Understanding Teenage Depression: A Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management [Paperback]

Dr. Maureen Empfield (Author), Nicholas Bakalar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 14, 2001

Based on the latest scientific findings, a comprehensive guide to the diagnosis and treatment of teenage depression.

Each year thousands of American teenagers are diagnosed with clinical depression. If ignored, poorly treated, or left untreated, it can be a devastating illness for adolescents and their families. Drawing on her many years of experience as a pychiatrist working with teenagers, Dr. Maureen Empfield answers the questions parents and teens have about depression, providing detailed information on:
*Identifying the different types of depression
*How depression is diagnosed
*Which teenagers are most at risk
*Suicide
*The effect of depression on other teenage problems
*How depression is treated and by whom
*The drugs used to treat teenage depression - what they are and how they work
*When a teenager needs to be hospitalized for depression
*and more

Understanding Teenage Depression provides the latest scientific findings on this serious condition, and the most up to date information on its treatment. The book includes numerous vignettes drawn from Dr. Empfield's clinical practice as well as first person accounts from teenagers who have themselves suffered from depression. Understanding Teenage Depression is a book that anyone who's been touched by this disease - whether parents, teachers, family members or teens themselves - will find invaluable.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

sychiatrist Empfield and coauthor Bakalar present an informative summary of the causes and treatments of adolescent depression, a problem that is on the rise. Since the 1950s, the suicide rate among all teenagers has increased by almost 25% (even higher for black male adolescents); it is the third leading cause of adolescent deaths, just behind car accidents and homicides. They discuss the importance of understanding and addressing depression, a potentially devastating illness that can damage teens' developmental progress and affect their ability to attend school, maintain friendships or pursue everyday tasks. Noting that many medical disorders can cause symptoms similar to those of depression and that some depression indicators sleeping a lot, moodiness or changes in weight are common in normal teenagers, they outline the ways in which clinical depression is diagnosed. Empfield and Bakalar discuss risk factors, such as a depressed parent, as well as the issue of suicide (including a list of warning signs). The authors emphasize that depression is a treatable illness. Finding the right therapist and prescribing effective medication is crucial, since untreated depression can leave lasting emotional scars and may lead to more frequent and more severe episodes of depression in adulthood. This is a comprehensive and informative book on an urgent public health matter.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Empfield draws on her experience as director of psychiatry at a Mount Kisco, New York, hospital in this comprehensive yet succinct resource for both adults and teens. In a voice that's both compassionate and authoritative, Empfield, aided by writer Bakalar, offers current information on diagnosis and treatment of the disease, including advice on how to differentiate between depression and less severe adolescent ups and downs. Case studies, some written in teens' voices, and Empfield's own clear, persuasive arguments show how teenage depression can have a lifelong impact on an individual's growth and why active and early treatment is so crucial. Empfield greatly favors drug treatment, and she gives detailed descriptions of the newer drugs, cautioning that they work best in conjunction with "talk therapies," but warning against therapists who don't consider drug treatments at all. Specific chapters on suicide and hospitalization provide detailed, unflinching descriptions. An invaluable resource for teens, parents, teachers, and others affected by a growing epidemic. Extensive resources appended. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; Edition Unstated edition (September 14, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805067612
• ISBN-13: 978-0805067613
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Teenager with Depression, October 18, 2003

By 

April (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding Teenage Depression: A Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management (Paperback)

As a teen with depression I read a lot of book on the topic. THIS IS THE BEST ONE! I was diagnosed with a certin depression, that is hard to find information on -double depression. This book explains all about the differnt kinds of depression, also differtent methods to help feel better. I liked and related so much I would leave the book out with a note teeling my parents or friends to read parts. This book explains all parts if depression, and makes it a good read for a teenager that is depressed, or for some one that knows a teen.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-organized, eye-opening, and informative!, November 29, 2001

By 

MyParenTime.com "myparentimesfamily" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Understanding Teenage Depression: A Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management (Paperback)

When you think about someone being diagnosed with depression, teenagers might not come first to mind. But teenagers are not exempt from things that can make adults experience an extreme feeling of being overwhelmed and saddened. They are just as vulnerable as adults when it comes to having fights and disagreements with friends or family, and problems at school could intensify their negative emotions. With all the problems teenagers encounter these days, how can you determine whether a teenager's depression is serious enough to warrant treatment?

The book "Understanding Teenage Depression: A Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management," addresses this information. Readers will become more familiar with depression -- how common it actually is; who is likely to be at risk; how to determine if a teenager is depressed; and what treatments are available. Other important information in the book discusses life events that could lead to teenage depression; various therapies; and other disorders that may afflict teenagers.

My ParenTime recommends the book, "Understanding Teenage Depression" by Maureen Empfield, M.D., and Nicholas Bakalar -- it is well-organized, eye-opening, and informs readers about a problem that is much more common today than parents realize.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As a Teenager with Depression, October 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Understanding Teenage Depression: A Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management (Paperback)

I dignosed with Depression in my teens and I have read many book out there over the years. THIS IS THE BEST ONE! I realted to it so much and I was able to show other people pages and sections that I tought would help them, help me. This book explains about differnt kinds of depression, and one of them is what I was diagnosed with. This is the only book that I have found that has a whole section of it. I love this book and if you are a teenager, or know a teenager with depression I would recomend this book.