Rescuing Your Teenager from Depression

De: Norman T. Berlinger MD PhD

Narrado por: Derek Dysart

One in eight high school students is depressed. But depression in teenagers can be deceptive, and authorities estimate that a huge number of depressed teens are undiagnosed. Adults may mistake symptoms as "typical" teen angst, anger, or anxiety.

For parents who suspect their teen is depressed, the system often fails the family. Insurance coverage for treatment ends too soon, there's a months-long wait to see an adolescent therapist, or long-term follow-up is insufficient.

Although a medical doctor, Dr. Berlinger initially missed the signs of his own son's depression. Now he shares his Ten Parental Partnering Strategies to help parents rescue their teen from depression-based on his own experiences, nearly 100 interviews with parents of depressed teens, and interviews with mental health professionals.

Parents can use Dr. Berlinger's strategies to help distinguish depression from moodiness; be alert to suicide risk; monitor medication effectiveness; help the teen combat negative thinking; organize activities to offset depression; and spot signs of relapse during tense times in their child's life, including exams, relationship breakups, or starting college or a job.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2005 Norman T. Berlinger, MD, PhD (P)2023 Tantor

Woefully out of date

The author went to medical school in the 60s! and the first half of the book seems to be him coming to terms with the legitimacy of the mental health field. There is no mention of teenage stressors in the past twenty years, no social media, gender identity, body dysmorphia, ADHD, sex, increased academic demands, or even the integration of the internet or cell phones in daily life. He warns of the dangers of goths, pot-heads, and dirt bags. He seems out of touch even with the medical side — not aware of LMHC or prescribing NPs — which is crazy given their prevalence.

The narrator’s voice grated on me. He uses an inflection when imitating women.

This book is better suited for the grandparents of the depressed teen.