Adolescent Psychiatry - Volume 9, Issue 1, 2019

Background: Youth with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) referred to treatment from the Juvenile Justice System (JJS) account for approximately half of the treatment admissions nationwide. The objective of this paper is to report a comparison of retention and outcomes for JJS referrals to those from the general community. Methods: A total of 172 adolescents, 13-18 years of age, 83% males, 70% JJS referrals, diagnosed with DS Read More

Background: Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) can improve mental health and well-being in adolescents with chronic illnesses. However, there are many barriers such as reduced mobility and distance which compromise accessibility to MBIs. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the Mindful Awareness and Resilience Skills for Adolescents (MARS-A) program in youth with chronic illnes Read More

Background and Objective: Adolescents experiencing mental health problems often approach their peers rather than seeking professional help. A better understanding of adolescents’ stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness will help inform interventions that aim to improve the quality of advice that young people provide to their peers. In particular, there is a need for research examining adolescents’ attitudes towards alc Read More

Background: Despite increased attention and recognition of autism spectrum disorders, many patients suffering from these disorders remain undiagnosed or are diagnosed late due to their subtle clinical presentation. The challenge for clinicians working in the field of mental health is not in screening and diagnosing young children showing typical signs of autism spectrum disorders, but rather in identifying patients at the hig Read More

Background and Objectives: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is characterized by an abnormal preoccupation with alleged misshapen body parts. There is often poor insight and effort is made to hide the imagined defects, and consultation may be sought seeking unnecessary cosmetic surgery or procedures. It is underdiagnosed and established treatment protocols are lacking. The disease has a chronic and undulating course a Read More

Background and Goals: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) exist in Africa as they do everywhere in the world. Historically they have been under recognized and under studied. The aim of this paper is to review the existing challenges of ASD care and diagnosis in Africa, with a view to describing workable unique strategies deployable within the continent. Methods: We present an overview of the existing medical literatu Read More