ABSTRACT
Adolescence is a phase in the growth-process of every boy or girl. In our theoretical considerations and practical work we have to keep this in mind while we are dealing with that other thing: psychiatric illness in a boy or girl who happens to be in the age group of the adolescent or young adult. Defiance mixed with dependence, even at times extreme dependence, makes the picture of adolescence seem mad and muddled. Continuing the authors sketch of adolescence, dogmatically stated for brevity’s sake: there is only one cure for adolescence, and this is the passage of time and the passing on of the adolescent into the adult state. We must not try to cure adolescents as if they were suffering from a psychiatric disorder. Therapists offer psychotherapy to those patients who feel a need for it, or who can easily be helped to see that psychotherapy is relevant.
