Prolonged adolescence and DSM-III

Abstract

As consulting psychiatrist for students the author interviewed 95 20- to 25-year-old students consulting her from different institutions of higher education in Stockholm. In the group typical problems of adolescence were found; 68% had difficulties in their heterosexual adjustment, and 67% had problems connected with liberation from parents. The author draws attention to the possibility of including developmental aspects in diagnoses of young people, using DSM-III. The concept of prolonged adolescence is discussed.

Key Words:

• Adjustment disorder
• Identity disorder
• Phase of life problem
• Prolonged adolescence