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        Adolescence is a period where enthusiasm and adventurism play a major role in everyone's life. It is also the turning point for many in their life and their career. For some, the peer group has a major influence and for some others the parents exert more pressure in choosing their career. Finally the destiny has its own way. This is the time when they try out new scheme of things and bikes of their friends, if they don't have one on their own. Some of them take to drugs, alcohol and other additive drugs. Some of them frequent discotheques in the weekends with or without the parents' knowledge. Because of these distractions their aim of achieving a goal gets shattered. Finally end up as a mess or a confused individual. That is why we see lot of suicide attempts in adolescent periods and finally many cases end up in intensive care units with parasuicide and some other with road traffic accidents.

        This is the time many of the youngsters get into wrong company and end up as antisocial elements or engage themselves in criminal and unlawful activities.

        Common psychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia, anxiety, mania, phobia obsession all have their onset in the adolescent period.

        Dr M Anand Pratap, consultant physician, B M Hospital, narrates one such case. A patient of his who was in his higher secondary course was pressurised by his parents for studying 20 hours out of 24 hours day by subjecting him rigorously to attend special tuitions. Finally he became a burnt out individual and he could not take up an engineering seat or a medical seat. He is loitering around joining one course for few months and discontinuing it sooner or later.

        Today's adolescent boys and girls are impulsive buyers. They buy lavishly just to satisfy their peer group that they are not lagging behind. Some of the teenagers are well read. They are aware of national issues and also are aware of the needs of their family members.

        The young guys in their adolescent period take to smoking. Drugs and alcohol as a teens' assertion of independence and individuality.

        Ninety per cent drug abusers start with alcohol and smoking. More number of youths are involved in promiscuous behaviour with their neighbours. Age is not a criteria here. Some go for dating with their friends.

        There is always a conflicting view in their mind about the conservative values of yesterday and the fast paced world of today. They also feel that they are being judged quickly and show their anger in different ways. They simply try to explore and experiment everything.

        How the adolescents cope these days?

        It depends on five factors, viz, upbringing, spending methods since childhood, frequency of outings, deprivation of money and peer group influence. Due to the explosion of information from media and magazine, they find the tricks either to excel or to fail.

        How to overcome the turbulent waters of adolescence?

        Don't do something that leads to a sleepless night and which shatters your peace. Parents should cut back on pocket money given to their children. Proper moral values and good grounding make them become a good and responsible adult.

        To the adolescents the doctor's advice is: 'Don't resent your parents and elders. Have a healthy interaction with your parents on any burning mind boggling issue'.

        Channelise your energies in the right direction and the results would be more pleasant'.

        Enjoy the privileges given by your parents in the right direction and feel more responsible and know your limits'. Instill confidence and positive thoughts'. So today's slogan should be,'Don't slip and struggle; Be calm and enjoy your future.'