|
|
MENTAL
HEALTH RESOURCES
A GUIDE
FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES
Healthnet:
Connecticut Consumer Health Information Network
University of Connecticut
Health Center
Farmington, Connecticut
|
 |
This
Resource Guide has been created to assist consumers in gathering specific
information on mental health diagnoses as well as general information on maintaining mental health.
The Guide includes Internet websites as well as books and pamphlets.
Although advertisements may appear on some websites in the Guide, the University of Connecticut Health Center
Library makes no recommendations for these products or services nor endorses them.
Books listed may be available at your public library. If your
library does not own a book you would like to read, the library may be able to borrow a copy for your use
through the Interlibrary Loan System. In addition, Connecticut residents may borrow books directly from
other public libraries within the state with their own town library card.
Some books, such as directories, may be classified as reference
books and available only for use in the library.
Each book citation includes
the book’s unique International Standard Book Number (ISBN),which identifies the book and
is helpful when ordering a specific title.
Since this resource guide is
a publication of Healthnet:
Connecticut Consumer Information Network,
a program of the Lyman Maynard Stowe Library, University of Connecticut Health Center, it includes
Connecticut as well as national resources when they are available.
Some of the books on this resource
guide are not included in the collection of the Lyman Maynard Stowe Library at the
University of Connecticut Health Center.
Starting
with an Overview
BOOKS
Caring for the mind: The comprehensive
guide to mental health. Dianne R. Hales and Robert E. Hales. Bantam,
1996. 896 p. (ISBN 0-553-7511-3 paperback).
Comprehensive, understandable, and readable
guide to mental health and mental disorders. Written for the layperson by a psychiatrist and a health
writer. Brief case histories illustrate symptoms and treatments for specific illnesses.
Discusses disorder’s impact on relationships. Each chapter is preceded by a checklist of
symptoms. |
50 Signs of Mental Illness.
James Whitney Hicks. Yale University Press, 2006. 416 p. (ISBN 0-300-11694-2).
Four to five page alphabetically-arranged explanations of symptoms of mental illness
such as depression, hallucinations, sleep problems, and denial. The brief chapters include a short case history of an
individual with the symptoms described, information on how to cope with the symptoms, and details on treatment.
Written by a practicing psychiatrist who is a clinical professor of psychiatry at New York University.
Helping Someone with Mental Illness. A
Compassionate Guide for Family, Friends, and Caregivers. Rosalynn Carter
and Susan K. Golant. Crown Publishing Co., 1998. 368 p.
(0-8129-2898-9).
An encouraging guide to overcoming the negative
myths about mental illness. In this book, Mrs. Carter discusses her efforts
as an advocate for the mentally ill. The book includes explanations of
types of mental illness, illustrated by real life experiences of patients
and families. Advice on seeking treatment for a family member. Describes
the emotional stages that caregivers of the mentally ill experience. Warning
signs of mental illness in children and adults. Has an appendix of “resources
you may find helpful” that includes books, websites, organizations, and
government agencies.
Psychologists’ Desk Reference. Gerald
P. Koocher, John C. Norcross, Sam S. Hill III. Oxford University Press,
2005. 768 p. (ISBN 0-19-516606-X).
Compilation of practice guidelines, tests,
legal regulations, drug guidelines, ethical issues, abbreviations, sample
psychotherapist-patient contract, self-help organizations, etc. Written
for mental health clinicians. Chapters contributed by experienced practitioners.
Straight Talk About Your Mental Health.
James Morrison. Guilford Press, 2002. 343 p. (ISBN 1-57230-786-2 hardcover, ISBN 1-57230-674-2 paperback).
A compassionate, straightforward overview
of mental disorders, their symptoms, and current treatment. Includes charts
detailing antipsychotic medications, their appropriate dosages,and cost;
side effects of specific anti-anxiety medications; symptoms of abuse and
withdrawal from a variety of potentially abused substances. Guidance on
selecting and evaluating a therapist. Appendix includes a list of medications,
their brand names, and corresponding generic names, and a resource guide
to books, organizations, and websites. Especially helpful is a section
on "How to Talk to a Depressed Person--What Not to Say and What a Depressed
Person Might Need to Hear."
Talking to Depression. Simple Ways to Connect When Someone in
Your Life is Depressed. Claudia J. Strauss.
New American Library, 2004. 200 p. (ISBN 0-451-20986-9).
According to the dedication page of this important
book, "This book is not for the therapist, it is for the rest of us--untrained--doing
the best we can to live our lives and help those around us." "Everyday
people..can make a difference." This is a pragmatic guide written to help
friends and family support, encourage, and communicate with an individual
with depression during the great amount of time when she is not involved
directly with a therapist. The author provides an overview of the symptoms
of depression and gives insight into the feelings and circumstances of
the depressed person. There are chapters entitled "Words That Wound:What
Not to Say" and "Words That Work:What to Say." Includes a section on helpful
resources--organization, websites, books.
When Someone You Love Has a Mental Illness. A Handbook for Family,
Friend, and Caregivers. Rebecca Woolis.
Penguin, 2003. 308 p. (ISBN 0-87477-695-3).
A practical, realistic, and compassionate guide to coping with the realities of family
life with someone who has a mental illness. Written by a licensed family therapist whose specialty is mental illness.
Specific information on the experience of mental illness from the patient's viewpoint. Includes "Quick Reference
Guides" on topics such as "Handling Hallucinations," "Responding to Delusions," and "Expressing Negative Feelings Directly."
INTERNET WEBSITES
MedlinePlus
A National Library of Medicine website for
health consumers. Direct links to information on health and medical conditions.
Mental health section includes latest news, information on research and
clinical trials, coping strategies, treatment, glossaries of mental health
terms, organizations, statistics, articles on child and adolescent mental
health. Also links to relevant citations and abstracts of medical journal
articles.
MayoClinic.com Mental Health Center
Explanations of mental illnesses, including eating disorders, anxiety disorders,
and personality disorders, and their treatments. Includes responses to reader questions from psychiatrists on the Mayo
Clinic staff. Guidance on mental health self-care strategies such as anger management and strengthening
resilience. Discussions on "Mental Health: What's Normal, What's Not" and coping with the stigma of mental
illness.
National
Institute of Mental Health
Links to a variety of mental health pamphlets,
press releases, and fact sheets for health consumers, published by the National
Institute of Mental Health. The publications discuss symptoms, diagnosis,
and treatment of mental illnesses. Some are available in Spanish. Among the topics are borderline personality
disorder, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, and eating disorders.
Mental
Health: A Report of the Surgeon General
According to the 1999 Surgeon General's report,
despite the availability of a number of effective treatments, many Americans
are reluctant to obtain help for mental illnesses because of current stigmas
associated with the illnesses.
A full copy of the five hundred page report
and of the executive summary is available on the Surgeon General's website.
Back
to Contents
Diagnosing Mental Disorders
Adult bipolar disorders. Understanding
your diagnosis and getting help. Mitzi Waltz. O'Reilly,
2002. 371 p. (ISBN 0-596-50010-6 paperback).
A comprehensive, detailed, and compassionate
consumer health guide that explains how bipolar disorder is defined and
diagnosed, medications and their side effects, types of psychotherapy,
and how to negotiate the health care and insurance systems. Concludes with
specific suggestions for day-to-day living with bipolar disorders, including
the challenges of housing, succeeding at college, obtaining and retaining
jobs, financial and legal planning, and maintaining positive family relations.
Bipolar disorder : a guide for patients
and families. Francis M. Mondimore. Johns Hopkins University Press,
2006. 304 p. (ISBN 0-8018-8450-0 hardcover, ISBN 0-8018-8314-8 paperback).
Thorough, scientific, and understanding
guide to the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of bipolar disorder, or
manic-depression. Describes in detail the forms of bipolar disorder and
discusses the difficulties associated with an accurate diagnosis. Includes
a thorough discussion of the different treatments available for bipolar
disorder. Separate chapters are devoted to special topics including bipolar
disorder in children, alcoholism and drug abuse, seasonal affective disorder,
and the genetics of bipolar disorder.
The bipolar handbook. Real-Life questions and up-to-date answers
. Wes Burgess. Avery,
2006. 241 p. (ISBN 1-58333-249-9).
A psychiatrist who specializes in treating patients with bipolar
disorder provides concise, focused, realistic responses to questions patients have asked him and colleagues
over the years about diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and life style. He discusses how bipolar disorder is distinguished
from other mental illnesses, life style changes that can reinforce the positive effects of medication,
appropriate treatments, and enhancing career and personal relations. A chapter on "Crisis Management" focuses on
helping family members respond to a relative with bipolar disorder.
Coping with Schizophrenia. A guide for patients, families and caregivers.
Steven Jones and Peter Hayward. Oneworld Publications, 2004. 195 p. (ISBN 1-85168-344-5 paperback).
Written by two British psychologists, this book provides an encouraging, compassionate,
and understandable explanation of schizophrenia, its diagnosis and treatment, and the experience of being a schizophrenia
patient. It discusses myths about schizophrenia that provide barriers to understanding, medication and
behavioral therapy, and includes a lengthy chapter explaining cognitive behavioral therapy. It is enriched by case histories
that illustrate the authors' explanations. The appendix has instructions for two relaxation methods: deep muscle relaxation
and mindfulness relaxation. There are descriptions and contact information for British, U.S. and Canadian organizations
that provide assistance and support.
Depression and Anxiety. The Johns Hopkins
White Papers.
Karen L. Swartz and Simeon Margolis. Johns Hopkins,
2004. 80 p. (ISBN 0-929661-17-6 paperback).
One of a series of twelve, timely, comprehensive
paperbound consumer health "White Papers" published under the direction
of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, publisher of the Johns Hopkins
Medical Letter:Health After Fifty newsletter for health consumers. Written
by physicians, this brief publication provides an overview of symptoms,
diagnosis, treatment, genetic factors, and prognosis of anxiety and depression,
written in layman's terms.
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (DSM-IV-TR). 4th edition text revision. American Psychiatric
Association, 2000. 943 p. (ISBN 0-89042-024-6 hardcover, ISBN 0-89042-025-4 paperback).
The standard guide to the classification system
used by clinicians to diagnose mental disorders. Diagnostic criteria for
each disorder are listed and described. Updated periodically by a committee
of the American Psychiatric Association.
Surviving schizophrenia: a manual for families,
consumers, and providers. E. Fuller Torrey. Quill/HarperCollins, 2006.
576 p.(ISBN 0-06-084259-8).
Revision of a classic reference book on schizophrenia,
written by a clinical and research psychiatrist who has specialized in
this disorder. In addition to detailed information on schizophrenia's symptoms,
prognosis, treatment, and possible causes, this comprehensive guide includes
a compassionate chapter on understanding the altered perceptions and experiences
of a schizophrenia patient. A chapter discusses survival strategies for
families of patients. Extensive chapter-by-chapter reference list to medical
journal articles and other information sources. Description of useful Internet
websites on schizophrenia, as well as "best and worst books" written on
the disorder.
Understanding Depression. J. Raymond
DePaulo, Jr. and Leslie Alan Horvitz. John Wiley Sons, Inc., 2003.
304 p.(ISBN 0-471-43030-7).
An experienced psychiatrist and professor
at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. DePaulo presents a
detailed explanation of depression, its types, their symptoms and treatment.
The book includes a history of its early diagnosis and treatment and an
evaluation of specific alternative therapies. He illustrates his explanations
with brief, anonymous experiences of his patients. Included is information
about the mental health insurance system, a glossary, a list of helpful
organizations, and a bibliography of books for further reading.
Your Mental Health. A Layman’s Guide to
the Psychiatrist’s Bible. Allen Frances and Michael B. First.
DIANE Publishing, 2001. 447 p. (ISBN 0-7567-5109-8).
Written by psychiatrists associated with the
publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV),
this is an overview of the disorders the Manual describes. The book includes a diagnostic
screening questionnaire, symptom descriptions in layman’s terms, and readable,
lengthy discussions of the disorders. Includes practical information on
evaluating one’s need for professional help. Each chapter includes recommended
additional readings and resources for help. Also published under the title, Am I Okay?
A Layman’s Guide to the Psychiatrist’s Bible.
Your Child: Emotional, Behavioral, and Cognitive Development
from Birth Through Preadolescence.
David B. Pruitt,editor.
HarperInformation, 2000. 496 p. (ISBN 0-06-273730-9 paperback).
A publication of the American Academy of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry, the national professional association of child
and adolescent psychiatrists.
An authoritative, comprehensive overview of
childhood behavioral development. Childhood milestones from infancy to preadolescence. Discusses day-to-day
behavior concerns as well as more serious behavioral and emotional problems. Practical, reassuring recommendations
for handling the challenges of child rearing.
Your Adolescent : Emotional, Behavioral,
and Cognitive Development from Early Adolescence Through the Teen Years.
David
B. Pruitt and Virginia Q. Anthony. HarperInformation. 2000. 374 p. (ISBN 0-06-095676-3
paperback).
A publication of the American Academy of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Discusses normal development during the teenage
years as well as behaviors of serious concern. Focuses on “emotional, behavioral,
and cognitive development." Provides guidance with daily problems, and
practical suggestions for creating a positive home environment and encouraging
independence. Explanation of treatment options for mental illness and directory
of psychiatric medications.
WEBSITES
Depression:
Supporting loved ones through their battle with depression.
From the consumer health website of the Mayo
Clinic, this is an informative and clearly written guide about recommended responses
to a friend or family member experiencing depression. The website discusses
how to recognize the signs of depression and ways to provide support to
a friend or family member.
Bipolar Disorder
A collection of websites related to the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder,
from the MedlinePlus website for health consumers, published by the National Library of Medicine, part of the National
Institutes of Health.
Back
to Contents
Therapy Guidelines
BOOK
Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of
Psychiatric Disorders Compendium 2006. American Psychiatric Association,
2006. 1104 (ISBN 0-89042-38-0 hardcover, ISBN 0-89042-385-7 paperback).
Publication of the American Psychiatric Association,
professional association of psychiatrists. Written for physicians, the
guidelines were developed and compiled by a committee of psychiatrists
currently in clinical practice. The recommendations are based on research
studies and clinical experience. The guidelines discuss the psychiatric
evaluation of adults and specific disorders including bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia, and eating disorders. The Association has also published
a briefer Quick Reference to the American Psychiatric Association Practice
Guidelines for the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders Compendium 2006.
WEBSITE
National
Guideline Clearinghouse
Website of clinical practice guidelines, developed
by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in partnership
with the American Medical Association and the American Association of Health
Plans. Among almost 300 practice guidelines are more than one hundred guidelines
for treating mental disorders, including eating disorders, anxiety disorders,
schizophrenia, and substance-related disorders.
In the "Browse" category, under “disease/condition” category, select
“mental disorders” or start with “treatment/intervention” and select “behavioral
disciplines and activities.” Guidelines from different organizations can
be selected and compared.The collection of guidelines is also searchable.
Back
to Contents
Positive Child Rearing
BOOKS
Best Friends, Worst Enemies. Understanding
the Social Lives of Children. Michael Thompson, Catherine O'Neill Grace,
Lawrence J. Cohen. Random House Books, 2002. 320 p. (ISBN
0-345-44289-X).
In this book, directed toward parents, experiences
of children's friendships are told from a variety of viewpoints-- those
of parents, children, teachers, and psychologists. The information is based
on research into children's friendships as well the authors' counseling
and family experiences. The book includes many anecdotes of children's
experiences in group situations. These true stories illustrate both the
kind and cruel behavior of children as they form friendly alliances and
volley for status in their social groups. The book concludes with realistic
advice on facilitating your child's friendships without embarrassing your
child!
Dr. Spock's The School Years. Benjamin
Spock, edited by Martin T. Stein. Simon and Schuster, 2001. 304 p. (ISBN 0-7434-1123-4) Out of print.
Available at some public libraries.
Based on magazine articles for parents written
by parenting expert Dr. Benjamin Spock in the 1980's and 1990's, this is
a companion volume to Dr. Spock's The First Two Years. The focus
is on social and emotional aspects of parenting, not illnesses or disorders.
The book includes essays that highlight teaching values to children, raising
self-reliant children, a father's role in discipline, stepparenting experiences,
adolescent peer pressure, all discussed in down-to-earth, practical terms.
Additional parenting guidance is available on Dr.
Spock's website.
Fatherneed. Why Father Care is as Essential
as Mother Care for Your Child. Kyle D. Pruett. Broadway, 2001. 256
p. (ISBN 0-7679-0737-X paperback).
A psychiatrist at the Yale Child Study Center
explains the unique and vital characteristics of fathering. Dr. Pruett's
findings are based on an extensive study of the experience of men who stayed
home to raise their children when the youngsters were quite young. He explains
how their fathering enriched their children's lives. The book includes
specific guidance in stage-by-stage childrearing for fathers.
Learning and Growing Together. Understanding
and Supporting Your Child's Development. Claire
Lerner and Amy Laura Dombro. Zero to Three, National Center for Infants,
Toddlers, and Families, 2000. 52 p. (ISBN 0-943657-05-9).
An informal, practical, understanding guide
to parenting children from infancy through age three. Discusses what it
feels like to be a parent, how to adjust your parenting style to your child's
temperament, and toddlers' physical and emotional development. The
book's parenting advice is illustrated by many realistic examples of childrearing
situations.
Listening to Fear. Helping Kids Cope, from Nightmares to the Nightly News.
Steven Marans. Henry Holt and Company, 2005.
p. 257 p. (ISBN 0-8050-7604-2).
Children often express their fears to parents, but sometimes in mystifying, complicated ways.
Dr. Marans, associate professor of psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and director of the National
Center for Children Exposed to Violence, has written a compassionate guide to help parents interpret their children's
nonverbal expressions of fear and to effectively comfort them. Relevant and contemporary, it discusses the effects
of war and terrorism as well as developmental fears.
Mom, They're Teasing Me. Michael Thompson,
Lawrence J. Cohen, and Catherine O'Neill Grace. DIANE Publishing Company,
2006. 247 p. (ISBN 0-4223-5381-8 hardcover, ISBN 0-345-45011-6 paperback).
A compassionate, informative guide for parents
and teachers about the realities of social cruelty among children. Written
by two child psychologists and a writer. Each introductory section of the
book is followed by illustrative case histories, questions from parents
and teachers, and thoughtful, practical answers by the authors on improving
home and classroom situations in which children are socially isolated and
participating in bullying.
No More Misbehavin'. 38 Difficult Behaviors
and How to Stop Them. Michele Borba. John Wiley and Sons, 2003. 352
p. (ISBN 0-7879-6617-7 paperback).
Practical, helpful guide to positive, effective
discipline that includes specific suggestions and dialogue. Real life examples
relate to children in the preschool through teenage years. Discusses problem
behaviors such as homework battles, bossiness, bullying, defiance, whining,
and stealing. Includes a list of resources for further reading for both
parent and child at the end of each chapter.
Not My Kid: 21 Steps to Raising a Nonviolent Child.
Mary E. Muscari. University of Scranton Press, 2002. 268
p. (ISBN 1-58966-004-8).
Guiding children to positive, compassionate ways of interacting with others,
based on their age and maturity level, is the key to promoting nonviolent behavior, according to this parenting
guide. Dr. Muscari, a nursing professor at the University of Scranton, provides practical advice to parents
about discipline, minimizing children's stress, helping children learn effective problem solving, monitoring
television and Internet exposure, and avoiding drug abuse. Each section of the book clearly outlines
appropriate behavior and healthy, effective discipline techniques for each age range from infancy to adolescence.
Our Last Best Shot: Guiding our Children
through early Adolescence. Laura Sessions
Stepp. Riverhead Books, 2001. 359 p. (ISBN 1-57322-875-3).
Focuses on an often neglected but crucial
stage of child development-- ages ten to fifteen, when children are maturing
physically, emotionally, intellectually, morally, sexually. Intended as
an encouraging guide for parents, each chapter includes specific suggestions
for parents based on the challenges presented in the chapter. The author
researched scientific literature on this developmental stage and interviewed
experts. The important perspectives she gained are illustrated through
the experiences of twelve, actual, early adolescents of varying backgrounds
whom the author visited and observed throughout the course of a year. Their
stories are written in an absorbing, novel-like style.
A Parent's Guide to Building Resilience in Children and Teens. Giving Your
Child Roots and Wings.
Kenneth R. Ginsburg. American Academy of Pediatrics, 2006. 300 p.
(ISBN 1-58110-226-7).
Dr. Ginsburg, a physician who specializes in adolescent medicine, offers realistic
recommendations for the challenges of raising "strong children who can handle the bumps and bruises that the
world has in store." He offers parents guidance in helping their children establish positive
coping strategies and developing confidence in their own abilities. He includes suggestions for guiding children
in dealing with peer pressure, including parent-and-child sample dialogues. The book includes discussions of how to help
children deal effectively with "extreme circumstances" such as divorce, terrorism, natural disasters, and wars, as
well as a guide for preteens about managing stress.
Put Yourself in Their Shoes : Understanding
How Your Child Sees the World. Barbara
F. Meltz. Delacorte Press, 1999. 432 p. (ISBN: 0-440-50823-1).
A warm, insightful view of the thoughts and
concerns in the minds of children that impact their everyday behavior,
written by the veteran parenting columnist for the Boston Globe newspaper.
Focuses on problems by developmental stage rather than by age. Offers practical
suggestions on effective communication with children of a variety of ages.
The author's observations and anecdotes illustrate the needs of children
that they often fail to express to their parents.
Raising Resilient Children. Robert
Brooks and Sam Goldstein. McGraw-Hill, 2002. 336 p. (ISBN 0-8092-9764-7 hardcover,
0-8092-9765-5 paperback).
A compassionate, practical guide to rearing
confident, self-assured children capable of solving problems that arise
in school, within the family, and among friends. Written by experienced
child psychologists, its realistic "guideposts" are illustrated with case
histories from the authors' experiences. An encouraging, positive approach
for parents. The Power of Resilience, with recommendations for
adults, was published by the co-authors in 2003. Raising a Self-Disciplined Child: Help Your Child
Become More Responsible, Confident and Resilient was released in 2007. Additional guidance at
the authors' website.
Raising a Secure Child. Creating an Emotional Connection Between You and Your
Child. Zeynep Biringen. Berkley Publishing Group, 2004.
317 p. (ISBN 0-399-52994-2).(Out of print but available at some public libraries.)
Spending a great deal of time with your child may not build a solid relationship between
the two of you if you are not emotionally, as well as physically, available. A parent's emotional availability,
which can be measured,
plays a strong role in determining if a child is able to form bonds with others in adulthood and cope with
daily challenges.
Dr. Biringen, a child psychologist, provides specifics on evaluating your own emotional availability to your child and
suggestions for handling daily interactions in an emotionally positive way. Background information about the author and
her research is available at the author's website.
Raising Stable Kids in an Unstable World. David
Ryan Marks. Health Communications, 2002. 250 p.(ISBN 1-55874-951-9 paperback).
In the tradition of Dr. David Elkind's classic
parenting book, The Hurried Child, physician and parent Dr. David
Marks encourages parents to relieve stress in their children's lives by
allowing them to enjoy a more easy-going childhood than many over-scheduled,
pressured children currently live. He includes many actual case histories
of children who exhibited physical symptoms in response to inappropriate
parental pressure. He encourages parents to allow children to select activies
they enjoy (that may not be their parents' choices) and to allow sufficient
free time each day for a youngster to just be a child. He includes suggestions for specific
relaxation techniques such as exercise, deep breathing, and visualization.
The 10 Basic Principles of Good Parenting. Laurence
Steinberg. Simon and Schuster, 2005. 224 p.(ISBN 0-7432-5116-4 paperback).
Based on research on effective child rearing,
psychologist Dr. Laurence Steinberg of Temple University presents a realistic,
understanding guide to parenting children from infancy to adolescence.
He illustrates each of the "10 basic principles" (e.g. Adapt your parenting
to fit your child, Be involved in your child's life, You cannot be too
loving, Be consistent, etc.) with specific examples of what to do in order to
raise independent, compassionate children..and what not to do.
Too Much of a Good Thing. Raising Children
of Character in an Indulgent Age. Dan
Kindlon. Hyperion, 2003. 288 p. (ISBN 0-7868-8624-2 paperback).
Written by psychologist Dan Kindlon, also
the author of the book, Raising Cain, this understanding book focuses
on the dangers of giving children too much and demanding too little responsibility
from them. Many examples and real-life anecdotes illustrate the negative
behavior such overindulgence can lead to. Dr. Kindlon began the writing
of this book by gathering data from children and parents in widely distributed
areas of the country through his Parenting Practices at the Millenium Study.
His advice and warnings are tempered by stories about his own parenting
experiences. The book concludes with a chapter of realistic techniques
for responsibly "parenting in an age of indulgence."
Touchpoints Three to Six. Your Child's
Emotional and Behavioral Development. T. Berry Brazelton and Joshua
D. Sparrow. Basic Books, 2002. 528 p. (ISBN 0-7382-0678-4).
A continuation, for parenting children ages
three to six, of Dr. Brazelton's Touchpoints book on raising infants through
children aged three. How to understand key milestones in a young child's
life that are often marked by regression and then progress. Written with
a colleague who is a child psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School and Boston
Children's Hospital. Examples of positive childrearing practices and the
range of children's personalities and their varying parenting needs are
illustrated through descriptions of four very different hypothetical children
as they age from three to six years. The book's second part includes chapters
on parenting "challenges" such as divorce, adoption, chores and allowance,
moving, toilet training.
Your Adolescent. Emotional, Behavioral,
and Cognitive Development from Early Adolescence Through the Teen Years.
David
B. Pruitt and Virginia Q. Anthony. HarperResource, 2000. 400 p. (ISBN 0-0609-5676-3).
A publication of the American Academy of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry, national professional association of child and
adolescent psychiatrists.
Discusses normal development during the teenage
years as well as behaviors of serious concern. Focuses on “emotional, behavioral,
and cognitive development.” Provides guidance with daily problems,
and practical suggestions for creating a positive home environment and
encouraging independence. Explanation of treatment options for mental illness
and directory of psychiatric medications.
Your Child. Emotional, Behavioral, and
Cognitive Development from Birth through Preadolescence. David B. Pruitt,
editor. HarperCollins. 2000. 496 p. paperback. (ISBN 0-06-273730-9).
A publication of the American Academy of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry, the national professional association of child
and adolescent psychiatrists.
An authoritative, comprehensive overview of
childhood behavioral development. Practical, reassuring recommendations
for handling the challenges of child rearing. A “How to Respond” section
with parenting suggestions follows each discussion of a problem behavior.
Includes guidance on parenting a child with a chronic illness, depression,
and disruptive behavior disorders.
WEBSITES
American
Academy of Family Physicians
Under the "Parents and Kids" section, there
are hyperlinks to a number of mainly one page online informational sheets
on a variety of health topics written for parents, teenagers, and children,
including "Dealing with Feelings," and "ADHD: What Parents Should Know."
Facts for
Families
Published by the American Academy of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Each online one page fact sheet provides an overview
of a topic related to children’s emotional needs or problems, such as sleep
problems, depression, school refusal, TV violence. Can also be ordered by mail or fax. Some fact
sheets are available online in
Spanish, German, Polish, Icelandic, as well as English.
Family Guide to Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy
and Drug Free
A website of the federal government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA)
Specific recommendations for parents to help them in communicating with children and
adolescents facing the risks of beginning alcohol and drug use. Discusses how to set rules, act as a role model, communicate
effectively with your child.
Healthy Minds: Nurturing Your
Child's Development
Seven, brief online parenting brochures grouped by age about children from newborn to
thirty-six months, from Zero to Three, a national nonprofit organization that provides information on parenting
young children. Available in Spanish and English. Each explains "What's going on" (Characteristics of children at
that age), "What you can do" (How
to encourage your child's healthy development), and "Questions to ask yourself" (How you would describe your child's
growth in specific areas of development). Requires free registration and login to access these brochures.
Kidshealth.org
for Parents
Attractive, practical website with separate
sections for parents, children, and teens. Focuses on health and child rearing.
Published by the Alfred I. duPont Hospital
for Children and the Nemours Children's Clinics. Parenting section on “emotions
and behavior” includes twenty articles on topics such as childhood stress,
coping with anxiety, dealing with bullies, and temper tantrums. Includes
a section on "positive parenting."
New
York University Child Study Center
Practical parenting advice. Real life questions
from parents provide a springboard to guidance and discussions from mental
health professionals. Includes articles
on parenting topics, and brief explanations of mental health disorders in children.
"The Parent Letter,"
containing advice on parenting issues for parents of school-age children, is published
monthly. There is a monthly question-and-answer "Ask the Expert" feature. Select "For Families."
Parenting
and Family Resources from the American Psychological Association
News releases and advice on topics such as
stepparenting, resilience for teens, resilience in a time of war, painful shyness in children and adults.
Select "articles and information" then "family and relationships."
Back
to contents
Finding a Therapist
American Psychological Association
1-800-964-2000. The operator answering this 800
phone number will direct the caller to the local referral service that corresponds
to the caller’s zip code.You may also search for psychologists in your
area by using the Association's online Find a Psychologist
feature.
American
Psychiatric Association
The
APA Answer Center may be contacted by phone at 1-800-35-PSYCH for local organizations to contact
for psychiatrists in your area.
Connecticut
Psychiatric Society
One Regency Drive, P.O. Box 30, Bloomfield
CT 06002. phone: (800) 234-6463 or (860) 243-3977, FAX: (860) 286-0787.
District branch of the American Psychiatric
Association. Can be contacted for psychiatrist referrals.
Folio’s medical directory of Connecticut
and Rhode Island. Annual. Folio Associates Inc., 297 North St. Suite 212, Hyannis,
MA 02601-5130>
Alphabetical listings of physicians by name,
by town within Connecticut, and by specialty, including psychiatry and
child and adolescent psychiatry. Includes medical education, address and
phone number, and languages spoken.
Mental Health
Association of Connecticut, Inc.
For therapist referrals, write the Association
at 20-30 Beaver Road, Wethersfield CT 06109 or telephone at (860) 529-1970
or toll-free in Connecticut 1-800-842-1501, extension 10. Details on leaving
a confidential voice mail request at the In Need of Help? section of the website.
New
York Child Study Center
An informative article about seeking professional help
for a child with emotional health needs,
from the website of the New York University Child Study Center.
The official ABMS compendium of certified
medical specialists. Annual. American Board of Medical Specialties.
107 Church Street, Suite 404, Evanston, IL 60201-5913. 4 volumes.
A guide to physicians who have been awarded
certification by one of 24 national specialty boards, including psychiatry.
Name and geographic indexes. Under state-by-state geographic listing of
psychiatrists, reader can obtain details on Connecticut psychiatrists by
town. Includes places and dates of internships and residencies as well
as medical school attended. This information may also be obtained on the
American
Board of Medical Specialties' website under the hyperlink "Is Your Doctor Certified?"
Searchers are required to register and login.
Back
to Contents
Medications
BOOKS
Complete guide to psychiatric drugs. Straight
talk for best results. Edward Drummond. John Wiley and Sons, Inc, 2006.
352 p. (ISBN 0-471-75062-X paperback)
Clearly written, well-organized, and detailed
information on psychiatric drugs. For each drug, the author, a physician
board-certified in psychiatry, discusses precautions, drug interactions,
dosage, side effects, and "what to expect when you stop" taking the medication.
Includes suggestions on topics to discuss with your physician before beginning
a psychiatric medication. There are also chapters on specific psychiatric
diagnoses and recommended treatments.
Straight talk about psychiatric medications
for kids, revised edition. Timothy E. Wilens. Guilford Press, 2004. 310 p. (ISBN 1-59385-031-X hardcover,
1-57230-945-8 paperback)
Explanations of children’s psychiatric disorders
and current drug treatments. Written by a physician who specializes in
pediatric pharmacology. Most of the book is in question-and-answer format
with sample questions addressing practical topics such as the advisability
of medication holidays, concerns about addiction from prescribed medications,
and dosage timing.
WEBSITES
ADHD Parents Medication Guide
Written especially for parents, this guide discusses medications available for
treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, their side effects, how they are taken, over-the-counter
medications that might interfere with them, and other recommendations. The website is a joint publication of
the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Psychiatric Association. It is published
in Spanish and English. The website also includes a Medication Guide for Treating Depression
, directed to parents.
Consumer
Drug Information from the Food and Drug Administration
Website produced by the Center for Drug Evaluation
and Research at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Contains one page overviews of drug information
for consumers. Does not include all F.D.A. approved drugs.
Drugs--Prescription/Over-the-Counter
A selective guide to recommended drug information
websites from Healthnet:
Connecticut Consumer Health Information Network.
Medications
A guide to psychiatric medications from the federal government's
National Institute of Mental Health. Explanations of antianxiety, antipsychotic, antimanic, and antidepressant
medications, including side effects. Alphabetical lists of drugs by brand and generic names
and their equivalents, as well as a list of children's medications.
MedlinePlus
Information written for patients and families
on more than 9,000 prescription and over-the-counter drugs, accessible
from the National Library of Medicine's comprehensive consumer health website.
Information comes from the Medmaster database published by the
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
(ASHP). Select "Drugs and Supplements."
Back
to Contents
Men’s Emotional Health
WEBSITE
Men and Depression
From the website of the National Institute of Mental Health, "real stories of men
with depression, how they got help and got better." Interviews with men who experienced depression, revealing full
names and backgrounds. On the website, there is also factual information about signs and symptoms of depression
and its treatment. There are links to agencies that provide help.
Women’s Emotional Health
BOOKS
Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women.
Lauren
Slater, Jessica Henderson Daniel, Amy Elizabeth Banks. Beacon Press, 2003.
400 p. (ISBN 0-8070-2925-4 paperback)
In addition to providing an overview of life
stages and their effects on women's emotions, this comprehensive book includes
brief chapters by mental health experts on topics such as schizophrenia,
aging, body image, eating disorders, and addictions. An extensive section
of the book discusses treatments, including anti-depressant medications, cognitive
behavioral therapy, anti-anxiety medications and others. The book concludes
with suggestions for additional reading, arranged by chapter.
Back
to Contents
Mental Health in Older Adults
WEBSITE
American
Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
Information for patients, families, and caregivers,
in English and Spanish, related specifically to the unique characteristics
of mental health and mental disorders in older adults. Includes online
booklets and fact sheets about depression at holidays, caring for the Alzheimer's
disease patient, depression in late life, alcohol and aging. Select "Consumer/Patient Information."
Children’s Mental Health
BOOKS
Adolescent Depression. A Guide for Parents. Francis Mark Mondimore.
Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002.
304 p. (ISBN 0-8018-7058-5 hardcover, ISBN 0-8018-7065-8 paperback)
An important explanation of the ways serious depression,
a symptom of mood disorders, is exhibited differently in adolescents compared to its expression in
adults. Written by a psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, this detailed,
comprehensive book discusses how to recognize serious depression in a teenager,
how it differs from normal adolescent moodiness, and how it is treated. The book is enhanced by illustrative
case histories of adolescents who are experiencing depression. There is emphasis on the parent's role
in the child's progress, planning for emergencies, and seeking family
support during difficult times.
ADHD: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
in Children, Adolescents, and Adults. Paul H. Wender. Oxford University Press, 2001.
277 p. (ISBN 0-19-511349-7)
An updated edition of the classic guide to
Attention Deficit Disorder in children and adults, this book was written
by the physician who was among the first clinicians to recognize and treat
ADHD. Written in readable style, it includes information about the characteristics
of children with ADHD, causes of the disorder, and an overview of treatments
as well as practical suggestions for parents. A significant portion
of the book focuses on case histories of adults with ADHD and its management
in adults.
ADHD: A Complete and Authoritative Guide.
Michael I. Reiff and Sherrill Tippins. American Academy of Pediatrics, 2004.
355 p. (ISBN 1-58110-121-X)
One volume in a series of books for parents authored by the American Academy of Pediatrics,
national professional association of pediatricians. The book discusses the diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit
disorder,including its management at home and school. It focuses on clinically proven, evidence-based therapies. One
chapter discusses "unproven treatments for ADHD." The book describes the identification of coexisting conditions a child
may have in addition to ADHD. It concludes with chapters describing ADHD in adolescents and the process of
applying to college and functioning in the university setting.
Attention-Deficit Disorders and Comorbidities
in Children, Adolescents, and Adults. Thomas E. Brown, editor. American
Psychiatric Press, 2008. 2nd edition. 671 p. (ISBN 1-58562-158-7)
Written for health professionals, this book
is a collection of chapters by more than twenty researchers describing
specific aspects of attention deficit disorder. Half the book focuses on
attention deficit disorder and the other half discusses disorders such
as anxiety, Tourette's syndrome, and learning disorders that often accompany
it. The chapters discuss diagnosis and treatment in adults as well as children.
The Bipolar Child. The Definitive and Reassuring
Guide to Childhood's Most Misunderstood Disorder. Demitri E. Papolos
and Janice Papolos. Broadway Books, 2008. 3rd edition. 496 p. (ISBN 0-7679-2860-1).
Written for parents by a Connecticut psychiatrist
and his spouse, this book describes the behavior of children with bipolar
disorder, often exhibited since infancy. It discusses how the disorder
is diagnosed, its causes, its impact on siblings and parents, drugs used
for treatment. As well as being a source for detailed medical information,
this book provides support for parents. It includes compassionate accounts
of children who have been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. It presents
advice on the practical aspects of school, hospitalization, and adolescence
as well as resources for further information. The authors' website The
Bipolar Child includes a newsletter, interviews with the authors, and a
model Individual Education Plan for a bipolar child.
Delivered from Distraction. Getting the Most out of Life
with Attention Deficit Disorder. Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey.
Random House, 2005. 416 p. (ISBN 0-345-44230-X hardcover).
Psychiatrists Edward Hallowell and John Ratey, specialists in the diagnosis
and treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder and self-described as "two men who have ADD themselves" have
updated their landmark, consumer-focused 1994 book about ADD in children and adults, Driven to Distraction.
This revision has the benefit of a decade of advances in ADD diagnosis and treatment. Enhanced by humor and case
histories, this is a realistic, helpful protrayal of the difficulties of living with ADD or
being the close friend or relative of an individual struggling with ADD. It has a great deal of information on
current diagnostic methods and treatment.
Depressed Child. A Parent's Guide for Rescuing
Kids. Douglas A. Riley. Taylor, 2001. 208 p. (ISBN 0-87833-187-5).
Written by a child and adolescent psychologist,
this book is a practical, supportive guide to a proactive therapy intervention
in which parents can take a direct role. The method is directed at "cognitive
depression" rather than depression involving biochemical or environmental
stress. The book includes illustrative dialogues between Dr. Riley and
a young patient, and as well as other patients' case histories.
The Explosive Child. Ross W. Greene.
Harper Collins, 2005. 320 p. (ISBN 0-06-077939-X paperback).
"A new approach for understanding and parenting
easily frustrated, 'chronically inflexible' children." As director of cognitive-behavioral
psychology at Massachusetts General Hospital, psychologist Ross Greene
developed flexible, practical techniques for effectively guiding frequently
explosive children to cope with their environment. This book is directed
at parents in need of help. Dr. Greene includes realistic accounts and
dialogues of parent-child communications and suggests ways of adapting
parenting skills to the needs of these children and setting priorities
for behavioral changes. The book includes a chapter on "user-friendly schools"
with specific suggestions and dialogues for productive interactions with
explosive children.
From Chaos to Calm. Effective Parenting of Challenging Children with ADHD
and Other Behavioral Problems. Janet E. Heininger and Sharon K. Weiss.
Perigree, 2001. 352 p. (ISBN 0-399-52661-7).
This book is a unique guide for parents of children with ADHD. It includes three
alternating viewpoints throughout the text: that of a seventh grade boy diagnosed with attention deficit disorder
in third grade, his mother, and a behavioral consultant who has worked with the family. Many realistic, daily
situations are described, starting with descriptions of the chaos of waking the son and coaxing him to
get ready for school and, at the end of the day, getting him to bed at a reasonable time. The behavioral consultant
advocates a "planned parenting" framework, that applies to parenting all children in the family, in contrast
to "reactive parenting," that involves making decisions on the spur of the moment. The behavioral consultant describes, and
explains the rationale for, specific disciplining techniques. A "solution finder" index at the end of the book
allows parents to select pages in the text by problem (e.g. curfew--enforcing, allowance--incentive for behavior, etc.)
There is an extensive book and organization resource list for parents, educators, and children.
Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder. James Lock and Daniel Le Grange
.Guilford Press, 2004. 296 p. (ISBN 1-57230-908-3 paperback, ISBN 1-59385-101-4 hardcover).
A treatment approach to adolescent eating disorders in which "parents are an integral
part." The authors, a child psychiatrist and a psychologist, who specialize in research and treatment of eating disorders,
emphasize the urgency of treating these disorders. They describe current treatments and many scenarios for parent
cooperation in helping a child resume healthy eating habits. The book includes a resource guide to diagnostic and
treatment centers in the United States and other countries.
Maybe You Know My Teen. A Parent's Guide
to Helping Your Adolescent with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Mary
Fowler. Broadway, 2001. 384 p. (ISBN 0-7679-0514-8).
A guide to parenting an adolescent with ADD,
written by a middle school teacher who is the parent of a son with ADD
and the author of Maybe You Know My Child. A Parent's Guide to Helping Your
Child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Realistic, compassionate
overview of the parenting challenges one faces. Incorporates behavior management
guidelines, including the suggestion that parents provide a "scaffold"
of "routines" and "structures" that support a teenager with ADD. Interspersed
with suggestions for helpful websites, books, and medical journal articles.
Real life examples of adolescents and parents coping with the child's ADD.
Incorporates advice from experts in the field. Discusses special education
needs and understanding the educational system. One chapter deals with
extreme situations in which a teenager behaves violently.
More Than Moody: Recognizing and Treating
Adolescent Depression. Harold S. Koplewicz. Perigee Books, 2003.
384 p. (ISBN 0-399-52912-8).
An experienced child psychiatrist who is the
founder of the New York University Child Study Center, Dr. Koplewicz has
provided a compassionate, informative account of depression as experienced
by a number of his adolescent patients over the years and its current treatment
in adolescents. The narrative is enriched by accounts of his meetings with
patients many years after their treatment. The former patients provide
first person reports of their feelings and experiences during very difficult
times. The book is supplemented by a medication chart that includes appropriate
dosages and F.D.A. approved age ranges, a list of recommended books, and
a resource guide to organizations that may provide additional information.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Help for
Children and Adolescents. Mitzi Waltz. O'Reilly, 2000. 408 p.(ISBN
1-56592-758-3).
A journalist who experienced obsessive-compulsive
disorder as a child and who is the parent of children with OCD has written
an informative, clearly written guide to the diagnosis, management, and
treatment of this neurological disorder. The book includes information
about medication and alternative therapies. The full text of the Children's
Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, used to determine the degree of
obsessive compulsive symptoms, is included in the appendix.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders. A Complete
Guide to Getting Well and Staying Well. Fred Penzel. Oxford University
Press, 2000. 448 p. (ISBN 0-19-514092-3).
In a book directed to patients and their families,
a psychologist whose practice focuses on treatment of obsessive-compulsive
disorder discusses behavioral therapies and other treatments, as well as
the symptoms of OCD in children and adults, in understandable details. The
book is enriched by case histories, a glossary of terms, a symptom checklist,
and a list of recommended books and online resources.
Raising a Moody Child. How to Cope with Depression and Bipolar Disorder.
Mary A. Fristad and Jill S. Goldberg Arnold. Guilford
Press, 2003. 260 p. (ISBN 1-57230-871-0 paperback, ISBN 1-57230-930-X hardcover).
Written by child psychologists who specialize in childhood mood disorders, this
is a compassionate and realistic guide for parents whose children have been
diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder or show symptoms of these diagnoses. A honest portrayal of how an
affected child's behavior impacts siblings, parents, classmates, and herself, including many illustrative case histories.
Specific guidance for parents seeking treatment for their child and help with coping.
Straight Talk about Psychological Testing for Kids. Ellen Braaten and Gretchen Felopulos.
Guilford Press, 2004. 260 p. (ISBN 1-57230-948-7 hardcover, ISBN 1-57230-787-0 paperback)
A comprehensive, detailed, and informative guide to psychological testing,
directed to parents. Written by staff psychologists at the Psychology Assessment Center of the
Massachusetts General Hospital for Children. Includes a discussion of how to determine if a child needs testing,
descriptions of tests, and explanations of sample test results. Enriched by parent-generated questions
and the authors' responses. In addition to topical resource guides for books, organizations, and websites
at the end of each chapter, the book concludes with a general resource guide.
Straight Talk about Your Child's Mental
Health. What to Do When Something Seems Wrong. Stephen V. Faraone. Guilford Press, 2003. 389 p. (ISBN 1-57230-894-X
hardcover, ISBN 1-57230-631-9 paperback)
Enriched by charts of "Fast Facts" about children's
mental health and "Road Maps" detailing treatments, this is an understandable,
comprehensive overview of mental disorders in children. It is directed
toward parents in an initial exploration of finding professional help for
their children. In addition to information about causes and symptoms of
mental health problems, there are guidelines on gathering information about
a child before an intial therapy session and preparing a child for a psychological
evaluation. There are practical suggestions for navigating the mental health
care system and working with the child's school.
You Will Dream New Dreams. Inspiring Personal
Stories by Parents of Children with Disabilities. Stanley D. Klein
and Kim Schive, editors. Kensington Books, 2007. 278 p. (ISBN 0-7582-2282-3)
Brief, realistic, warm essays by parents of
children with Down Syndrome, autism, Asperger syndrome, and other disabilities.
These sensitive essays give insight into their initial and ongoing parenting
experiences. One essay, especially helpful to friends and relatives, is
entitled, "What to Say" and includes suggestions on "What not to say to
parents of a child with a disability" and "What to say to parents who have
a newborn with a disability." This chapter also includes a positive, touching
letter one family included with their child's birth announcement. The book
includes a directory of parent resource organizations with addresses, phone
numbers, and website addresses.
WEBSITES
Child
Mental Health
A collection of hyperlinks to brochures, organizations,
and websites about diagnosis, symptoms, prevention, treatment, and research
related to child and adolescent mental health. Includes links to glossaries
of mental health terms. From MedlinePlus
, a National Library of Medicine website for health consumers.
Going
to a Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or Therapist
Part of an excellent website for children
and parents, published by the Nemours Foundation. This article is written
especially for children about to see a therapist for the first time. Select
the website's category "Dealing with Feelings," then select "My Emotions and Behaviors." Compares the need to visit
a therapist to the more readily accepted need to see a physician for a "broken arm or
a bad cold." Emphasizes the importance of seeking assistance for problems
that are not as evident as a broken bone. Explains reasons for visiting
a therapist, and what to expect during an initial therapy session. Written
in language understandable to a child.
A Mind of Their Own
Transcript of an informative, realistic, and compassionate public radio broadcast
on childhood bipolar disorder. Enriched by supplementary information on bipolar disorder and interviews
with children with the disorder, their feelings and viewpoints, and their parents' experiences.
Surgeon
General's Report on Children's Mental Health
Full text of the Report of the Conference
on Children's Mental Health: A National Action Agenda, is available
on the United States' Surgeon General's website. The report "outlines goals
and strategies to improve ..services for children and adolescents with
mental health problems and their families" in response to the nation's
"public crisis in mental health for children and adolescents."
Back
to Contents
Pervasive Development
Disorders
Asperger Syndrome and Your Child. Michael
D. Powers with Janet Poland. HarperResource, 2003. 302 p. (ISBN 0-06-093488-3 paperback
).
In this valuable and practical guide for parents
of children with Asperger syndrome, Dr. Michael D. Powers, a psychologist
with a great deal of experience helping children with Asperger Syndrome,
explains the unique brain functioning of children and adults with this
pervasive development disorder and how this affects an individual's social
responses and behavior. He shows great understanding and compassion for
the families of people with Asperger's, who often expound on narrow topics
at great length but lack skills in understanding the subtleties of language
and social relationships. The book includes many suggestions for advocating
for one's child at school and in the community. It is a helpful resource
for teaching a child with Asperger Syndrome the social skills that many
other children acquire easily and independently. The book concludes with
a resource guide to organizations and Internet websites, a reading list
arranged by chapter topic, and an index.
Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Understanding
the Diagnosis and Getting Help. Mitzi Waltz. O’Reilly, 2002. second
edition. 528 p. (ISBN 0-596-50013-9)
Indepth discussion of the diagnosis, treatment,
and support resources for children with pervasive developmental disorders.
Written for parents by a journalist whose son was diagnosed with PDD. Reflects
extensive research into the practical as well as medical aspects of parenting
a child with PDD. Discusses insurance options, adjustment to school, finding
community resources, effects on the family, commonly prescribed drugs,
and therapeutic options.
Children with Autism: A Parents' Guide.
Michael D. Powers, editor. Woodbine, 2000. 456 p. (ISBN 1-890627-04-6).
This very helpful overview discusses Asperger's
disorder, Rett's disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive
development disorder--not otherwise specified, as well as autistic disorder--their
symptoms and treatment. The chapters are written by physicians, psychologists,
educators, and parents with extensive experience with autistic children.
The book includes a great deal of practical information on advocating for
one's child in the medical and educational systems, managing day-to-day
living, and maintaining parents' relationships despite parenting challenges.
Each chapter ends with compassionate anecdotes and comments from parents
of autistic children. There is a resource guide to organizations and agencies.
Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome.
Tony Attwood. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2007. 397 p. (ISBN 1-84310-495-4 hardcover,
1-84310-669-8 paperback).
A comprehensive guide to Asperger's Syndrome that includes diagnosis,
how people with Asperger's express emotion,
communicate, and understand social interactions, show sensitivity to sensory experiences, and often become
targets of bullies. An especially helpful
resource section includes books that explain the diagnosis to children, to relatives and others in community,
novels that feature heroes who have Asperger's Syndrome, and biographies. Written by a clinical psychologist
with extensive experience with Asperger's Syndrome patients.
Demystifying Autism Spectrum Disorders. A Guide to Diagnosis
for Parents and Professionals.
Carolyn Thorwarth Bruey. Woodbine, 2004. 241 p. (ISBN 1-890627-34-8).
A compassionate explanation of the symptoms and "behaviorally based"
diagnostic process of five autism spectrum disorders (autistic
disorder, Asperger's, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett's disorder and pervasive developmental
disorder--not otherwise specified). Written by a psychologist who focuses her work on autistic spectrum disorders,
this detailed, practical book is directed to parents who are concerned about a child's lagging or atypical development
but uncertain about its medical significance. The book dispels myths such as "Parents cause autism." It is enriched by
parents' brief narratives of their experiences. There is a detailed explanation of the diagnostic process with specific
suggestions about how to prepare your child for a medical visit, especially if she is disturbed by changes in routine, as well as explanations
of proven and unproven therapies.
Eating an Artichoke. A Mother's Perspective
on Asperger Syndrome. Echo R. Fling. Jessica Kingsley, 2000. 207 p.(ISBN
1-85302-711-1). Out of Print. Available at some public libraries.
The story of a family that learns, through
a lengthy process, that their son has Asperger's syndrome, complete with
the frustrating and challenging day-to-day experiences that often characterize
this diagnosis. Written in the style of a novel, this warm, understanding
account imparts a great deal of insight into the characteristics of Asperger's
syndrome. The author is a journalist whose son was diagnosed with Asperger
syndrome at age ten.
Healthcare for Children on the Autism Spectrum. A Guide to Medical, Nutritional, and
Behavioral Issues. Fred R. Volkmar and Lisa A. Wiesner, 2004. 378 p.(ISBN 0-933149-97-2).
The challenge of raising a child with autism extends to medical care. Physical disorders
can have a negative effect on autistic children's development and behavior and autistic children may be more likely
to contract some disorders. Written by a child psychiatrist and a pediatrician who specialize in the treatment
of children with autism, this comprehensive guide focuses on communicating with your child's health care provider,
preparing your child for a doctor's visit, determining when a noncommunicative autistic child is in pain, emergency room
visits, seizure disorders, dental care and other medical challenges in parenting an autistic child. The book concludes
with a brief chapter on "dealing with insurance," a glossary, and a resource guide to organizations and websites.
Helping Children with Autism Learn. Treatment
Approaches for Parents and Professionals. Bryna Siegel. Oxford University
Press, 2007. 512 p. (ISBN 0-19-532506-0.)
"A guide to autistic learning disabilities
and finding the right method for your child's learning style." Directed
to parents as well as teachers and other developmental disability therapy
professionals. This helpful overview of autistic learning patterns and
treatments was written by a developmental psychologist who focuses her
work on autistic children and others with developmental disabilities. Dr.
Siegel recommends an individualized approach to the treatment and management
of autism symptoms, based on the child's individual characteristics. Her
writing displays a great deal of detailed understanding of the behavior
of autistic children and describes many practical suggestions for motivating
autistic children. Includes the Autistic Learning Disabilities Inventory.
A Mind Apart. Understanding Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome.
Peter Szatmari. Guilford Press, 2004. 210 p. (ISBN 1-59385-030-1 hardcover, ISBN 1-57230-544-4 paperback)
Sensitively told stories of Dr. Szatmari's unique young patients who have been
diagnosed with autism and Asperger Syndrome. Dr. Szatmari, who is head of the Division of Child Psychiatry at McMaster University in Canada,
uses case histories to incorporate explanations of the symptoms and treatment for
these diagnoses. In many narratives, parents learn of their child's diagnosis for the first time. He assures parents
and readers that although children with autism "use a secret language to communicate" and "see the world from
a unique perspective," they are "still children."
Oasis Guide to Asperger Syndrome. Patricia
Romanowski Bashe and Barbara L. Kirby. Crown Publishers, 2005. 512 p. (ISBN
1-4000-8152-1).
Sparked by information gleaned from a parent-initiated
website begun by the authors, this practical guidebook includes chapters
on medication, Asperger syndrome behaviors, school experiences, parent
advocacy, and social life. It includes helpful quotes from parents of children
with Asperger syndrome and from adults with Asperger syndrome.
The
Oasis website (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support) is
a continuing source of background information on Asperger syndrome as well
as current research and upcoming conferences.
Parenting Your Asperger Child. Individualized Solutions for Teaching Your Child
Practical Skills. Alan Sohn and Cathy Grayson. Perigree Books, 2005. 288 p. (ISBN
0-399-53070-3).
An excellent, down-to-earth guide to parenting children with Asperger Syndrome
and helping them
to adjust their behavior and social responses to the world outside their individual focuses. Written by a psychologist
and a special education teacher/consultant with a great deal of practical experience helping children with Asperger
Syndrome.
The book recommends adapting parental styles to the type of Asperger a child exhibits. Includes many specific
recommendations and dialogs for dealing with difficult childhood and adolescent behaviors.
A Parent's Guide to Asperger Syndrome and
High-Functioning Autism. Sally Ozonoff, Geraldine Dawson, and James
McPartland. Guilford Press, 2002. 278 p. (ISBN 1-57230-767-6 hardcover,
ISBN 1-57230-531-2 paperback)
Written by psychologists who specialize in
the diagnosis and treatment of autism, this is a detailed, clearly written
introduction to the characteristics of Asperger syndrome, its causes, and
treatments. There is a great deal of practical information to guide parents
in acting as their child's advocate. The book includes many strategies
for dealing with difficult situations at home and school.
Quirky Kids. Perri Klass and Eileen
Costello. Ballantine Books, 2004. 400 p. (ISBN 0-345-45143-0 paperback).
Pediatricians and mothers Perri Klass and
Eileen Costello have written a warm, compassionate, and realistic guide
to parenting children with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders,
pervasive developmental disorder, sensory integration dysfunction, Asperger's
syndrome, attention deficit disorder, and others. Rather than focus on
the characteristics of individual diagnoses, they discuss, in practical
terms, the challenges of making friends, coping at school, completing homework,
eating at restaurants, etc. that especially impact these children. The
text is interspersed with honest, relevant anecdotes from parents who have
faced and, sometimes, successfully helped their children overcome specific
social, educational, and behavioral challenges. The concluding part of
the book focuses on medications, therapies, genetics, and associated conditions.There
is an index and an extensive bibliography.
WEBSITE
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
Information on autism treatments with summaries of research
confirming their effectiveness. Descriptions of types of autism service providers and educators.
Back
to Contents
Organizations
and Agencies That May Help
CONNECTICUT
Advocacy
Unlimited, Inc.
A Connecticut-based mental health educational and
advocacy organization directed by individuals currently or formerly experiencing
psychiatric disabilities. The organization's Advocacy Education Program provides extensive
training in community advocacy. Provides peer support networks and frequent
workshops and speakers around the state. Phone (860) 667-0460 or 1-800-573-6929
(toll-free in Connecticut).
Connecticut
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services' website
has information on how to find services within Connecticut towns,
including 24-hour crisis intervention programs.
The Department's website has an online resource guide to other advocacy and support organizations
as well as information about clients' rights officers
and legal rights officers. These are found in the "advocacy and support" area of the website.
INFOLINE
directory of community services.
Callers to Infoline's statewide toll-free numbers (211
or 1-800-203-1234) will be directed to appropriate service agencies and
organizations. It is a "public/private partnership of United Way and the State of Connecticut."
Available 24 hours a day every day of the year.
Connecticut
Network of Care for Mental Health
Website provides a directory of Connecticut and national mental health resources.
Searchable by category, name of agency, and keyword. Information on specific mental health disorders in the website's
"Library" section. Fact sheets available in number of languages. Funded by a partnership of state of Connecticut
agencies and private social service organizations. Updated monthly.
Mental Health
Association of Connecticut, Inc.
20-30 Beaver Road Wethersfield, Connecticut
06109. Phone:(860)529-1970.Toll-free number in Connecticut: 1-800-842-1501.
Information and referral organization for
Connecticut residents and families. Provides access to referrals to mental
health clinics and private practitioners. Sponsors support groups around
the state.
The self-help directory: a guide to Connecticut
and national groups. annual. New Haven, CT. Connecticut Self-Help/Mutual
Support Network.
An annual guide to local and national support
groups, many health-related. Includes groups that focus on addiction/dependencies,
mental health, parenting/families. Phone (203) 624-6982 for updated information.
Programs that help people in Connecticut.
Benefits Available/Who is Eligible/ Where to Go.
Annual booklet produced by Northeast Utilities
and the Connecticut Association for Human Services.
Overview of federal, state, and local programs
that provide assistance to Connecticut residents. Includes details on health
programs.
Write to Northeast Utilities Community Relations,
Box 270, Hartford CT 06101-8362 or contact Connecticut Association for
Human Services, 110 Bartholomew Avenue, Hartford CT 06106-2232,phone (860)
951-2212.
You may download this publication from the
website of the Connecticut
Association for Human Services. The publication is available in Spanish
on the website as well as English.
State Mental Health Resources for Connecticut
A searchable online directory of mental health services, resources, and facilities within
Connecticut. Includes descriptions of services and contact information. Part of the national Mental Health Services
Locator from the website of the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
NATIONAL
American Academy
of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Website of the professional association of
child and adolescent psychiatrists. "Facts for Families" section of the
website links to brief fact sheets on topics such as depression in children,
conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, mental health insurance, children and grief. The fact sheets
are available in Spanish and Polish as well
as English. There are a limited number of fact sheets in other languages.
Searchable by keyword, they are also listed alphabetically by keyword, and numerically.
American Psychiatric
Association
The American Psychiatric Association is a
national medical specialty society whose more than 40,000 physician members
specialize in the "diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses
and substance use disorders." Website provides brief "Let's Talk Facts" brochures
for patients and families about mental health topics.
American
Psychological Association
National professional association of psychologists.
The "Help Center " on the Association's website focuses on assisting patients.
Includes articles on family and relationships, eating disorders, resilience in a time of war,
and related topics. Some articles are available in Spanish.
Mental
Health America
Advocacy, research and education organization.
By selecting "Information" on the organization's website,
you can access online fact sheets on a variety of mental health topics. Many are
available in Spanish as well as English. Select
"Affliate Network" for links to contact information for affiliate organizations
in Connecticut and other states.
National Alliance
for the Mentally Ill
NAMI is a national, self-help support and
advocacy organization of patients, families, and friends of people with
mental illness. Founded by families of patients in 1980. Click on "Find
Support" to access information about state affiliates, including support
groups in Connecticut and other states, and the NAMI Information Helpline. Spanish
language resources are included. Information and Referral Service Helpline
staffed by trained volunteers.1-800-950-NAMI (6264) (M-F, 10am-6pm, Eastern
time). When you contact the Helpline, volunteers are available to provide
general information on mental illnesses, and referrals to local NAMI support
groups (but not to physicians).
National
Institute of Mental Health
From the federal government website. "Mental Health
Topics" section leads to information about anxiety disorders, autism,
bipolar disorder, and other diagnoses. Some publications are available in Spanish. "Clinical Trials" hyperlink leads
to details about mental health-related clinical trials currently recruiting additional subjects.
Mental
Back
to Contents
Legal Resources
Connecticut
Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
60-B Weston Street, Hartford, CT 06120-1551.
Phone: 860-297-4300 Toll-free phone number:800-842-7303(Statewide).
"Independent state agency" mandated to protect and advocate for the rights
of people with mental illnesses. Under "Publications and Booklets," there is an online
document with information on "Access to Your Medical Records," and "Your
Rights in a Psychiatric Institution." Select "Legislative Information" for an updated
report on relevant Connecticut legislation.
General
Statutes of Connecticut.
Official website for the laws of the state
of Connecticut, on the Connecticut General Assembly website. Title 17 includes
laws regarding the functions and rules of the Connecticut Department of
Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Connecticut
Parent Advocacy Center
Provides advice for parents of children
with disabilities regarding educational opportunities, legal rights, and
resources. "What's News?" section often provides updates on federal and state
legislation related to disabilities.
Legal Support from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
The NAMI Legal Center advocates
for mental health services and individuals with mental illnesses but does
not provide legal representation for individuals. They do provide a lawyer
referral service (phone 703-524-7600) and technical assistance to attorneys
representing individuals with mental illnesses.
Rights of People with Mental Illness in Connecticut.
From the website of Advocacy Unlimited, Inc.
, this booklet was written by Yale law student
Carl Riehl with assistance from Attorneys Edward Mattison and
Thomas Behrendt.
In question-and-answer format, it describes the
legal rights of adults diagnosed with mental illness
and currently being treated as inpatients in a Connecticut psychiatric
institution. Also included is some information about rights of individuals with mental illness who are not inpatients.
List of sources for additional assistance and information. Published 2000-2001.
Back
to Contents
News about Mental Health Research
"How
to be an Educated Consumer of Mental Health News"
Brief, informative article written for the
consumer, on the website of the New York University Child Study Center.
The article discusses how to evaluate different types of research studies.
Health
News Websites
"Reliable online medical news sources" recommended
by Healthnet: Connecticut
Consumer Health Information Network. Direct hyperlinks to news websites. Includes medical news sources
with daily or weekly email delivery.
ClinicalTrials.gov
A listing of current clinical trials on mental
disorders, many in the process of recruiting participants. Published by
the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Browse "behaviors and mental disorders"
area after selecting "list by condition." The advanced search area allows the searcher to specify the
state in which the study is being conducted and other details.
Search results include a summary of study plans and details, criteria for participation, location of research
site, and contact information.
National Institute of Mental
Health
News reports and press releases about mental health research, accessible
by topic or by date.
New York Times "Mental
Health and Disorders" articles
Links to current and past articles on mental health that have
appeared in the New York Times, arranged chronologically beginning with the most recent articles.
Reuters
Health Information Service
Daily medical research news articles for the
consumer (free) and for the professional (subscription fee). Three articles
are available at no charge from the professional section of the website
each day. Includes citations to the medical journal articles discussed.
Back to Contents
Searching for additional information
Consult the Reference Librarian at your public
library for assistance in finding information about your diagnosis or general
mental health topics. If your library cannot provide the information you
request, you or the librarian, if located in Connecticut, may contact
Healthnet:
Connecticut Consumer Health Information Network at the University of
Connecticut Health Center Library for a customized information search in
the medical library that focuses on your specific questions.
This resource guide was compiled by Judith
Kronick, Healthnet Reference Librarian.
If you would like to recommend a resource
for this list, please contact kronick@uchc.edu.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
 |
|
|