More Pressure During The Fragile Teen Years

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - I don't know if you remember being a teen - maybe you have just blocked it out of your mind. It's a time of growth and there is a great deal of insecurity in that transition phase between a child and an adult.

Some say that this generation is having a greater struggle than previous generations because of the increased exposure to adult issues and pressures through the mass media and, in particular, the Internet.

One example is exposure to 24-hour news and television images from all over the world. The major issue is that the immediacy of the coverage, often live, and the fact that remote areas seem right next door, can increase the stress level dramatically.

There is good news. Psychologists say the best way to deal with this is through communication. Tell your teens not to overstress and keep things in perspective.