Psychosocial aspects of chronic illness in adolescence.

Success in the survival of children with significant medical conditions has resulted in a dramatic increase in the prevalence of adolescents with chronic illness. Unfortunately, the traditional biomedical approach does not prepare practitioners for the complexities of managing chronic illness, because numerous psychosocial factors are involved. This article will address the need for integrating psychosocial issues into the assessment and treatment of the chronically ill adolescent. Assessment of the teen should incorporate an understanding of the developmental stages of adolescence, a review of how these developmental tasks are being accomplished, a discernment of individual characteristics, and knowledge of the family and community to which they belong. Management should take into account the phases of illness (acute, chronic or terminal) and encourage empowerment of the adolescent and family in decision making. A team approach that is community-based, comprehensive, and culturally appropriate is ideal.

Diagnostico diferencial de los sintomas funcionales del adolescente. / Differential diagnosis of the functional symptoms of the adolescent

Los sintomas funcionales constituyen la causa mas frecuente de consulta medica por parte del paciente adolescente. Las quejas pueden coexistir con enfermedades organicas de menor y mayor importancia. La primera tarea del medico es distinguir el componente organico del funcional. Pero, asi como toda condicion organica exige una evaluacion diagnostica y un plan de tratamiento, cada desorden funcional requiere a su vez una variada estrategia. El medico, debe, por lo tanto, mantenerse alerta a la necesidad de profundizar el diagnostico diferencial de los sintomas funcionales del adolescente. Este articulo propone una definicion de sintomas funcionales, los clasifica y sugiere tecnicas para su tratamiento