Adekemi Oguntala MD The Teen Doctor
Media Kit
theteendoc.com...changing the world one teen at a time.
What teens are up against Being a teenager now is harder than ever. Which is why teen-health experts are so valuable.
Why do so many high school students commit suicide? Why are so many teenage girls getting pregnant? Why is there widespread drug abuse among teens? Who can we turn to for dependable answers? The life of a teen today is very different from what it used to be. Sure, some things will never change—there will always be impossible geometry tests—but the psychological aspects of teenage life are drastically different. Why is being a teenager today so complicated? Because of a whole spate of reasons, many of which are interconnected. One big issue facing teens, especially females, is body image and nutrition. Many teenage girls are overly critical of their weight and looks. This is nothing new. But due to the less-thanfavorable messages from mass media and marketing, there’s more pressure than ever to be hot and thin. Need proof? Watch TV for 30 seconds. In 2005 the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, which monitors health-risk behaviors among U.S. teens, reported that 45.6% of students were trying to lose weight. What’s more, 12.3% had, at one point, not eaten for 24 or more hours in an attempt to lose weight. Next to abusing hard drugs, simply not eating is one of the worst things a kid can do, and yet millions are doing it. It’s likely that teens with eating disorders will, at some time, also suffer from depression, as the conditions often go handin-hand. Teenagers can become depressed for any number of reasons: family troubles, break-ups, pressure to succeed
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and drug use. In that same survey, 28.5% of students said they’d felt sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in a row, causing them to stop doing an every-day activity such as attending a team practice. For 12 months before the survey was taken, 16.9% had seriously considered committing suicide. That’s a disconcertingly large segment of the American teenage population. In addition, today’s teens are more sexually active than previous generations. A third of those students said they’d had sexual intercourse with one or more partners 30 days before taking the survey.
“In 2005 the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, which monitors health-risk behaviors among U.S. teens, reported that 45.6% of students were trying to lose weight. What’s more, 12.3% had, at one point, not eaten for 24 or more hours in an attempt to lose weight.”
Increases in drinking and drug use, violent behavior, and sexual relationships—they’re all connected. They’re all part of being a teen today. While not every single teenager is facing these problems, many are. And though surveys shouldn’t be taken as gospel, they do provide us with good indicators of the truth. The bottom line is, it’s complicated. Answers to questions like “Why is my child anorexic?” aren’t simple. That’s why we need experts to illuminate tough issues. The Teen Doc, Adekemi O. Oguntala, MD is a certified teen-health doctor who’s made helping teens and their families her life’s work. By focusing on issues like sexual development, substance abuse and problems at school, she’s built up a body of knowledge which she uses to educate students and engage audiences. Have a question about teens and health? Please visit theteendoctor.com.
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The Teen Doc Dr. Adekemi Oguntala is an adolescent specialist, which means she is on the forefront of teen issues like homelessness, delinquency, school underachievement or failure, gang related activity, social interactions, weight concerns, (both over and under weight), substance use and abuse, depression and suicide, sexual activity and orientation and “finally”; issues of violence - whether it be of a sexual, physical or verbal in nature. “TheTeenDoc.com is an online place where adults can learn about teens and get some insight about what makes them tick so that parents can improve the relationship with a teen in their life.” Dr. Oguntala’s hope is that teens can also learn from this site and get tips and resources on how they can begin to think about changes they can make in their lives, aspire to be as unique as possible, have the confidence to listen to their gut and believe that they have value. Teens are worth it. Working with and living with teens can be frustrating, rewarding and challenging, but it is worth the privilege to be there as they evolve into the amazing adults they become.
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“TheTeenDoc.com is an online place where adults can learn about teens and get some insight about what makes them tick so that parents can improve the relationship with a teen in their life.”
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NUTRITION
VIOLENCE
DEPRESSION
45.6% of students were trying to
7.5% of students had been physically
28.5% of students have felt sad or
25.6%
16.9% of students have seriously
28.5% of students have ridden in
lose weight.
40.7% of students have eaten less food, fewer calories or foods low in fat to lose weight or keep from gaining weight.
12.3%
of students have gone without eating for twenty four or more hours to lose weight or keep from gaining weight.
forced to have sex when they did not want to.
9.2% of students nationwide have
been hit, slapped or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the past 12 months.
6%
of students have not gone to school on one or more days in the thirty days before the survey because they feared for their safety on the way to or from school.
hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in a row that they stopped doing some usual activity.
considered attempting suicide for twelve months before the survey.
Sexual activity
33.9%
of students have sexual intercourse with one or more persons thirty days before the survey.
33.9%
of students have sexual intercourse with one or more persons thirty days before the survey.
SUBSTANCE USE
of students have drunk alcohol (more than a few sips) for the first time before the age of thirteen.
car one or more times with someone who had been drinking alcohol.
25.5% of students have had five or
more drinks of alcohol in a row (within a couple of hours) on one or more days thirty days before the survey.
20.2%
of students have used marijuana one or more times thirty days before the survey.
* Robertson, M., Toro P(1998) Homeless Youth, Research, Intervention, and policy, and practical lessons.: The National Symposium on Homeless Research. Washington, DC Dept of Housing and Urban development, US dept of health and Human Services. **National Center for Education Statistics: Drop out Rates for the year 2000. CDC MMWR Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance –United States, 2005
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Adekemi “Kemi” Oguntala biography & credentials My decision to become an adolescent specialist developed from the realization that many adults have trouble with teens. I frequently see parents roll their eyes or wrinkle their brow about their teen. During my pediatric training at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, other doctors would gladly give me their teen patients because they knew I loved teens and that teen issues can be overwhelming. I seemed to have an innate interest in and affinity for teens and realized that the rest of the world had a general lack of understanding about why teens behaved the way they did. Teens needed better interpreters. I strongly believe that once you have a sense of what is going on psychologically for teens, understanding and empathy will change how you react to their behavior. A mature and supportive attitude will help shape them into the self-sufficient and confident adults we want them to be. Parents will frequently ask me, Do I need a teen doc? I really like Dr. Jones, and Cassandra has been seeing Dr. Jones since she was a little “baby.” My answer is always that there is no problem with staying with your general pediatrician. However, a teen doctor does have a lot of experience in the medical and developmental changes in teens that can frustrate parents and other adults. My specialization helps me facilitate the transition of your teen from childhood to adulthood without you two driving each other too crazy. As a teen doc I am very comfortable with issues of homelessness, delinquency, school underachievement
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or failure, gang related activity, social interactions, weight concerns, (both over and under weight), substance use and abuse, depression and suicide, sexual activity and orientation and “finally”; issues of violence - whether they are of a sexual, physical or verbal nature. These are the issues that make up a lot of what worries teens. They are the healthiest group in our country and almost everything bad that happens to them is a result of their own poor decision making skills.
“A teen doctor does have a lot of experience in the medical and developmental changes in teens that can frustrate parents and other adults. Obviously I deal with these issues one-on-one with patients that I see in my office, but I also have the unique opportunity to educate teens, doctors and other clinicians that work with teens, parents, and teachers on various topics concerning teens today. My approach has been described as energetic and easy to understand. I am
able to simplify complicated information and concepts so people have a better understanding of a topic by the time they leave my office or my presentation. I have been able to do this within a multicultural context having completed all of my education in some of the richest ethnic communities in the United States. I have a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley, CA. I have an M.D. from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University, now called Drexel University College of Medicine, and completed training in pediatric medicine at St Christopher’s hospital for Children, both located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and then completed my adolescent medicine or teen medicine fellowship at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. These communities that were impoverished, privileged, immigrant and middle or upper class allowed me to communicate comfortably with a variety of patients while taking into consideration their social and cultural contexts. Those who have come to me for healthcare or heard me speak understand the passion I have for teen medicine. It is my passion for teen medicine that has made me want to change the world one teen at a time.
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Adekemi “Kemi” Oguntala, MD Education Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California. Fellowship in Adolescent Medicine. 7/02-6/05. Saint Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Residency in Pediatrics. 6/99-6/02. Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. MD, Degree of Doctor of Medicine, Awarded May 1999. University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California. BA, Integrative Biology, Minor: African-American Studies, Awarded May 1992.
Honors Center of Excellence Fellow Stanford University School of Medicine, 2002-2005
Association Memberships American Medical Association American Public Health Association American Academy of Pediatrics Society for Adolescent Medicine California Medical Association
Presentations :: Healthcare Issues in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual &Transgender Adolescents. ::
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Grand Rounds Los Angeles Dept of Public Health Children’s Hospital & Research Center at Oakland :: Club Drugs :: St. Louise Regional Hospital Grand Rounds, Gilroy, CA Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System Grand Round Salinas, CA Stanford’s 3rd Annual Clinical Update in Adult Medicine Palo Alto, CA Lucile Packard 14th Annual Pediatric Update Palo Alto, CA
:: Adolescent Rebellion: is it normal?::
:: Primary Care Grief Counseling ::
Regional Medical Center San Jose, CA Good Samaritan Hospital San Jose, CA
MCP-Hahnemann Family Medicine Clinic, Philadelphia, PA :: Other Conferences ::
:: :: :: :: ::
Bullying :: Eating disorders :: Depression :: Multicultural Families :: Corporal Punishment ::
Saint Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia PA
Kaiser Permanente’s 28th annual National Diversity Conference November 2006 131st annual meeting of the American Public Health Association American academy of Pediatrics: Adolescent health conference December 2006
:: Adolescent Health Maintenance Visit Club Drugs :: :: Performance Enhancing Drugs Contraception :: Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA San Juaquin General Hospital, Stockton, CA St Joseph’s Hospital, Stockton, CA :: Eating Disorders :: East Palo Alto High School, East Palo Alto,CA Planned Parenthood, Redwood City, CA :: Contraception and Sexually Transmitted Diseases :: Castlemont High School, Oakland, CA El Camino High School Daly City, CA Gateway High School San Francisco, CA :: Alcohol Use :: Piedmont High School Piedmont, CA Albany High School, Albany CA Kaiser Permanente Hospital Santa Clara, CA
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Grand Rounds
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Survival tips for Teens
Adolescence is one of the more difficult time in the many people’s lives. it can be a time of doubt, confusion and discovery. When we leave of childhood behind and step into adulthood.
“Adolescence is a time when teens fight for their inde pendence and push their parents away while truly needing their parents all the more” said Dr. Adekemi Oguntala (http://theteendoc.com/) expert in adolescent medicine. Dr Oguntala strongly believes that with the right help, teenagers can pass this stage in a more pleasant way. These are some tips that can help teens develop their sense of themselves:
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Know yourself
In this stage, other people are going to make you fit their idea of who you should be. It is important to be prepared for this by knowing yourself. “You have to know who you are and what you want out of life, what you are looking for in a friend, in a spouse, a career” said Dr Oguntala. “You have to know yourself so well that you can tell when a situation or a group of people are good or bad for you” Dr Oguntala recommends. This is hard to do if you let other people define you. If you spend your teen years getting to know yourself, you are going to be much better prepared for life’s challenges.
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Parents love you
”I meet a lot of parents. Most parents I meet are loving and caring and yes, sometimes too involved, but most are
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really devoted to you, their teen” said Dr Kemi Oguntala. Teens have to remember that when they yell at their parents or try and shut them out, they are hurting their feelings. Parents are not so good when their feelings are hurt. “If you want to get the best out of your parents ask them about their day, tell them about yours, give them a hug and tell them that you love them. You are going to get more of what you want if you have a good relationship with your parents” said Dr Oguntala.
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Friends
As a teen your friends become very important, more important than family sometimes. For some teens, it is hard to put this into a big picture. Having friends is great. Hanging out with friends is great. But friends should not affect your school work, your devotion to your family or your commitment to yourself. “If you have to change who you are to be with your friends, or you spend more time texting, IMing, chatting or talking on the phone to clean up “drama” among your friends than you spend studying or hanging out with family, you are probably not with friends” said Dr Oguntala.
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scarier is adding a spouse, children, rent or a mortgage. These uncertainties can paralyze people with fear. I am referring to adults. But you cannot let these fears stop you from trying. “Try things that scare you, so that you have a sense of what you are capable of. That does not mean irresponsible risks. You do not need to drink a bottle of Patrón and then drive a car. No, no. I mean challenge yourself to apply to that unsafe school, call a mentor that you admire even if you think they won’t return your call, go out for a lead in the school play” said Dr Oguntala. Try a new sport. Take a college class. These risks will build your confidence and you will go farther than you ever thought you could.
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You have more power than you think
One of the biggest problems with some teens is that they give their power away. You have a choice in almost everything that happens to you in life. The drug addict has a choice about picking up that first crack pipe, the drop out had a choice to get tutorial help with the first F they received, and the pregnant teen had a choice about getting birth control before their first time. You have a choice. If your parents seem unwilling to give you things you want, think about changes you can make in yourself to get them to change their minds. “Don’t give your power away because it is easy to sit and blame your troubles on someone else. You are so much better than that” assures Dr Oguntala.
Think it you are it
You will find that people tend to label other people. It makes them feel more comfortable. You are the pretty person, the ugly person or the dumb person. The hard part about hearing these labels is not believing them. “It is very important that you think about who you want to be. It will allow you to have the views of others roll off of you” said Dr Oguntala. If you think you are smart, then that is what you are. And if you say you are bad at math, then that is true as well. If you think and believe you are something, you become that belief. You can aspire to your good thoughts of yourself. The only opinion about yourself that counts is yours, so make it a good one.
“You can aspire to your good thoughts of yourself. The only opinion about yourself that counts is yours so make it a good one.”
Fear
Real life can be scary sometimes, your grades, applying to college, your career, responsibility –all very scary. Even
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Parenting a Foster Teen
with imperfections, and vulnerabilities in their parents can cause confusion; especially, as issues of abandonment, or infidelity previously seen as having a good or bad guy are re-evaluated. Identity development can be more difficult when a teen has no connection to their biological roots. They may wonder where they get their eye color,
“It is important to be supportive no matter what stage your teen is in and meet them where they are.”
Whether you are a biological or foster parent of a teen or you have adopted them, thoughts of the quality of your parenting go through your mind. Thankfully teens do not need perfect parents. They need good enough parents. With education and a great deal of empathy and patience; good parenting, although challenging at times, is much more doable than perfect parenting. Understanding the stages of teen development allows patient and empathetic parenting. There are three stages of being a teen (early, middle and late). At the core of these stages is the evolution of identity that involves four jobs or tasks of the teen: 1)The independence struggle (gaining independence from parents); 2)Friends (increased attachment to friends begins a lesson in the world around them, and how to socialize); 3)Body awareness and acceptance (because self-esteem and worth is commonly linked with body image); and 4)Establishing identity (e.g. spiritual, sexual, occupational and moral). These stages occur 1-2 years earlier for girls and transition the teen from childhood to adulthood.
:: Early Teen: ages ten to thirteen. :: The independence struggle begins when sudden irritability, sometimes rudeness and moodiness dominate a previously respectful and sweet child. Parents recognize this almost immediately. Parenting the early teen requires sensitivity about your teen’s desire for privacy and independence. It is very important that parents do not take this personally. Your teen still loves you; they
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just need to see if they can make their own choices. So schedule opportunities to check-in with them, establish rules for socializing, like curfews, and present these rules with their consequences early. And be consistent enforcing the consequences, because your consistency gives your teen a sense of security.
or who is their personality most like. This can make them feel unconnected and alone even though they have loving foster or adoptive parents. Although it is hard, please do not take this personally. Support them in their quest not for their biological parents, although that is what they may ask for, but for themselves. Any attempts to inhibit this will be met with hostility and resentment by your teen, and can prevent their maturity to an adult, while compromising their relationship with you.
“Identity development in the early teen is in the earliest stages.”
:: Middle Teen: Ages fourteen to sixteen. :: Friends are all too important in the early teen’s life. Early teens seem to chat constantly by internet, phone, or instant messaging. Friends can take on such an important role in your teen’s life that their academics and family commitments may suffer. Parents, ask questions about their friends, invite their friends to socialize at your house, call their parents when they socialize at their house, and offer to be the carpool parent. Being the quiet fly in the car when teens are chatting away, gives you an opportunity to learn about your teen and their friends. Body awareness and acceptance is really an ongoing process, but it is first seen in the early teen. Early teens often
compare themselves to others, and are vulnerable to seeing themselves through the comments of others. Reserve harsh criticisms for safety concerns and try and outweigh them with words of encouragement and support. Identity development (e.g. spiritual, sexual, occupational and moral) in the early teen is in the earliest stages. Teens may question their spiritual upbringing and refuse traditions. They may realize they are a sexual minority (gay or a lesbian), or begin to wonder about future career aspirations. Their moral development when confronted
The independence struggle is slightly easier for the middle teen and if they have a friend with a car you may see them even less. Teens become consumed with their social, academic and athletic lives. They may also have a significant other, job, or other extra-curricular commitments. Their lives no longer revolve around what parent’s want to do. Support them, but continue to checkin to be sure they are doing alright. Friends continue to take up a large portion of their time. It is important for parents to allow this with age appropriate rules and some form of continued connection to family. And be creative about connecting with your teen, learn to
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text, drop notes in their back pack, or walk in unexpected to tell them something like I am proud of you, and love who you are becoming. Do not assume they know this. Body awareness and acceptance, although still important to the middle teen, are not as high a priority. With current trends, body art and piercing may be a more common request than dissatisfaction with their appearance. Identity development in the middle teen is exemplified by their need to challenge authority, feelings of omnipotence and high risk-behavior. Their brain continues to develop from concrete to abstract thought. Concrete thinkers have no ability to realize that today’s actions have an affect on the future. So they are not intentionally being difficult when they repeat mistakes and high-risk behaviors, they simply do not understand that what you do today has
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Like all stages, there is always the potential to repeat stages or regress when life presents a situation that is too overwhelming. consequences in the future. Be patient, and only give them more responsibility as you feel they can handle it. Discuss how their behavior influences your decision to give them more responsibility so they begin to understand how the power to change your mind is within their control. To do this well, they must know exactly what your expectations are, which should be realistic.
:: Late Teen: Ages 17 to 21 years at least. The independence struggle should no longer be a struggle for the late teen. They have separated successfully and realize that their parents are actually a great resource. They may even ask for advice. Friends for the late teen can be few, but meaningful. The key is that the relationships have a quality of intimacy and sharing, and therefore long term romantic relationships are common. Body awareness and acceptance for the late teen is less of an issue if all has gone well, and there have been no body issues (anorexia, or obesity), or deforming accidents. Late teens are comfortable with themselves.
Identity development for the late teen has almost crystallized. They have developed their own value system. Because brain development continues until age 25 years, they continue to mature and define themselves. Like all stages, there is always the potential to repeat stages or regress when life presents a situation that is too overwhelming. So it is important to be supportive, no matter what stage your teen is in and meet them where they are, rather than expect too little or too much of them. Finally, remember that teens know on a gut level that they need you. They may not always say it, but they appreciate your courage and commitment to always be there.
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Sexual Identity What to do with your questions about sex Teens are bombarded with images of sexuality everywhere: magazines, movies, television. But what is sexuality? Sexuality is the expression of sexual behavior. Sexual behavior comes so easily that teens were probably first aware of it as a toddler when they wanted naked time. Adults know this as well and some are very uneasy with that expression. This makes it very hard for a teen to talk about their sexuality with adults and it makes it very hard for adults to give you the guidance that you need to express your sexuality in a mature and responsible way.
“Once you find someone to whom you can ask what you think is the craziest question, you can feel more confident about your sexual expression and keep yourself healthy.”
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“I discuss family planning and sexual health issues with teens all of the time. As a teen doc, I think it is important to bring it up first because I want teens to know that I think their sexuality is normal” said Dr Adekemi Oguntala (www. theteendoc.com). Teens are in the awkward position of having these intense feelings, possibly wanting to express them, but depending on your family values, you may be forbidden to express that sexuality or you may not have the guidance to learn a mature way of expressing your sexuality. But what is meant by mature expression of one’s sexuality? Being mature, is taking full responsibility for your sexual health. This means understanding the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, the aftermath of rumors being spread about things you may or may not have done or being labeled a “slut” when you did nothing at all. You need to be mature enough to understand the disappointment of being dumped after you finally have sex. This part of becoming sexually active is rarely glamorized, but this is usually why adults ask you to wait. They understand that adults in their 30’s and 40’s do not handle these situations well. If it is too much for adults, how can you think it is not a big deal? In this day and age, irresponsible sex has serious implications for your future happiness and self-esteem.
“It is very helpful for teens to talk with their parents about their sexuality.” It is very helpful for teens to talk with their parents about their sexuality, but understand that they are not always able to do so. Some parents really cannot bear this type of conversation and not all the teens have an aunt or uncle with whom they can talk openly. However, not having open parents is no excuse for not having an adult to guide you.This is not an excuse for being irresponsible with your sexuality. The internet is a great place to start for information, but it does not take the place of a real adult. Hopefully this person, if not a healthcare worker, can provide resources for low-cost or free confidential services that cover reproductive health such as pregnancy tests, sexually transmitted disease testing and pregnancy prevention or termination assistance. Once you find someone whom you can ask what you think is the craziest question, you can feel more confident about your sexual expression and keep yourself healthy. Now, that is not something they tell you in the magazines, movies or television. There is nothing sexy about telling a future partner that you have genital warts or HIV. Educate yourself and take an active role in keeping yourself safe and healthy.
“I make it a point to ask who my patients are sexually attracted to: guys, girls, both or undecided. And, I make it a point to ask whether they are engaging in any type of sex: oral, anal or vaginal. Whether or not there is a risk of pregnancy, I want to keep my patient’s safe. I can’t do that well if I am not comfortable asking who you are doing it with and what you are doing” assures Dr. Oguntala.
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Teen Suicide: A Preventable Tragedy Depression is the leading cause of suicide; it is, however, a preventable tragedy. “I wish I were dead!” How many parents have heard that in response to a parental authoritative, no? Many parents sigh while rolling their eyes and wonder to themselves if they were that dramatic at that age, and then continue with what they were doing. But, there is always the thought, were they serious? Could she really hurt herself? It is only a silly party. As a parent, how do you know? Can you afford to guess wrong? Parents who know about the triggers for suicide are able to guess better. And unlike movies that portray dramatic events to be the cause of suicide, the actual leading cause of suicide is depression. Dr Adekemi Oguntala, a specialist known as the Teen Doc (http://www.theteendoc.com/), always ask teens about feeling sad or depressed. After all, it is a common emotion experienced by anyone. “I specifically ask about depression because it is commonly associated with suicide. Depression is common in teens in general and teen girls in particular,” she concludes. This is not to say that teen boys do not suffer from depression, but girls tend to experience it more. For this reason alone it is very important to recognize the signs of depression because those signs can help you identify the teens that are most at risk for suicide and other selfharming behaviors. According to Dr. Oguntala, symptoms of depression include:
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Difficulty sleeping: In general teens change sleep patterns and so they like to stay up late and sleep in. This is normal. I am referring to their inability to sleep and still wake up early. They nap all day and they are still tired and have no energy.
2 Change in appetite: Some teens may eat more and gain weight, while others may be unable to eat and lose weight. It is important to see a doctor about this because weight loss can be the cause of several medical and psychiatric conditions such as hyperthyroid disease, or anorexia nervosa respectively.
3 Loss of interest in activities, their appearance or things: Your star athlete suddenly quits the team. Your driven want-to-be architect suddenly does not care what they will do in the future. Your preppy dresser suddenly has matted hair and unclean clothes, or your coin collector is not interested in a rare find.
Parents, know your teen better than anyone, and have a sense of when things are not right, then act on that feeling. Ask your teen how they are doing. Do not take “no” for an answer. If you are concerned, take them to their doctor. Express your concerns, and ask for a recommendation for a counselor from your doctor, or school. School counselors frequently have an informed opinion because they know the happenings at school and can put your teen’s behavior in a context that you do not know. Depression can be triggered by almost anything: being overwhelmed at home or school, a change in social relationships with friends or cliques at school, bullying or other forms of violence against the teen, a genetic predisposition like having a depressed parent, especially mom, or having a relative who has committed suicide. It can be triggered by nothing at all. The brain development at this time is so complicated that it is difficult to know what exactly triggers a teen to become depressed. However, what we do know is that most teens will get better with help. The sooner, the better. This is important because there is a stigma that is associated with depression and other mental health diseases that is not associated with having a serious illness such as cancer. This is important because parents often feel like their teen can “snap out of it,” when it comes to depression, but no one would think of saying this to someone who had cancer. For this reason, parents may not take depression as seriously as
they take something like cancer. Believe me, although they are very different disease processes, depression untreated causes the third leading cause of death in older teens, suicide. The fourth is cancer. These numbers are reversed for younger teens with cancer being the third leading cause of death and suicide being the fourth. Teens want so badly to be treated like adults. They do what they can to separate, but if that process is too overwhelming for them, they may be ashamed to admit that they still need your help. Clever conversations that include acknowledgement of how much courage it takes to ask for help can help them understand how to recognize their limitations. Teens need their parents. They are the harshest with you because who better to test how far they can challenge authority, but with someone who loves them unconditionally. Do not mistake their bravado as a measure of their sense of security. Let them know it is okay to ask for help, and that is part of being an adult as well. I strongly believe that everyone has a talent that they were born to give to the world as a gift. It is the thing that makes you so unique. When teens decide to die early, they cheat the world of their talents, said Dr. Oguntala. Depression is the leading cause of suicide and depression is a preventable tragedy. The next time your teen screams, “I wish I were dead,” go to your teen, and make sure they are alright; they may be telling you more than you think. You can always finish what you were doing later.
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Change in Grades: Grades are one of the more important signs that something is wrong with your teen. If grades suddenly change, something is usually wrong. It is not a guarantee since students who are perfectionists and have perfectionism as part of their illness may achieve above average grades while suffering from depression. And, although it is not an official sign of depression, it is probably the one that should be paid the most attention and that is the parental instinct of how your teen is doing.
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What media says about TheTeenDoc.com
La Prensa
La Prensa
El Aguila Newspaper †
1 0 Años sirviendo a nuestr a comunidad / 10 Year s s er ving our community SALUD / HEALTH
EL AGUILA DEL HUDSON VALLEY
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Octubre/October 8 - Octubre/October 21, 2008
Cómo sobrevivir a la adolescencia
a adolescencia es una etapa de cambios que afecta a toda la familia. Caracterizada por el desarrollo físico acelerado y cambios emocionales profundos, puede transformar incluso al joven mas educado en un adolescente rebelde. De acuerdo a un estudio realizado por The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, los adolescentes hispanos están muy expuestos a las drogas y a la depresión y esto puede derivar en un suicidio. Pero es posible que todas las generaciones sobrevivan este asalto emocional “Una vez que puedan comprender que es lo que esta sucediendo en el cuerpo y en la cabecita del adolescente” dice la Dra. Adekemi O. Oguntala, M D. Algunos consejos de la doctora Oguntala para sobrevivir a la adolescencia
Elige sabiamente a tus amigos
No dejes que otras personas te digan quien eres. Si durante la adolescencia aprendes a conocerte estarás mejor preparado para enfrentar los desafíos de la vida.
Uno de los mayores problemas de algunos adolescentes es que dejan de lado su energía y se dejan influenciar por otros. Por lo cual terminan culpando a los demás de sus propias equivocaciones. Tienes distintas opciones para casi todo lo que suceda en tu vida. ¡Solo aférrate a tu energía! Para más información, visita: http://theteendoc.com/
Aprende a conocerte
Tus padres te aman
No pueden demostrarlo si continuamente lastimas sus sentimientos, pero realmente lo sienten. Comunícate y comparte tus emociones y experiencias con ellos.
Tener amigos es genial, pero ellos no deben afectar negativamente tu rendimiento escolar o tus relaciones familiares.
Supera tus miedos
La vida real puede asustarte, pero no tengas miedo de explorar nuevos desafíos. Realiza un nuevo deporte o un curso nuevo en la universidad - cualquier cosa que sea nueva pero no peligrosa. Tomar riesgos desarrollará tu confianza y llegaras más lejos de lo que alguna vez pensaste
Piensa en quien quieres ser
Las personas tienden a etiquetar a otras personas, a menudo erróneamente. Piensa en que tipo de persona te gustaría y sé la mejor persona que puedas. La única opinión que cuenta sobre lo que eres es la tuya.
Aprovecha tu energía interior
A
How to survive adolescence
dolescence is a time of changes that affect all families. It is characterized by accelerated physical development and deep emotional fluctuations. It can transform even the most well-mannered youth into a rebel. According to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hispanic adolescents are exposed to drugs and depression more than their non-Hispanic counterparts, and this could lead to suicide. But it is possible for all generations to survive this emotional assault, “once adolescents learn to understand what is happening in their bodies and in the heads,” said Dr. Adekemi O. Oguntala, M.D. Here is some advice from Dr. Oguntala for surviving adolescence:
Learn to know yourself
Don’t let other people tell you who you are. If you learn to know yourself you will be better prepared to face the challenges of life.
Your parents love you
They can’t show it if you continuously hurt their feelings, but they feel it. Communicate and share your emotions and experiences with them.
Select your friends wisely
Having friends is great, but they should not
negatively affect your school performance or your family relationships.
Overcome your fears
Life can scare you, but don’t be afraid to explore new challenges. Get involved in a new sport or new subject at school – anything that is new but not dangerous. Take risks: they will develop your confidence and help you go further than you ever thought possible.
Think about who you want to be
People tend to label other people, often wrongfully. Think about what type of person you would like to be and then be the best person you can be. The only opinion that counts about who you are is yours.
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Take advantage of your inner strength
One of the major problems of some adolescents is that they give up their own power and let others influence them. Because of this they can end up blaming others for their own mistakes. You have different options for almost everything that happens in your life. Stick to your power! For more information, visit: http://theteendoc.com/
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The Washington Post
New York Style
La Información 10
SALUD Y BELLEZA/HEALTH AND BEAUTY
¿Cómo Sobrevivir a la Adolescencia?
La adolescencia es una etapa de cam- lescencia aprendes a conocerte estarás ben afectar negativamente tu rendimienbios que afecta a toda la familia. Carac- mejor preparado para enfrentar los de- to escolar o tus relaciones familiares. terizada por el desarrollo físico acelera- safíos de la vida. Supera tus miedos do y cambios emocionales profundos, Tus padres te aman La vida real puede asustarte, pero no tenpuede transformar incluso al joven más No pueden demostrarlo si continua- gas miedo de explorar nuevos desafíos. educado en un adolescente rebelde. mente lastimas sus sentimientos, pero Realiza un nuevo deporte o un curso De acuerdo a un estudio realizado por The realmente lo sienten. Comunícate y nuevo en la universidad - cualquier Centers for Disease Control and Preven- comparte tus emociones y experiencias cosa que sea nueva pero no peligrosa. tion, los adolescentes hispanos están muy con ellos. Conseguirás más de lo que Tomar riesgos desarrollará tu confianza expuestos a las drogas y a la depresión que quieres si tienes una buena relación con y llegarás más lejos de lo que alguna vez puede derivar en un suicidio. pensaste tus padres. Pero es posible que todas las generaElige sabiamente a tus amigos Piensa en quién quieres ser ciones sobrevivan este asalto emocional Tener amigos es genial, pero ellos no deLas personas tienden a etiquetar a “Una vez que puedan comprender otras personas, a menudo erróneaque es lo que está sucediendo en el mente. Piensa en que tipo de persocuerpo y en la cabecita del adolesna te gustaría y sé la mejor persona cente” dice “La Dra. Adolescente,” que puedas. La única opinión que Adekemi O. Oguntala, M D. “Una cuenta sobre lo que eres es la tuya. actitud madura y de apoyo ayudará Aprovecha tu energía interior a los adolescentes a convertirse en Uno de los mayores problemas los adultos autosuficientes y confide algunos adolescentes es que dedentes que quisiéramos que sean.” jan de lado su energía y se dejan Algunos consejos de la doctora influenciar por otros. Por lo cual Oguntala para sobrevivir a la adoterminan culpando a los demás de lescencia sus propias equivocaciones. Tienes Aprende a conocerte Si durante la adolescencia el joven aprende distintas opciones para casi todo No dejes que otras personas te di- a conocerse, estará mejor preparado para lo que suceda en tu vida. ¡Sólo aférrate a tu energía! gan quien eres. Si durante la ado- enfrentar los desafíos de la vida.
28 de Agosto al 3 de Septiembre del 2008
Científicos surcoreanos dijeron ayer que han encontrado el mecanismo que provoca la osteoporosis, lo que abre nuevas posibilidades para tratar esta enfermedad que afecta a numerosas personas en todo el mundo, según Yonhap. El equipo de investigación de la Universidad Nacional de Seúl dirigido por Kim Hong-hee explicó que el estudio confirmó que la proteína denominada CK-B activa un proceso que debilita la integridad de los huesos. Kim indicó que al suprimir esta proteína en
ratones de laboratorio, los científicos impidieron la debilidad de los huesos que normalmente afecta a personas mayores, un descubrimiento publicado en la revista Nature Medicine. En la actualidad, los enfermos de osteoporosis toman calcio y vitamina D para retrasar el deterioro de los huesos, aunque estas medidas a veces causan otras complicaciones. Según Kim Hong-hee y otros investigadores, con este descubrimiento se podrían facilitar nuevos estudios para tratar esta enfermedad con las mínimas repercusiones.
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“Cuando yo no sabía qué hacer, ellos se encargaron de todo.” 22 www.theteendoc.com
Descubren Causa de la Osteoporosis
Tantas familias nos escriben para decirnos lo mucho que agradecen nuestra guía y asistencia. No es falta de humildad. Simplemente reconocemos que la preparación de los arreglos funerarios es algo estresante para cualquier persona y es nuestro trabajo facilitar las cosas lo más
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PAR E NTI NG
P R ACTI CAL MAT TE R S
b y Li z S i l b e r
the teen guide
Adolescence is notoriously difficult for both parents and kids, but it is possible to survive the ups and
downs of the “awkward stage.”
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P H OTO: R O B E R T D O D G E
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the world one teen at a time.
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Testimonials
FROM PARENTS “Dr. Oguntala has a passionate commitment to teen health issues, which I have watched develop since I first knew her when she was an undergraduate at UC Berkeley. The combination of her extraordinary energy and her deep belief in the importance of the field of adolescent medicine make her a huge force for the advocacy of this critical specialty. She is an inspiring speaker who has the ability to grasp and articulate the big picture of teen health, and how it impacts the whole society. This field is a calling for her, and what a gift to us all that is! ” Tyrell Collins “Very happy with all the results. A pleasure to be a patient. I like how she explains everything. Happy with everything.” Paz H.
FROM TEENS “Everything was great. The best doctor I have had. Great communication skills, very polite. Will be returning.” Jasmine P. “Dr. O, You are my favorite doctor yet! My previous doctors haven’t been so caring and concerned. Your smile brightens up my day! I want to be a doctor now because you make the job seem fun and upspiriting! Thank you for all of your help!” Adrianna P. “I think you did very good. I learned that I have a lot of fluid, but everything looks good except that I should do some stuff to improve my weight. I would recommend Dr. Oguntala to some other people to
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because I think she was a very good doctor and she was very nice.” Mark A. “If I had to recommend Dr. Oguntala to a patient, I would say she is a great Dr. Very helpful and understanding. She always is smiling, every time I seen her and I couldn’t ask for anybody else, but Dr. oguntala. She also gives great information and advice as well.” Joelle R. “Dr. Oguntala did a great job. She answered all my questions well. Don’t change!!” Karina H.
“I think Dr. O is GREAT! I really love her office and waiting room. The environment here is very much like being at home. Even though we were late for our visit, they still were able to take us.” Linda R.
FROM DOCTOR “I like the way she helps us with teen issues like providing cheat sheets so that I can know what to do when she is not here. I know I can always call her or contact her and it is easy to refer especially teen girls who may not want me as a male doctor to her”. Bryan N.
FROM TEACHERS “Dr. Oguntala has conducted presentations on the subject of contraception and sexually transmitted infections to my ninth grade health classes for the past three years.” “Within this period I have found Dr. Oguntala eagerly and enthusiastically present vital information in a well organized professional manner. She has demonstrated patience, understanding, and friendliness while providing a situation conducive to learning. She has been very well received by my students and has prompted many questions on delicate issues teens normally would not ask most parents.” “Dr. Oguntala has demonstrated excellent command of the subject matter and has developed comprehensive knowledge and extreme competence in the area of adolescent development.” Brittany L “I consider Dr. Oguntala to be an extremely valuable speaker who contributes much to the right choices and decisions our students hopefully make on issues regarding sexual health.” Mr. James A. Cresta. Health education Department Chairman
theteendoc.com...changing the world one teen at a time.
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Contact ADEKEMI OGUNTALA, MD DrOguntala@theteendoc.com
www.theteen.com
...changing the world one teen at a time.