New Developments in Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Adolescence with its specific challenges has been neglected in research as well as in diagnostics and therapy for a long time. Half of the psychiatric disorders of adults have their onset in youth and several child psychiatric disorders have a major importance for later periods in adulthood. For example both Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) and suicidality (such as suicidal ideation, suicide attempts) resp. ADHD start in adolescence. Especially ADHD is a life-span-disorder which leads to significant impairments in every-day-life and is often accompanied by comorbid disorders. The question of adolescental development has implications for therapists, supporting systems, society and politics.