Depression and Your Child: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

by Deborah Serani

Overview

Seeing your child suffer in any way is a harrowing experience for any parent. Mental illness in children can be particularly draining due to the mystery surrounding it, and the issue of diagnosis at such a tender age. Depression and Your Child gives parents and caregivers a uniquely textured understanding of pediatric depression, its causes, its symptoms, and its treatments. Serani weaves her own personal experiences of being a depressed child along with her clinical experiences as a psychologist treating depressed children.

Current research, treatments and trends are presented in easy to understand language and tough subjects like self-harm, suicide and recovery plans are addressed with supportive direction. Parents will learn tips on how to discipline a depressed child, what to expect from traditional treatments like psychotherapy and medication, how to use holistic methods to address depression, how to avoid caregiver burnout, and how to move through the trauma of diagnosis and plan for the future. Real life cases highlight the issues addressed in each chapter and resources and a glossary help to further understanding for those seeking additional information. Parents and caregivers are sure to find here a reassuring approach to childhood depression that highlights the needs of the child even while it emphasizes the need for caregivers to care for themselves and other family members as well.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442221451
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	09/05/2013
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Deborah Serani, PsyD, is a go-to media expert on a variety of psychological issues. Her interviews can be found in ABC News, Newsday, Women’s Health & Fitness, The Chicago Tribune, The Associated Press, and affiliate radio station programs at CBS and NPR, just to name a few. She
is a ShareCare Expert for Dr. Oz, writes for Psychology Today, helms the Ask the Therapist column for Esperanza Magazine and has worked as a technical advisor for the NBC television show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. A licensed psychologist in practice over twenty years, Serani is also an adjunct professor at Adelphi University and author of the award-winning book Living with Depression (Rowman & Littlefield).

Table of Contents

Introduction
1: Understanding Child Development
2: Defining Depression in Childhood
3: Diagnosing Pediatric Depression
4: Treatments for Pediatric Depression
5: Holistic Approaches to Depression
6: Self-Harm and Suicide
7: My Child is Diagnosed, Now What?
8: Tips for Parenting Your Depressed Child
9: 20 Depression Myths Every Parent Should Know
10: Planning for the Future
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Glossary
Footnotes
Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

The ultimate go-to guide for parents. Deborah Serani's work is infused with hope and judgment free. Informative case histories, up to the minute research findings and top notch resources help parents make the choices best suited to their child's unique needs. Alternative treatments and simple at-home changes are helpful additions to this comprehensive and compassionate book.

Leah Klungness

Written in Dr. Serani's straight-forward style, this book is a valuable contribution to helping parents better understand their child's or teenager's depression. Dr. Serani meticulously goes through everything a parent needs to know about their child's depression, starting with the most important aspect – depression is an illness and isn't caused by bad parenting. The case studies bring home the message at the end of each chapter, putting everything into helpful context with real examples parents can relate to. This book is a must-have for parent who has a son or daughter that suffers from depression.

John M. Grohol

Depression and Your Child will prepare parents with the in-depth understanding needed to navigate the potentially turbulent waters ahead.. .. Thoroughly researched and accompanied by a lengthy bibliography, the book delivers on its promise to explore normal stages of child development, as well as the warning signs of depression and what they look like in different age brackets.. .. Serani’s writing is lyrical at times, making for a pleasant and personable read, a boon to parents looking for advice from health care professionals who are strong in empathy and compassion.. .. Depression and Your Child may be a bookshelf must for any proactive parent who wants to learn how to identify when professional intervention is needed or seeks resources for their struggling families.

Foreword Reviews

In her book entitled Depression and Your Child: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers, Dr. Serani offers a comprehensive and engaging overview of child depression… how to recognize depression in children and adolescents, what the current treatment approaches are, and how to work collaboratively with professionals in managing the challenges presented when caring for a depressed child. The unique value of this work is that it is comprehensive and scientifically based, yet very accessible and practical for the lay public. I would highly recommend this book as well to mental health professionals of all disciplines because it addresses the sensitivities and emotional challenges of children and their families in coping with child depression.

Bruce D. Miller

Depression and Your Child: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers delivers just what it promises – a comprehensive and thoughtful guide to the diagnosis and treatment of depression in children and adolescents. Dr. Serani has effectively synthesized years of research into a highly readable and practical volume that will be helpful to parents, teachers, and anyone who loves or works with children. The use of cases to illustrate major themes will aid those who struggle to understand the nature and scope of mood disorders. The mental health needs of children and adolescents are far too often overlooked and underestimated. This book will undoubtedly go a long way towards remedying this problem and getting kids and their families the help they so desperately need.

Jess P. Shatkin

Depression and Your Child: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers is an easy-to-read, comprehensive, and holistic resource for any parent or caregiver concerned for a child suffering from depression. Dr. Serani provides compassion and support as she guides you through extensive, thoughtful, and sound clarification on everything you need to know. Not only does she help navigate you and your child's path towards recovery, Dr. Serani offers hope and inspiration. Any parent or caregiver will benefit from this information-packed book.

Julieanna Hever

Deborah Serani has combined smarts and soul in her book. She uses years of experience and the research literature to smartly guide parents through the experience of their child’s depression. She does this with soul: with the lived experience of a person who has stood in the shoes of children with these daunting challenges, a courageous admission to be sure. The result will become an important tool in helping families overcome depression and the stigma it may engender.

Patrick Corrigan

Families overwhelmed by seeing their young family member living with depression will find Deborah Serani's voice in Depression and Your Child: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers reassuring and informative, as it's both personal and clinical. Through the author's real life case studies, which highlight the issues addressed in each chapter, families will learn how to adapt more readily, cope more effectively, and move forward with hope as they find their caretaking experience more manageable.

Deborah Mayo

Depression and Your Child by Deborah Serani is by far, the best and most comprehensive resource out there about depression and children.This easy to read guide leaves no stone unturned on the subject of treating depression. Every person suffering with this stifling illness, and their family and friends, should read this book as soon as possible. This book will save lives.

Andy Behrman

Depression and Your Child will prepare parents with the in-depth understanding needed to navigate the potentially turbulent waters ahead. . . Thoroughly researched and accompanied by a lengthy bibliography, the book delivers on its promise to explore normal stages of child development, as well as the warning signs of depression and what they look like in different age brackets. . . Serani’s writing is lyrical at times, making for a pleasant and personable read, a boon to parents looking for advice from health care professionals who are strong in empathy and compassion. . . . Depression and Your Child may be a bookshelf must for any proactive parent who wants to learn how to identify when professional intervention is needed or seeks resources for their struggling families.

ForeWord Reviews