Adolescent Turmoil: Fact or Fiction? *

Summary The concept of adolescent turmoil is considered in the context of findings from a total population epidemiological study of Isle of Wight 14–15‐yr‐olds. It is concluded that parent child alienation is not a common feature unless the adolescents are already showing psychiatric problems. Inner turmoil, however, as represented by feelings of misery and self‐depreciation is quite frequent. Psychiatric, conditions are only slightly commoner during adolescence than in middle childhood but the pattern of disorders changes in terms of an increase in depression and school refusal. Many adolescent psychiatric problems arise in early childhood but conditions arising for the first time during adolescence differ in important respect from those with an earlier onset.