[Communication in adolescence: how to transmit prevention]

We propose some considerations about adolescence, a topic that starts from the know-how of paediatricians and then includes other meanings. One of the most boisterous periods of our life and at the same time one of the most fascinating ones is adolescence. Complex changes characterize this age and these can lead to suffering and confusion even in normal conditions. The age of adolescence is at risk mostly for drug addiction, boredom, uneasiness. A safe basis and a good environment are the necessary conditions enabling adolescents to overcome this critical period for their mental space and to integrate into the adult world so as to reach a new stability. Nevertheless, young people have to confront quick changes, multiple subcultures, the transiency of the intergenerationsl conflict scheme. The dynamics of adolescents reflect some aspects of a society, in which the crisis of the limits and the extreme plurality are the factors that make the elaboration of coherent sense problematic. Today the young encounter many difficulties in relating to their parents due to the complexity of the familiar dynamics. During the long and tiring way to adulthood young people show a huge need of information and attention from the adults. Our duty as paediatricians is to detect, understand and pay attention to these messages. The method is to provide effective information to adolescents. In order to acquire this ability, we think that some conditions are fundamental: professional support and training, listening, networked services. In conclusion, adolescence needs a multiprofessional approach.