How to Find Mental Health Care for Your Child

by Ellen B. Braaten Narrated by Nicol Zanzarella

Overview

It is estimated that up to a quarter of American children will experience a psychiatric disorder at some point in their development. Concerned parents whose children struggle with issues such as depression, anxiety, learning disorders, and attention problems face tough questions including: Does my child need medication? How do I get an appropriate diagnosis? What do I need to know to find the most competent professional and how can I ensure that my child gets the best possible treatment?



Learning the difference between a psychologist, psychiatrist, and social worker or understanding clinical terms such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mood dysregulation can be overwhelming. Therefore, finding the right resources is critical to addressing a child's mental health needs and moving forward toward effective care.



Divided into three thorough and well-organized parts, the book first provides an overview of the issues involved in diagnosing and treating children. It then gives detailed information on the most common childhood disorders and addresses key symptoms, possible causes, and treatment options. In the final chapters, Dr. Braaten discusses the primary treatment approaches in more depth, such as their typical course, what disorders they are used to treat, and how to determine their effectiveness.

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal

This book, written by a Harvard Medical School professor and published by the leading professional association, is backed by authority. Licensed child psychologist Braaten covers the symptoms of the most common childhood disorders (hyperactivity, autism, depression, anxiety, learning disabilities, eating disorders), the process of diagnosis, and the various treatment options. Most parents will want more detailed information about their child's particular condition, and Braaten includes a good list of references to assist them. Overall, this is a more than adequate update to Stephen V. Faraone's similar Straight Talk About Your Child's Mental Health. There is, however, a major shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychologists, and they are expensive. Getting care for a child involves navigating a maze of health insurance or government requirements. The book's title promises help with this, but doesn't follow through. VERDICT A good starting point for worried parents, but they won't find help here in locating and paying for a satisfactory therapist.—Will Jarvis & Mary Ann Hughes, Shelton, WA

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159854568
Publisher:	HighBridge Company
Publication date:	11/14/2023
Series:	APA Life Tools
Edition description:	Unabridged

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