When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens [Paperback]

Bev Cobain R.N. C. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 20, 2007

On April 8, 1994, Kurt Cobain ended his long struggle with depression and chemical dependency by taking his own life. His suicide profoundly affected millions of fans around the world who identified with the music of Kurt and his band, Nirvana. Bev Cobain is Kurt's cousin, and this powerful book is her way of dealing with his death—and reaching out to teens with a life-saving message: You don't have to be sad, discouraged, or depressed. There is help and hope for you.

Full of solid information and straight talk, When Nothing Matters Anymore defines and explains adolescent depression, reveals how common it is, describes the symptoms, and spreads the good news that depression is treatable. Personal stories, photos, and poetry from teens dealing with depression speak directly to readers' feelings, concerns, and experiences.

Teens learn how to recognize depression in themselves and others, understand its effects, and take care of themselves by relaxing, exercising, eating right, and talking things over with people who care. For some teens, self-help isn't enough, so Bev also tells about treatment options, presents the facts about therapy, explains the differences between various types of helping professionals (psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, physicians, counselors, etc.), discusses medications, and more.

This book isn't just for teens who have been diagnosed with depression. It's for any teen who feels hopeless, helpless, and alone. Clear, encouraging, and matter-of-fact, it's also recommended for parents, teachers, and counselors who want to know more about teen depression.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-Cobain, a psychiatric nurse who works with teens, provides facts, clears away misconceptions, and conveys support and understanding to young adults who are feeling depressed. She discusses warning signs and urges readers to act upon them. The book is arranged in two parts, the first of which gives statistics and covers the causes and types of depression, the dangers of addictions and eating disorders, and the relationship between depression and suicide. There is also information on the effects of depression on the brain. The second section deals with treatment options and offers suggestions for positive mental and physical health. Moving accounts of young people who have considered or attempted suicide lend a note of urgency to the author's message. Cobain's style is passionate, but is at times overwrought. There are many references to her cousin, Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of the group Nirvana, who committed suicide in 1994. The celebrity link should attract attention; however, as the author and her famed cousin didn't know one another, this aspect seems overdone. Thumbnail black-and-white photographs and sketches illustrate the text. Toby Axelrod's Working Together against Teen Suicide (Rosen, 1996) deals with teens helping their troubled peers, and Nikki Goldman's Teen Suicide (Benchmark, 1995) is less personal in tone. Without question, Cobain has compiled a fount of information, and she is articulate. However, while useful for consultation and reports, the book is wordy and repetitious.
Libby K. White, Jewish Vocational Services, Baltimore, MD
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

“If there is a ‘light’ way to broach the subjects of depression and suicide, Cobain seems to have found it. The cousin of legendary rocker Kurt Cobain who suffered from bipolar disorder and killed himself in 1994, the author presents an easily understood and nonjudgmental discussion of what depression means, the types of depression, and how young people can help themselves or talk with others about it. Cobain has provided a nice pass-along for youth workers who might suspect depression in a young person.”
—Youth Today magazine

“The most positive book on depression one could read…should be available to all teens.”—Voice of Youth Advocates

 “Its honest, anecdote-filled treatment of the subject (apart from the book’s telling origins) make it a no-brainer buy.”—Youthworker

Suicide Prevention\Voices of Education (SA\VE) Reading List Selection

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing; Revised & Updated Edition edition (March 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575422352
• ISBN-13: 978-1575422350
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Personal Health > Teen Health > Depression
  • #17 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Personal Health > Teen Health > Mental Health
  • #19 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Death & Grief > Suicide

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A self-help book for depressed teens and adults who care., December 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens (Paperback)

This book extends a compassionate, knowledgeable, hand to teens trying to understand the complex and frustrating dynamics of living with depression. Author Bev Cobain demystifies mental health terminology with staightforward explanations about the various kinds of depression and the difference between "the blues" and more serious kinds of depression that need attention.

This is an interactive book where teens are shown how to take an active role in doing things to help themselves stay healthy. Young readers will find themselves in one or more of the stories told by eleven teens from many walks of life as they describe their struggles with depression. The stories demonstrate that young people can do something about depression and have hope for the future.

Parnts, school counselors, mental health providers, physicians and others who work with depressed teens, will find useful, practical, information in this book. Any depressed teen luckly enough to receive this book from a caring, concerned adult will find comfort. Indeed, it may save a life.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Like Most, August 28, 2003

By 

Amanda (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens (Paperback)

Of all the self-help books I found, this one struck me the most.

Bev Cobain doesn't treat us like we're five years old or treat us like we're idiots for being depressed. She gives us help, and advice in an organized handbook like format. She steps this into two phases - What's Wrong and Getting Help and Staying Well. I also like how she makes it personal - adding things about her cousin Kurt Cobain but also including other depressed teen stories - proving I'm not alone. I'm almost finished with the book and am into getting some help for my depression.

I'd recommend this book to any depressed teen, any school councelor, or any one interested in teen depression and want to be informed on it incase they stumble upon it sometime in their lives. Good Book -.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for depressed teens, February 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens (Paperback)

This book is a great resource for teens who are depressed. It explains all the biochemical stuff very clearly and understandably. It goes through depression symptoms and treatments, but it also offers practical advice on everything from how to start a conversation about your suicidal thoughts to explaining depression to your friends to "will anything good come of this?" There are personal anecdotes from other depressed teens so the reader doesn't feel all alone in her problems. I have found the survival tips to be invaluable in dealing with my depression. I reread part of this book whenever I'm having a bad day. This is a great book for people like me and I wish I could buy copies for all the depressed teens I know.