Depressed Child

Starred review from February 26, 2001
Clinical psychologist Riley (The Defiant Child) tackles a difficult subject with aplomb in this keenly insightful guide for parents. "For children and adolescents, the depressive state makes them feel like astronauts whose tethers have been cut, and they are drifting in space," he writes. He not only explains how to identify the symptoms of depression and the "negative beliefs" "no one will ever like me," "I am made of inferior stuff," "death is an option," and so on that are so often at its core, but also provides tools for what he terms "Planning the Rescue Mission." Ten brief but thorough chapters cover the most common negative beliefs that trigger depression and such companion problems as substance abuse, prematurely intense relationships (what he calls "miniature marriages") that blindside adolescents when they come to an end, and suicide. Riley illustrates each point with case studies that offer readers a chance to learn from his dialogues with his patients. He suggests strategies for everything from closing "the physical distance between you and your child" in order to soothe and encourage them, to some particular lines of questioning for uncovering negative beliefs, to the crucial, often overlooked act of listening ("your ears cannot be fully open until your mouth is fully shut"). He also discusses when to seek professional help and how to step in swiftly and effectively in the case of a suicidal child. Riley's advice is commonsensical and sound, and the concrete tools he offers in this slim, practical volume provide a lifeline to parents of any child struggling with depression.

April 15, 2001
Children and teens are increasingly being diagnosed as depressive--perhaps because modern life is becoming more challenging or possibly because treatments that have proven effective for adults also work well for children. A staff physician with the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, Kaufman presents a good primer on treating teen depression. All of the major topics are covered in clear-cut language: how to find a therapist, possible treatments (including therapy and drug treatments, as well as alternative remedies), suicide prevention, and treatment of related substance abuse and anxiety disorders. Recommended if your library doesn't own Gerald D. Oster and Sarah S. Montgomery's Helping Your Depressed Teenager: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers (Wiley, 1994). The Depressed Child, on the other hand, is not recommended. Riley, a clinical psychologist, offers some interesting suggestions here and there (e.g., the importance of hugging a depressed child), but his idea that a parent should undertake to "rescue" a child who is suicidal or hallucinating is irresponsible. Such kids need professional help. David G. Fassler and Lynne S. Dumas's "Help Me, I'm Sad": Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Depression (Viking, 1997) is a better recent title.

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.