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Helping Your Teenager Beat Depression: A Problem-Solving Approach for Families (Special Needs Collection) (Special Needs Collection)
Helping Your Teenager Beat Depression A ProblemSolving Approach for Families - Special Needs Collection Author:Katharina Manassis, Anne Marie Levac The adolescent years can sometimes be trying, but are especially difficult for parents of a teenager with depression. Depression is a real and serious condition that can derail lives and put a child at risk. HELPING YOUR TEENAGER BEAT DEPRESSION offers parents a strategy that enables them to become active partners in the treatment of their chi... more »ld?s depression. Chapters begin with an overview of teenage mood problems followed by an explanation of the authors? unique treatment approach, known by the acronym, LEEAPP (LEAP for short). Based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?a recognized and successful problem-solving strategy for changing distorted behaviors and thoughts?LEAP offers parents a plan to change a troublesome situation or negative pattern of interaction with their teen. Parents first identify what behavior (e.g. refusing to get out of bed) or attitude (e.g. unprovoked anger) they want to change, then create a LEAP plan to: LABEL their own thoughts and emotions related to their teen?s behavior EMPATHIZE with their teen?s perspective EXPLORE ways to respond to this perspective APPLY an alternative way to respond PICK a follow-up time to evaluate the result PLAN ahead for the next step The LEAP approach can be used by parents to address minor mood problems and reduce the risk of relapse, and in conjunction with professional therapy for more serious depressive disorders. The commitment is minimal-?perhaps 10-20 minutes per week-?and the benefits can be substantial. Most families begin to see improvement in their child?s mood and interactions after employing the LEAP approach for 6 weeks. Case studies throughout the book present a variety of situations and illustrate how to use this method to tackle mood problems. Exercises and checklists help parents monitor progress and be effective in improving their teen?s outlook.« less