Coping with Depression in Young People

Carol Fitzpatrick and John Sharry, both experts in this field, deal with issues most parents find particularly worrying, such as drug and alcohol use, suicide and self-harm, and other mental health problems. Parents reading this book will find guidance on what help and treatments are available for their child, as well as what they can do themselves to help the whole family cope.

"…a guide for parents, a book long overdue and one which will be of enormous help…is especially valuable…" (Familyonwards.com, 19 February 2004) "...concise ...useful to anyone working with children and young people experiencing depression..." (Child Right, May 2004)“The strength of the book lies in it accessible style and numerous practical suggestions.” (Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Vol.10, No.2, May 2005)

• About the authors ixPreface xiAcknowledgements xiii1 What is depression? 1What depression feels like 7How common is depression in young people? 8Causes of depression 10Is depression in young people more common now than in the past? 12What happens to young people with depression? 122 How to recognise depression in young people 15Which young people are most likely to get depressed? 15Changes in mood and behaviour 163 Depression in young people who already have difficulties 23Learning difficulties 24Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 25Conduct problems 30Asperger’s syndrome 31Conclusion 364 Could it be due to something else? 39Is it due to alcohol? 40Could it be due to drugs? 41A serious physical illness 42Sexual abuse 43Schizophrenia 44Eating disorders 46Bipolar affective disorder (manic depressive disorder) 475 Getting help 51Talking to others who know your child 52Help within the family 52Finding out what help is available 53Counselling 54Child and adolescent mental health services 55Communicating with your teenager about the need for further help 56Approaching your depressed child 586 Treatment of depression 63Multiple approaches 64Therapeutic help for the young person 64Parent support 66Family therapy 67Medication 69Hospitalisation 71Day treatment programmes 72How long does it take? 757 What can parents do? 77Supporting your teenager 77Dealing with discipline and conflict 84Keeping yourself going 90Helping your other children to cope 91Tackling family problems 92Conflicting advice from family members/friends 93What parents can’t do 948 Suicide and self-harm 97Some myths about suicide 98Are there warning signs? 98What to do if you suspect your young person is suicidal 99Coping with suicide attempts 100Dealing with discipline after a suicide attempt 101Dealing with self-cutting behaviour 104Suicide and alcohol 1059 Dealing with common problems 107Depression and school 107Depression and exams 108He won’t go for help 110Sleep problems 111Anger and aggression 112Depression and bullying 11310 Learning from young people who have recovered from depression 115The Working Things Out study 116What it felt like when they were depressed 118What they thought had caused them to feel the way they did 121What they thought had helped them to get through their difficult times 123Conclusion 129Interactive CD-ROM 13011 Depression – what does the future hold? 131The statistics 132‘Good effects’ of depression? 133The brain and depression – current research 134The future and your child 135Resources 137Index 143