the adolescent brain under stress michael nerney and associates p.o. box 93 long lake, ny,...
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THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN
UNDER STRESS
Michael Nerney and AssociatesP.O. Box 93
Long Lake, NY, 12847-0093518-624-5351
Chemical Trigger for Puberty
Kisspeptin
Signal to Endocrine System
Production of New Hormones
Male/Female
DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES
Pituitary Growth Hormone (PGH)
Physical Growth
Skeletal
Muscular
Head and Face
Self Esteem drop Spotlight phenomenon
ADOLESCENT HORMONES
Testosterone Primary and Secondary Sex Characteristics
Estrogen Primary and Secondary Sex Characteristics
ADOLESCENT HORMONES, CONT.
200 Billion Cells
Grey Matter White Matter
Migration and Activation
Cell Migration Benchmarks
WHY IS THIS BRAIN AT RISK?
Emotional Intensity
2 to 4 Times
More Frequent Change
Male/Female
Legitimate/Normal
WHY IS THIS BRAIN AT RISK?CONT.
Risk Taking New Sites of Activity Influence of Peers Male/Female
Problem Solving No Load Social/Emotional Crisis
WHY IS THIS BRAIN AT RISK?CONT.
Problem Solving Social/Emotional Crisis
The Crisis Chemical THP
Emotional Support Essential
WHY IS THIS BRAIN AT RISK?CONT.
Migration and Activation
Cell Migration L1
Benchmarks “I Know!” Open Conflict
Don’t Take It Personally
TEENS AND CONFLICT
Family Dysfunction #1 Risk Factor
Emotional and Learning Disorders
School FailureSocial Isolation
RISK FACTORS
13-23
Highest stress First time ever
27% Extreme stress 8-10
55% Moderate stress 5-7
STRESS IN AMERICA-APA STUDY
Brain Chemical Response when situations are perceived as:
Diffi cult, Dangerous or Painful
Situations can be Physical, Academic, Social, Emotional
Demands are perceived to exceed existing resources
STRESS DEFINED
Emotional cost
Negative emotions AnxietyDepressionFrustrationAnger
Shift in age for suicidal behaviors
STRESS IN AMERICA
Release of chemicals, including:
Norepinephrine
Cortisol B
Adrenaline
Glucocortcoids
STRESS RESPONSE
Fight or Flight; Freeze; Tend and Befriend
Heart Rate Increases
Blood Pressure Increases
Rate of Respiration Increases
Hyper-vigilance
GI Activity – lump in throat, knot in stomach
STRESS RESPONSE, CONTINUED
Prefrontal cortex
GATA1 transcription factor
Synaptic connections
GlucocorticoidsHippocampus receptorsDiminished volume
STRESS RESPONSE
Brain Jam – Perseverating Thoughts
Impact on: Sleep
Appetite
Mood
Behaviors
Relationships
STRESS RESPONSE, CONTINUED
Flee the Scene
Break Down and Cry
Snarky Eff ect
“Catastrophize”
Negative Self-Talk
NEGATIVE RESPONSES TO STRESS
DEPRESSION AT COLLEGE
The second leading cause of death on college campuses (after accidents) is suicide.
86% of college students have felt overwhelmed.
81% have felt exhausted.
30% have felt too depressed to function.
6.6% of college students have seriously considered suicide.
Not good enough
The Perfection Standard
An A+ is unacceptable
I have redone this 5 times
Better than everyone
INNER FORCES
NEEDS WORK!
Drug and Alcohol Use
Medicate for Feelings
Limited Practice Skills No Life Skills
Social/Emotional Relationship
Adult Brain Less Fire Power Harder Work
HIGH RISK BEHAVIORS
Brain Changes Related to Substance Abuse
Reward System Shutdown Systemic Chemical Change CREB
Embedded Emotional Memory New Protein Activity PKMzeta
CONCERNS
10% Loss of Volume in Prefrontal Cortex
Executive Function
Learning
Reasoning
LONG TERM OUTCOMES OFUNDERAGE DRINKING AND
DRUG ABUSE
BULLIES
How many are there? 10-15% Male/Female 12% 12% 38% 20% Homophobic taunts
Intentional Meanness As many as 30% Males-26% Females-24% H-T
BULLIES, CONTINUED
How do they get away with it?
Transitions
Areas of low supervision
Ineffective interventions
BULLIES, CONTINUED
What do they do?
Verbal: Teasing, taunting, Name-call ing, threatening
Social: Excluding, isolating, Starting rumors, embarrassing
Physical: Striking, tr ipping, spitt ing Property destruction
BULLIES, CONT.
Why should you help? Negative Emotions and Stress Chemistry
Change in neural activity
Change in Area 25 Sleep Disorders Low self esteem Depression Suicide
INEFFECTIVE TACTICS, CONTINUED
Felicia had reported the taunts to an administrator, who arranged mediation sessions between Felicia and the boys she said were harassing her. Police are now investigating her death. Neither they nor the Education Department nor the school would comment on the bullying allegations.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Strong System-Wide Value
Policies and Rules Posted
Plan for Supervision
Central Reporting
Consistent Consequences
Focus on Breathing
Present Moment
Counting
Feel Inhale and Exhale
Stray Thoughts Noted and Released
SKILLS, CONTINUED
Grounding
Sensory Inputs Visualize Your Favorite Place Stray Thoughts Noted and Release
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Start at Your Toes Work Up to Your Forehead Stray Thoughts Noted and Released
SKILLS, CONTINUED
Classroom characteristics
Quiet time
Daydream believer
Mix of competitive and cooperative
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Praise and Encouragement
Positive Reinforcement
Perseverance
Effort
Strategies
Learn from failure
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
A Work in Progress
Stages of Adolescent Development
Emerging Adult Brain
The Long and Winding Road
WHY IS THIS BRAIN AT RISK?CONT.