By describing the developmental milestones of adolescence, discussing specific questions and concerns, and examining troublesome problems, this invaluable resource will help parents understand and respond to the day-to-day challenges of the teen years. It covers a range of practical issues, from guiding your teen through the physical changes of puberty to negotiating school-related issues like popularity, peer pressure, and self-esteem, from handling your teen's experimentation with sex, alcohol, and drugs to helping them cope with the emotional turmoil that follows a divorce or the death of a loved one.
" Your Adolescent" also moves beyond the everyday concerns to those that represent more serious obstacles to a teen's development. The latter sections of the book provide extensive discussion of the developmental problems that usually require professional intervention, including serious emotional disorders such as depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and disruptive behavior disorders. These sections will help you determine whether your teen could benefit from professional treatment and will guide you through the steps involved in seeking help.
