Coping with Depression in Young People
a guide for parents
Carol Fitzpatrick & John Sharry
The word ‘depression’ is
seldom coupled with either ‘child’ or ‘adolescent’. Perhaps because so
many adults will not accept that a child can be overwhelmed by a
depressive illness. Yet children can, and do, become depressed.
Coping with Depression in
Young People is a guide for parents, a book
long-overdue and one which will be of enormous help to anyone concerned
about their child in this way and who suspects that a number of symptoms
may point to depression. One of the difficulties, as the authors point
out, is that children may not use the words which we commonly associate
with depression, to describe how they are feeling. Instead they may
complain of boredom, and be thought of as simply moody, difficult or
troubled (or troublesome). Parents may have heard stories about
‘difficult’ adolescents, and put the behaviour down to their age. How is a
parent to gauge if the irritable teenager, perhaps with frightening mood
swings, is suffering from depression?
Although there have been great
strides made in understanding more about depression, the one thing we can
be sure of is that there is no single cause for this condition.
This very informative book
leads the reader through ways to recognise depression in young people, and
especially how to identify those who are at risk. Parents may be concerned
about whether their child is abusing drugs or alcohol, or whether a
serious physical or mental illness is at the root of this out-of-character
behaviour. A very helpful chapter is about how you, and the family, can
help your child, and there is detailed information about finding out what
help is available. Many parents worry about suicide, especially as the
media is quick to inform us that suicide rates have increased, so the
chapter on suicide and self-harm, which is down to earth and full of
information and suggestions about how to cope with this concern, is
especially valuable.
Carol Fitzpatrick is Professor
of Child Psychiatry and John Sharry is a Principal Social Worker and
together they have written a book which will be of great help to many
parents and their children.
Remember, when we talk of
‘depression’ we do not mean simply feeling a bit down, or out of sorts. A
depressive illness is a serious thing, and needs to be treated. But keep
in mind that your support and understanding are of paramount importance.
And be cheered by the fact that most young people with depressive
disorders get better.
published byJohn Wiley & Sons
 £9.99
 $14.95 ISBN: 0470857552
available
from
See also
Review published 9 February 2004 © Jill
Curtis 2004
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