Psychological Self-Help, Family - Assorted Topics, Health, Children with Special Needs, Teenagers, Health - Diseases & Disorders
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Overview
The statistics are sobering. The first and only Surgeon General's report on mental health found that 3.5 million children and teenagers suffer from depression in the most recent survey on youth risk behavior from the Centers for Disease Control; in a given year, 3 million teenagers reported suicidal thoughts; over 2 million had made plans to carry them out; and sadly, approximately 400,000 made actual suicide attempts. These statistics notwithstanding, there is hope for the thousands of teenagers in turmoil.For over twenty years, one of America's most distinguished child and adolescent psychiatrists, Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D., has been working to advance the understanding of mental health for children and their families. In this ground-breaking book, he uses his experience as a clinician and researcher to help parents distinguish between normal teenage angst and depression, a serious psychiatric illness with significant long-term consequences.
As any parent can attest, moodiness is almost a trademark of adolescence. Teenagers can be sensitive and irritable. After all, what teenager doesn't drive a parent crazy? For many years, it was widely believed that young people did not have the brain development to cause a chemical imbalance that is at the root of clinical depression. Sadly, with advancement of medical science we now know this is not the case. Adolescent depression is an under-recognized and under-treated problem that if left unchecked can have serious long-term consequences that last well into adulthood.
More Than Moody will help with the challenge of diagnosing depression versus recognizing when a young person is struggling to cope with the ups and downs of being a modern teenager. Dr. Koplewicz's combination of prescriptive advice and compelling stories shows parents the warning signs, risk factors, and key behaviors to look for in their teenage sons and daughters. Furthermore, he illustrates for parents, health-care professionals, and young adults the broad range of treatment options, including the use of SSRI anti-depressants in treating young people, as well as non-pharmaceutical approaches such as cognitive behavior therapy. More Than Moody is a comprehensive and valuable resource for parents and teens struggling with adolescent depression and bipolar disorder.
Author Biography: Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D., is the founder and director of the New York University Child Study Center. An award-winning child psychiatrist, he was named one of "America's Best Mental Health Experts" by Good Housekeeping magazine and repeatedly one of "America's Top Doctors" by Castle Connolly. Widely known as an advocate for children with psychiatric illness and as a respected academician, he is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. He has appeared frequently on radio and television, on such programs as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today, Good Morning America, CNN, and Dateline.
Editorials
Washington Post
More Than Moody is nicely written, weaving in anecdotes from Koplewicz's practice...to elaborate on key points.Marilyn Benoit
He has put together a very readable collection.... I recommend this book as required reading for the entire lay public!Danielle Steel
Harold Koplewicz is not just a doctor or a psychiatrist. I truly believe he is a genius in his field.Tipper Gore
This is an extraordinarily helpful book for parents and kids dealing with depression. I hope every family with teenagers reads it.Richard K. Harding
Dr. Koplewicz is a leader in his field.Mike Wallace
More than Moody is a heartening,knowledgeable and useful guide. And it's fascinating reading,too.Edward Hallowell
More Than Moody is the best book yet written for the general public about mood problems in children and young adults.Stanley Turecki
More Than Moody is highly readable and offers a wealth of information and much practical advice.Judith Rapoport
I recommend More Than Moody to anyone who has ever wondered how seriously to take their child's moods.Donna E. Shalala
Young people have no better friend than Dr. Koplewicz. This is a superb guide to adolescent depression.Andrew Solomon
Anxious parents and lost adolescents alike have much to learn from this crucial book...Erica Jong
Dr. Koplewicz's book brings sanity and sunlight to our understanding of our children at the most vulnerable time of their lives.Ruth Westheimer
More Than Moody is a fantastic book that every parent and grandparent must read.Timothy E. Wilens
Dr. Koplewicz provides an excellent and very readable primer on depression for parents.Donald F. Klein
The best investment any concerned parent can make.Paul H. Wender
A valuable book. Highly recommended.James T. McCracken
Must reading for any parent or teacher helping teens navigate their adolescence!Rick Birkel
More Than Moody is a terrific book. This book will be greatly appreciated by parents,consumers and clinicians alike.Publishers Weekly
Koplewicz, a prominent child psychiatrist and founder-director of the NYU Child Study Center, begins his careful analysis of teen depression with a number of alarming statistics. One in five teenagers reports a major depressive episode for which he or she did not receive treatment, and 20-40% of teens with major depressive disorder (MDD) develop bipolar disorder within five years. Depression, says Koplewicz (It's Nobody's Fault), often starts "silently and slowly," and it can be difficult for parents to determine what's a psychiatric disorder and what's typical adolescent moodiness. With case studies drawn from his experience as a clinician and a solemn, meticulous exploration of the "arc of depression"; life events that can trigger it; the relationship between mood disorders and gender and sexuality; as well as treatments that provide relief and other pertinent topics, Koplewicz's important volume offers parents both a better understanding of adolescent psychological struggles and a practical guide to finding appropriate healing measures. (Oct.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.Book Details
Published
September 30, 2002
Publisher
Penguin Group (USA)
Pages
304
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780399149184