[Psychiatric illnesses in adolescents of alcoholic parents]

Two hundred fifty four adolescents with psychiatric illnesses were evaluated in relation to alcoholism in their parents. All cases concerned underwent evaluation in Kurihama National Hospital by a psychiatrist. Those evaluated ranged from 11 to 25 years of age. The characteristic symptoms were as follows. 1. Thirty one had alcoholic parents, 48% of them came from broken families before reaching the age of 15, and 19% had mothers suffering from psychiatric illness. Many had serious family problems besides their father's alcoholism. In many cases, the psychotic symptoms started in early adolescence. 2. In an examination of psychiatric illnesses in adolescents with alcoholic parents, 36% were found to have borderline personality disorders, and 19% violence in the family. 3. Significant symptoms of psychiatric illness in adolescents with alcoholic parents were signs of aggression, violence, troubles in school, regression and convulsions. The average number of symptoms per patient was higher than in cases with non-alcoholic families. Other symptoms prevalent in adolescents with alcoholic parents were depression, anxiety, fear, delinquency and self-destructive behavior. It was apparent that severe symptoms were diverse in such adolescents. 4. Based on the above results, alcoholism in the family and borderline personality disorders in adolescents were discussed.