Asthma in adolescence
adolescence; adolescents; asthma; puberty; teenager; teenagers; teens; management; parents; ;
Contents
Asthma in adolescence is common: up to one in 7 adolescents have wheezing some of the time. Asthma may start during the teenage years, or it may continue from a younger age.
Because the teenage years are times of great changes for young people, they need special support and understanding if they have an ongoing health problem such as asthma.
Most young people with asthma develop physically through puberty in the same way as others of their age. A few, who have severe asthma, may have delayed puberty and growth, and need extra reassurance.
If a young person is having a difficult time, remember that it may not be due to asthma. Young people with asthma can experience any of the problems that young people without asthma can experience. See the topic 'Adolescence - when times get tough'.
For more information about asthma have a look at the topic 'Asthma in children'.
Early adolescence (12 to 14 years)
Having friends and belonging to a group is extremely important to young people. They are also sensitive about the changes that are happening to their bodies due to puberty. Young adolescents often daydream and they may have huge mood swings from being very happy and excited to very down and 'moody'.
Young people of this age with asthma may have difficulty in admitting that they are in anyway different from their friends. It is hard for them not to be doing what their friends are doing, for example "hanging out" in smoky surroundings.
- They may pretend that they don't have asthma, even to themselves, and so will not manage it properly.
- Sometimes they stop using medication because they do not want to admit to having asthma.
- They may ignore signs that they are unwell rather than use their puffer when their friends are around.
- They may take risks with drugs and smoking.
If your son or daughter seems to be sad, angry or not wanting to do things with friends, he or she may be depressed. Having an ongoing health problem can be a trigger for depression in some young people. Have a look at the topic 'Teenage depression'.
Middle adolescence (14-16 years)
This age is often the most difficult for young people with asthma, as the need to belong to the group and to do what the group is doing is extremely important to them.
- They are likely to be very sensitive about their looks and be thinking a lot about personal relationships.
- It is a time when young people are wanting to be seen as individuals and to challenge parents in many ways, and this can mean challenging parents' role in managing their health problems.
- Many also don't have a sense of their own "mortality"- they have a belief that nothing will happen to them.
All of these things can make it hard for them to be careful about managing their asthma and they often resent being reminded by parents.
Late adolescence (17-20 years)
- Young men and women will now be taking more responsibility as they make decisions about their future, even if their parents are not ready for this.
- By this time they will probably have less need to do exactly what the group says and will feel more secure about making their own choices.
- They need to be in control of their health needs and problems.
What parents can do
It is important in the adolescent years to encourage your teenagers to take control of their own health and to show that you have faith in them.
- Encourage them to see their doctor without you present. If you allow and encourage this, it will show that you respect their privacy and have faith in their ability to manage their asthma.
- Involve adolescents in choosing the best management plan for themselves.
Recognise that your adolescents are developing as individuals and respect this.
- Listen to their point of view. Start to let go of the reins.
- Work on your relationship with your adolescents. Take time to get to know them.
- Regularly say positive things to your teenager. Tell her that she is looking good, trying hard, doing well or whatever you can say sincerely.
If you think that your adolescent may be taking risks that worry you, try to discuss the situation calmly.
- Listening to his point of view is very important and may help your relationship improve, even if he won't change his view.
- Use humour, but don't make fun of your adolescent.
- Avoid battles or giving orders as this will result in someone losing and things are likely to end up worse.
- You have more chance of your teenagers listening to you if you aim to give information rather than try to persuade or tell them what to do.
Try to make sure that adolescents with asthma have opportunities to have similar experiences to their friends, eg social occasions, nights out in a smoke free environment.
- If your adolescents have missed school due to illness, make your home welcoming to their friends.
- Adolescents can benefit from going to asthma camps where they are given information and can share ideas and feelings with others in the same situation.
Reminders
- Encourage adolescents to make decisions in all areas of their lives as well as in managing their asthma.
- Show them that you believe in them.
- Find an opportunity for them to talk with young adults who have asthma and are managing their own lives well, eg sportspeople.
- Don't overlook your other children. They need your time and attention as well.
- Notice and comment on improvements. Mistakes are to learn from, not to harp on!
- Remember that your adolescent is a person first, not just an 'asthmatic'.
Important Note
Adolescents with an ongoing health problem such as asthma often have more emotional ups and downs than other adolescents. If, in spite of the above suggestions, your adolescent is frequently unhappy or taking risks that endanger health, it is important to get professional support.
Resources
On-line resources in other languages
- NSW Multicultural Health Communication web site (Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Khmer/Cambodian, Korean, Lao, Macedonian, Portuguese, Russian, Serb, Spanish, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese) educational resources on-line, plus in PDF format. http://www.mhcs.health.nsw.gov.au/
References
Asthma SA
http://www.asthmasa.org.au/
Asthma Australia 'Asthma - take control: great tips for teenagers'
http://www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/info/teenagers.pdf
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.