Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
iParenting Media Awards 2007
Parents can easily feel overwhelmed when suddenly faced with a moody, defiant, unfocused, unpredictable, angry or overly sensitive teenager. They wonder if these changes are a normal part of adolescence of if their teen is in need of help.
When to Worry helps parents distinguish typical teenage behaviors from those that merit concern. It then walks parents through steps they can take to help troubled teens before it's too late. Parents will learn:
Warning signs of potential problems
Which strategy works best for each issue
How to effectively communicate with teens
How and where to get professional help
The pros and cons of medication for teens
When to Worry provides essential information on problematic teenage issues: mood swings, rebellion and defiance, school difficulties, teen depression, ADHD, alcohol and drug use, self-injury ("cutting"), low self-esteem, delinquency, learning disabilities, out of control teens, worries/fears and stress, eating disorders, aggression, bipolar disorder, aspergers, teen suicide, trauma, and more.
Parents learn how to recognize warning signs of important teen problems and are given specific "dos and don'ts" to decrease their teen's struggles and increase peace in the family home.
Compassionate and reassuring, this practical and user-friendly guide is invaluable to any adult concerned about a teenage child.
About the Author
Lisa Boesky, Ph.D. (San Diego, CA) is a child/adolescent psychologist and one of the country's most respected experts on troubled teens. Known in the field as "Dr. Lisa," she is an active public speaker and trains thousands of parents and professionals each year on how to identify and manage troubled teens.
Table of Contents
vii
T
Introduction ix
SECTION I What’s Normal and What’s Not 1
1 Is My Teen Normal? Teens Displaying Typical Behavior vs.
When to Worry 3
2 Sad, Mad, or Bad: Teens Who Are Too Moody 15
3 Unfocused and on the Run: Teens Who Cannot Pay Attention
or Have Too Much Energy 37
4 Rebels Without a Cause: Teens Who Break Rules or Laws 59
5 Run by Fear: Teens Who Stress, Obsess, or Are on Edge 83
6 Under the Influence: Teens Who Use Alcohol and Other Drugs 113
7 Hungry for Help: Teens Too Concerned About Body Image, Weight
and Food 149
8 Secret Pain: Teens Who Cut or Burn Themselves 177
9 Ending It All: Teens Who Think About Dying 197
C O N T E N T S
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10 Not Making the Connection: Teens Who Have a Hard Time
“Getting It” 223
11 Behaving Bizarrely: Teens Who Lose Touch with Reality 245
SECTION II Getting Help if Necessary 255
12 What’s Going On? Obtaining the Right Evaluation for Your Teen 257
13 Help Is on the Way? Obtaining the Right Treatment for Your Teen 287
SECTION III Family Matters 337
14 You Make a Difference: Positive Parenting for Teens with
Special Needs 339
15 Don’t Forget Your Oxygen Mask: The Importance of Self-Care 359
Appendix A: Resources and Support 367
Appendix B: Psychotropic Medication Chart 371
Acknowledgments 375
Index 377
About the Author 383
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I N T R O D U C T