their work hours in order to be home when the child is home. Things go smoother for everyone at home if the child does not have to adjust to an additional childcare setting.

Then there is the additional emotional strain on the family. Parents deal with grief over the child they had hoped to have. They might feel guilty, rejected by the child and/or others. Parents face a very limited family life as well as a limited social life. One parent summed it up when he said his family was a "4F family: no friends, no fun, no furniture, and no free time."

All of this said, research tells us that parents and caregivers can significantly reduce their own stress levels if they take care of their own needs as well. They need to make it a priority if they are to be successful in taking care of their child with special needs.

How can parents or caregivers support each other as well as the child? Common sense tells us they can openly express their concerns and thoughts. They can work out conflicts, not letting emotions build up or feelings go unspoken. These qualities are important for all families, but even more critical in families of children with SED.

What we are talking about is the rearranging of priorities within a family. In a sense, parents and caregivers need to "redefine" their approach to life. One parent spoke of this process as shifting personal energy from the grieving process to "accommodating life." How eloquent! This is a process that takes time. An important part of the process is acknowledging that the needs of the parents are legitimate. A sense of humor is invaluable and so is finding a little time for oneself. We also know that connecting with other parents is very beneficial. Parents can use relationships with other parents to help preserve their own energy and to reinforce them when the tide is in.

So, if you are not already tending to your own needs, go ahead and spoil yourself a little. Find some respite; enjoy reading the paper everyday! As Martha Stuart says, "It’s a good thing."

(Source: "Meeting the Challenge" by Frank J. Doberman, Ph.D., December 1998