CLINICAL PROBLEMS IN PRE-ADOLESCENCE BETWEEN THE STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT AND PATHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION

Abstract

Today, pre-adolescence is considered an evolutionary stage in itself with distinctive features in comparison with adjoining periods. The transitory nature of behaviour corresponds to the still-incomplete and variable structure of the personality. It should be remembered that behavioural features, at times expressed in the form of symptoms, may be transitory and are, therefore, not signs of a clinical situation. It is important to know how to recognise elements which indicate a pathological structuring “in fieri”. These are not always noticed at an early stage, particularly in the family environment. The need for appropriate educative intervention will be highlighted through three cases observed, with a view to prevention of stable pathological evolutions