Effect of society's reactions.

The effect on the adolescent of the reactions of those around him often tends to perpetuate or worsen his difficulties. All people are affected by the reactions of society at large to their own behaviour. Normally, the many different reactions tend to counteract and mitigate one another; and everyone concerned tends to adjust and adapt in such a way as to achieve mutual comfort and benefit, leaving the individual relatively undisturbed and able to cope. With the disturbed adolescent this balance often fails because his deeper feelings are so intense, confused, and easily exposed, and because the deep feelings of those around him are touched.