The Teenage Mind

The internal experience of the young adult.

Jann Gumbiner, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and clinical professor at the University of California, Irvine College of Medicine. See full bio

November 24, 2009

Teen Pregnancy, Oprah, and Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin's book is out and she's been interviewed by Oprah and Barbara Walters. Curious about her political ambitions, I tuned into the Oprah interview. Surprisingly, Oprahs's very first question was not about politics but about Sarah's pregnant teenaged daughter, Bristol. Read More

November 3, 2009

The Marijuana Bill and Youth

City councils are cracking down on pot dispensaries. The city of Dana Point subpoenaed the patient lists from all of its local dispensaries. This decision was upheld by the Orange County courts. Is this a violation of doctor-patient privileged communication? Read More

October 29, 2009

How Does Your Teen Cope?

I thought I would share with you the parts of my book, Adolescent Assessment, that readers found the most interesting. One of the most popular topics was defense mechanisms. Anna Freud (1958), Sigmund's daughter, believed people defended themselves against anxiety with defense mechanisms. Read More

October 9, 2009

What is a "Normal" Teenager in the Age of High Tech?

In California, you can get a license to operate an automobile (a lethal weapon, as far as I am concerned) at 16, vote and die for your country at 18, but you can’t buy a beer until 21. Daily, teenagers are told, “grow up, stop acting like a baby,” and “no…don’t do that, you aren’t old enough.” When does a teen become an adult? Read More

September 25, 2009

Adolescents-at-Risk for Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD)

A Case Study Approach Read More

September 22, 2009

Adolescents-at-Risk for Alcohol Abuse Dependence (AUD)

Are some adolescents at greater risk for serious alcohol problems? And, if so, how can they be identified and protected? Read More

September 4, 2009

Adolescents and Alcohol

Alcohol, not marijuana, is the drug of choice for most teenagers and college students. Among high school seniors, nearly half report using alcohol in the past year. Among college students, 80 percent drink and half of those binge drink. Heavy episodic, or binge drinking, is defined as 5 or more drinks at a time and can have dangerous consequences. Read More

July 6, 2009

How Much Pot Is Too Much Pot?

Marijuana is generally thought of as a soft drug. It is perceived as less harmful than alcohol. But, like anything from a glass of wine to doughnuts, it is possible to overindulge. So, how much pot is too much pot?

Are you smoking too much when you can't get out of bed to go to class? Are you smoking too much when you light up daily but are still getting straight A"s? Read More

June 26, 2009

Memories of Michael, Music, and MTV

Goodbye, Michael. I didn't know you and yet I did. My earliest memories of you were as the little brother in the Jackson Five. I remember your cherubic smile, the rhythmic beat of Motown, and your sweet high pitched voice singing..."I'll be there." You surpassed your brothers and became a solo phenomenon. Read More

June 22, 2009

Marijuana, Sleep and Dreams

Marijuana affects dreams. Stoners say they don't have dreams but if they stop smoking for a few days, they are flooded with dreams. Is there any psychological reserach supporting this? Read More

Books by Jann Gumbiner, Ph.D.

Adolescent Assessment: Identifying Developmental, Psychological, and Behavioral Issues

Child Development Basics

The speedy physical and psychological changes that children undergo from birth through adolescence often leave parents wondering how best to care for them at each stage. From how to talk so kids will listen to when to back off and allow them to fail, PT's experts weigh in.

Go to the Child Development Basics page for more on Child Development including:

Current Issue

Everyday Creativity

How to start living creatively and reap the benefits.

Subscribe to The Teenage Mind

Books by Jann Gumbiner, Ph.D.

Child Development Basics

Current Issue