Help Me, I'm Sad: Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Depression [Hardcover]

David G. Fassler (Author), Lynne Dumas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0670865478 | ISBN-13: 978-0670865475 | Edition: 1

This expert, reassuring guide for parents of the the one-and-a-half million children and adolescents whose lives are darkened by depression--and the millions more who are at risk--explains with wisdom and empathy how parents can play a vital role in helping a child overcome, and often prevent, depression.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David G. Fassler, M.D. practices psychiatry in Burlington, Vermont, where he is clinical director of Otter Creek Associates. He is also the chief of child and adolescent psychiatry for the Choate Health Systems in Massachusetts. He is a frequent guest on Good Morning, America and is regularly cited in such major magazines as Family Circle, Woman?s Day, and Health.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; 1 edition (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670865478
• ISBN-13: 978-0670865475
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,592,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A reassuring and thorough guide for parents and pros., October 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Help Me, I'm Sad: Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Depression (Hardcover)

If you're the parent of a depressed child -- or think you might be -- this is a must-read. It's a reassuring, gentle but completely informative guide to all aspects of childhood depression. The part I liked best? How to get help for your child. It includes the best discussion of medications and other treatments I've ever read. This book makes an extremely sensitive, scary and complex subject easy to understand.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Comprehensive Book for Parents with Depressed Teens, July 10, 2000

By 

Sho J. Morimoto "aresdracon" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Help Me, I'm Sad: Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Depression (Paperback)

Dr. Fassler and Miss Dumas do an amazing job at organizing this book in the most efficient manner. The doctor with utmost clarity lists the symptoms of depression for each age group up to and including young adulthood. He does justice to new research revealing that symptoms may be dependant upon the patient's age. Moreover, he highlights the long-avoided fact that even toddlers can suffer from clinical depression. He also briefly examines the various related affective disorders common among young people and how they can be detected also. The chapter on suicide and suicide recognition and prevention is well-written in that it provides all the vital information without going into graphic details. In addition to discussing all forms of treatment types, schools of thought, and classes of mental healthcare professionals in an easily understandable manner, the doctor offers pragmatic advice on seeking help for the child and the child's family. All too often the devastating effects of depression on other family members are ignored with tragic consequences. Dr. Fassler makes sure that this point is stressed. He also helps the reader choose a good therapist and treatment plan for his/her child. Finally, he discusses ways in which depression can be prevented, and how good parenting can affect the child's chance of growing up to become a healthy adult. The only thing I found disappointing was Dr. Fassler's bias towards the physiological nature of affective disorders. Understanding the biochemical aspects of depression is crucial in effectively treating the illness for much of the symptoms are linked to somatic disorders in the brain.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable resource for families of depressed children, September 21, 2001

By 

Deborah Gray (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Help Me, I'm Sad: Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Depression (Paperback)

This is a very valuable book for families of depressed children, and I highly recommend it. It contains essential information, thoroughly and clearly covered. One section I particularly liked discussed the effect a depressed child has on family members and family dynamics.

"Help Me, I'm Sad" first addresses diagnosing depression in a child, including what I had never seen before: symptom lists specific to children at different stages of childhood, infants to teenagers. Companion illnesses that might indicate depression are also discussed as part of the diagnosis section.

The treatment section covers how to find effective treatment, whether therapy, medication or both, including questions to ask a potential therapist. The last section, on preventing depression, contains suggestions on how to raise an emotionally resilient child. All in all, a complete, compassionate resource for parents and others who have a depressed child in their lives.