Introduction and Definitions Adolescence in human beings and other nonhuman primates is a time when widespread transformations occur in physiological, emotional, social and biological systems and behavior. The fundamental machinery of these coordinated transformations of teenage years is of prehistoric origin, and is importantly universal to all mammalian species (Hamburg & Takanishi, 1989, p. 825). Its occurrence and characteristics can be customized, however, by a wide range of factors that includes environmental and social influences. Undeniably, in human species, recent technological advancements have considerably changed the experience and understanding of adolescence, making it more challenging and difficult than ever before. It is the purpose of this paper to critically analyze how psychological disorders affect the physical, cognitive and emotional development of adolescents in contemporary times. According to Wolman (1998), “…adolescence is a period of normal maladjustment” (p. 4). It is a critical phase of development where an individual is neither a child nor an adult. Although this phase of individual development is generally divided into several stages, there exist a general consensus among experts that individuals in this phase experience biological, social, cognitive, psychological and physiological changes that directs them to reappraise their own selves and their associations to their friends, families and communities (Hamburg & Takanishi, 1989, p. 826). In nearly all civilizations, the adolescent years are known to be the years of continued conflicts and intricacies between the social responsibilities of childhood and adulthood. It is during this stage that the young adults adopt self-damaging activities and behavior patterns, inevitably ruining their prospects for the future or destroying their life in totality (Hamburg & Takanishi, 1989, p. 826). Most contemporary adolescents are in essence biologically mature, and are inclined to act as adults. However, their socio-cultural development and orientation does not in any way prepare them for adult life. As such, many adolescents tend to develop psychological disorders immediately after they get initiated into this phase of individual development. Explaining Psychological Disorders A psychological disorder can be defined as a constellation of behavioral or psychological symptoms that create considerable distress or impairment in multiple areas of life for the individual experiencing such symptoms (Wolman, 1998, p. 72). It is imperative to note that psychological disorders are synonymous to mental disorders. Some individuals in the adolescent stage of life exhibit symptoms of psychological imbalances and disorders that undoubtedly affect their physical, cognitive and emotional development. Systematic studies have revealed that females in this developmental phase exhibit higher levels of psychological disorders than males. Available statistics puts prevalence levels for female adolescents at between 7.7% and 32.9%, and that of adolescent males at 5.5% to 21.6% (James, Lawlor & Sofroniou, 2004, p. 11). The issue of psychological disorders is a grave one since most experts are in agreement that psychological problems in adolescence lead to a bigger disposition to psychological problems in adulthood.