The Everything Parent's Guide to Children With Depression

by Rutledge, Rebecca,

• ISBN13: 9781598692648
• ISBN10: 159869264X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-06-01
• Publisher: Everything

Summary

Does your child seem sad, withdrawn, or lethargic? You know something's wrong, but you're not sure what to do about it. You're not alone-some six million children suffer from depression. Your child needs help-your help. With The Everything[Registered] Parent's Guide to Children with Depression, you can ensure that your child receives the right support and treatment. In this reassuring, practical handbook, Drs. Rebecca Rutledge and Thomas Bannister offer the professional advice you need to determine: If your child is at risk, How and when to get professional help, The best treatment options, Benefits and side effects of medication, What you and your family can do to help. Rutledge, an expert psychologist, and Bannister, a clinical psychiatrist, are both known for their work with depressed children and adolescents. With their help, you'll understand why your child is unhappy-and what you can do about it. Book jacket.

Author Biography

An Adams Media author.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. xiii
Getting a Handle on Childhood Depression	p. 1
Do Kids Really Get Depressed?	p. 1
Prevalence in Children and Teens	p. 3
Theories of Depression	p. 5
What Is Depression Exactly?	p. 11
Childhood Versus Teenage Depression	p. 13
Behavioral Symptoms	p. 14
Emotional Symptoms	p. 16
Causes of Depression	p. 19
Genetics	p. 19
Brain Chemistry	p. 20
Physical Illness	p. 21
The Family Environment	p. 23
Loss	p. 24
Television and Other Influences	p. 27
Stressful Life Events	p. 28
Predictors of Depression	p. 33
Family History	p. 33
Loss	p. 37
Sleep and Appetite	p. 38
Behavior	p. 41
Comments	p. 43
Helplessness	p. 44
Self-esteem	p. 45
Is My Child Depressed?	p. 49
A Look at the Depressed Child	p. 49
Keep a Calendar	p. 53
Glean Information from School, Family, and Friends	p. 55
Get the Diagnosis Right	p. 57
Using Depression Questionnaires	p. 59
Psychotic Depression	p. 61
Get a Physical Exam	p. 63
Risk Factors	p. 65
Problems with Social Skills	p. 65
School Problems	p. 68
Learning Disabilities	p. 70
Chronic Illness	p. 71
Family Environment	p. 73
Sibling Troubles	p. 77
Preexisting Psychiatric Illness	p. 79
Depression as a Part of Other Psychological Problems	p. 81
Anxiety Disorders	p. 81
Eating Disorders	p. 88
Sexuality	p. 89
Self-injury	p. 89
Learning Disorders	p. 90
Behavioral Problems	p. 91
Low Self-esteem	p. 92
Dysthymia and Bipolar Disorder	p. 93
Defining and Diagnosing Dysthymia	p. 93
What Does a Dysthymic Child Look Like?	p. 95
Where Dysthymia Ends and Depression Begins	p. 96
Defining and Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder	p. 97
What Does a Bipolar Child Look Like?	p. 100
Track the Symptoms	p. 102
Treatment Options	p. 102
Depression-related Issues	p. 107
Depression's Link to Other Mental Illnesses	p. 107
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder	p. 108
Oppositional Defiant Disorder	p. 110
Conduct Disorder	p. 111
Physical and Sexual Abuse	p. 113
Seasonal Affective Disorder	p. 113
Alcohol and Drug Abuse	p. 114
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder	p. 117
Medical Illness	p. 120
Seeking Professional Help	p. 121
When to Intervene	p. 121
Parental Reservations about Getting Help	p. 122
Educating Yourself	p. 123
Finding a Diagnostician	p. 129
Preparing for the First Appointment	p. 130
How to Pick the Right Therapist	p. 131
The Importance of Honesty and Full Disclosure	p. 134
The Decision to Undergo Treatment	p. 135
Do Your Homework	p. 135
Discussing Treatment with Your Child	p. 137
Who Else Needs to Know?	p. 139
Exploring Parental Feelings and Fears	p. 140
Trust Your Gut	p. 144
Getting a Second Opinion	p. 144
Treatment for the Mind, Body, and Soul	p. 147
Psychotherapy	p. 147
Medication	p. 152
Medication Side Effects	p. 155
Alternative Remedies	p. 157
Diet, Exercise, and Spirituality	p. 158
The Role of Advocate for Your Child	p. 159
Strategies for Children	p. 161
Education	p. 161
Cognitive Restructuring	p. 163
Problem-Solving Skills	p. 168
Communication Skills	p. 170
Labeling Emotions	p. 171
Seeking Outlets for Emotional Expression	p. 172
Demystifying the Stigma of Mental Illness	p. 174
Suicide: Is Your Child at Risk?	p. 175
Prevalence among Children and Teens	p. 175
Risk Factors	p. 176
Warning Signs	p. 181
Suicidal Ideation	p. 185
Suicide-proofing the Home	p. 186
Help Manage Suicidal Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors	p. 188
Inpatient Treatment	p. 191
Is It Time for Inpatient Treatment?	p. 191
Treatment Settings	p. 194
Picking a Facility	p. 197
What to Expect from Inpatient Treatment	p. 200
The Parental Role in Treatment	p. 203
Inpatient Treatment Is Over-Now What?	p. 204
Prevention	p. 207
Open Communication	p. 207
Teaching Communication Skills	p. 209
Physical Activity	p. 211
Creative Outlets	p. 212
Education	p. 213
Fostering Self-esteem	p. 215
All in the Family	p. 219
Depression's Effect on the Family	p. 219
Caring for the Caregiver	p. 222
Nurture the Adult Relationship	p. 225
Siblings	p. 228
Extended Family	p. 230
Family Therapy	p. 232
Parenting the Depressed Child	p. 235
Avoiding the "Poor, Pitiful Me" Syndrome	p. 235
Developing Trust	p. 238
Effective Discipline	p. 240
Knowing When to Back Off	p. 244
Keep Perspective in the Midst of Chaos	p. 245
Encourage Self-reliance	p. 247
At-risk Parents and Depression	p. 249
Depression	p. 249
Drug and Alcohol Abuse	p. 252
Divorce	p. 254
Marital Discord	p. 256
Parental History of Abuse	p. 257
Toxic Parenting	p. 258
School	p. 265
Should the School Know?	p. 265
Reasonable Accommodations	p. 268
Putting School Resources to Good Use	p. 270
The Parent's Role at School	p. 272
Manage Depression's Effect on School Performance	p. 274
When the School Isn't on Board	p. 278
What Does the Future Hold?	p. 281
Is the Depression Gone?	p. 281
Overparenting	p. 283
Maintain a Close Relationship	p. 285
Prepare for Developmental Changes	p. 287
Your Child's Identity after Depression	p. 292
Major Life Events and Stressors	p. 293
Conclusion	p. 294
Resources on Childhood and Adolescent Depression	p. 295
Depression Questionnaires	p. 297
Index	p. 299
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