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4 Star Rating Scale.
A Parent's and Educator's Guidebook.
96 page book giving facts and details on ADHD. Good for parents and educators. Gives professionals deeper insight into causes and solutions for ADHD. Well documented, evidence based, and solution oriented.
What is behind the exponential rise in the diagnosis of
bipolar disorder in children over the past 10 years? Is medication the best form of treatment for children diagnosed with bipolar disorder? Is bipolar disorder a symptom of a breakdown in values of society, and is it a biological disease that should be medically treated? Is the
medical-model approach to bipolar disorder the most accurate explanation for the symptoms normally attributed to the disorder - Are there any repercussions from the extensive use of medication in the treatment of bipolar disorder in children? Is treatment with anticonvulsants and
atypical antipsychotics advisable in preteen
children?
Sharna Olfman has again edited a thought-provoking series of articles from well known psychiatrists, child psychiatrists,
psychologists and child-care experts in her new book
Bipolar Children. (2007) Thought provoking, well-documented details on the repercussions of over-reliance on medication for
ADHD,
bipolar disorder and
depression. It also documents how over-reliance on
antidepressants and
stimulant medication can often times lead to the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Children is one of the best books that have been written on the subject and is highly recommended for parents,
educators and
professionals in the mental health field.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
No Child Left Different -3 1/2 stars
edited by
Sharna Olfman
Dealing with child development, childhood disorders such as
bipolar disorder and
ADHD,
medications, media’s role, other topics.
A monumental, anchoring work with two chapters written by
Sharna Olfman, a Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Humanities at Point Park University, Pittsburgh. She teaches child development and directs the annual Childhood and Society Symposium.
With the increasing diagnosis of such disorders as
ADHD and
bipolar disorder in children, has come a marked increase in the use of powerful psychotropic drugs being prescribed for preschoolers up until the teenage years. Are such diagnosis valid, or are there other explanations and reasons for children’s psychological problems?
Sharna Olfman develops this theme, with two opening chapters and nine other qualified writers who elaborate on various aspects of children’s mental health,
medication, and other serious issues on the subject. Anyone in the field of mental health, special education or parents who are struggling with these issues with their own children, should read this book.
It points out not only the problems, but also gives ideas that can help to direct
parents and
children so as to avoid the pitfalls of the current mental health system, as well as to make
practical adjustments in life in orders to overcome the severity of symptoms, or other adjustments. Such topics as the nature of children’s mental health, the community,
pornography’s effect on mental health, a balanced look at the role of genetics, as well as a closer look at what is known as the “
medical model” of mental health, and it’s shortcomings. Dangers of psychotropic drugs are discussed, as well as the effects of
television,
video games and
movies, media violence, on mental health.
An article by Lawrence Diller, M.D., a behavioral-development pediatrician and family therapist, well known for his work in drugs for
ADHD such as
Ritalin, examines the issues involved on these subjects. Other articles are written by Michael Brody, a child and adult
psychiatrist in private practice and professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland; Mary Burke, a child psychiatrist in private practice who teaches at the California Pacific Medical Center and the Langley Porter Psychiatric Institution/University of California, San Francisco; Daniel Burston, Associate Professor of Psychology at Duquesne University Pittsburgh, Varda Burstyn, public policy consultant and cultural and political analyst; David Fenton a University professor and active environmentalist, Jane M. Healy, an
educational psychologist with postdoctoral work in neuropsychology.
Highly recommended!!
365 TV-Free Activities.
Saw book in 1st Grade classroom. Good ideas to keep
children
creative, engaged, and busy in positive activities.
Mommy, I'm Scared.
by Joanne Canto, Ph.D.
Excellent reference on the psychological effects of "scary"movies and children. From R-rated and slasher movies, to common horror movies like Jaws, to children's movies for young children such as Snow Whilte and the Seven Dwarves, Alice in Wonderland, and Little House on the Prairie???????
Believe it or not, Little House on the Prairie was judged to me one of the scariest TV shows of its time for children. Cantor explains and provides many clinical studies and scholarly references to prove her point.
This book explains in a balanced way how movies and television can effect the psychology of a child.
The Mislabeled Child - 3 Stars by Brock Eide and Fernette Eide
The system of labeling children is extremely flawed, according to this husband and wife medical team. Children are being inappropriately labeled, which leads to the next step of sometimes aggressive treatment with medication. What can be done to help children and address their needs, without this flawed system. A book of interest to all in the medical profession and for some parents as well.
Natural Prozac- 4 stars
Dr. Joel Robertson
Penguin Putnam
Written by psychologist from E. Lansing, MI, Joel Robertson, Ph.D. Natural Prozac gives detailed understanding into how brain chemistry effects mood, in simple, easy to understand terms. He demonstrates the connection between what we take in through our senses and the resulting brain chemistry and mood. It also shows the connection between the type of music we listen to and mood. Thought patterns become etched in our mind. What can be done in a natural way to overcome
depression.
Dr. Robertson lists many positive ways to deal with depression through prevention and
lifestyle changes. Dr. Robertson’s book is not just a pop-psychology, feel good about yourself book, it gives details on practical
lifestyle strategies that can do much to help a person
overcome depression. One of the best books yet on depression. Can also be of benefit for persons with
bipolar disorder.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
What Causes ADHD? - 3 1/2 stars
By Dr. Joel Nigg
Guilford Press, NY
Dr. Nigg is associate professor of psychology at University of Michigan. In his book, he examines 100s of trials and studies to discover the roots of
ADHD. He discusses the subject of the use of medication for the treatment of the symptoms of ADHD and the statistical increase of its use in the US in recent years. He gives support to the idea that ADHD is much more than a simple chemical imbalance but that there may be a combination of social, genetic, physical and lifestyle factors that contribute to the disorder. He also presents evidence that environmental contaminants such as lead poisoning may be responsible for some cases of ADHD.
Dr. Nigg's book is more scientifically oriented rather than an easy reading type of book. It provides a good foundation of understanding the true causes of ADHD and it is an excellent reference work that can help clinicians and professionals to build from for future studies. Anyone who is working in the field of ADHD in research should have this book. For the parent professional who wants a good reference for ADHD, or who already has some knowledge of the subject, it can be a good resource for reference. It is very thorough and one could safely say that Dr. Joel Nigg is a leading expert in the field of ADHD. Every library should also consider having this reference book in its shelves. It is a good reference for those who want to keep on top of the latest findings in the field.
The Myth of the ADHD Child - 3 Stars by Thomas Armstrong
Excellent history of
ADHD, 25 practical suggestions on how to overcome ADHD without medication. How labeling system produces arbitrary medical treatment of children.
The ADD & ADHD Question and Answer Book - 4 Stars
The Top 275 Questions Parents Ask
By Susan Ashley
Dr. Ashley is a child psychologist in California who works with children in her practice. She founded a children’s center there for that purpose and has many years of experience. Her book on
ADHD is also one of the better researched, supported and thorough books on the subject. It is recommended. She discusses what can be done practically for children, what can be accomplished within the school system. How the system works as far as special education goes, as well as realistically giving the benefits verses risks of medication for children with ADHD.
She takes the view that many
psychologists who have written on the subject have taken, that it would seem as if there is an over-reliance on
medications, that there are complications and that there is much that can be done with the exception of medication in most cases. (although not giving a blanket ban on medication in every situation.) It is in the top 3 or 4 books that have been written on the subject for parents. If your child has ADHD, you should buy this book and read it, keep it as a reference, or even share it with your doctor.
RECOMMENDED!!
Rethinking ADHD - 4 stars
Dr. Ruth Neven & Associates
Allen & Unwin
Rethinking ADHD was written by an Australian team of therapists and researchers and explores the thought of the
social dynamics behind ADHD, the overmedication of children, what is needed to help children overcome the problem of
attention deficit and what has happened in the field of mental health in recent years with respects to children, especially in relation to England and Australia.
It is probably one of the most insightful books into the causes of ADHD, and the
social issues that are part of the driving force of ADHD. It leans towards that view, that is the lack of social structure and family life that is causing many children to have attentional problems and that reliance or over-reliance on medication for children with ADHD is not the wisest course. Of all the books written on ADHD, this is one of the best, for a
parent or
educator.
The two books that one might consider on this subject are Dr. Neves and Associates, Dr. Susan Ashley s book on the subject and for clinicians and researchers, Dr. Nigg's book, What Causes ADHD, more of an excellent reference work. Dr. Ashley's book gives good guidance for parents in the US especially. But if someone is interested in doing research for themselves and their children, Rethinking ADHD is a must.
RECOMMENDED!!
Prozac Backlash - 3 stars
Dr. Joseph Glenmullen
Simon & Schuster
Dr. Glenmullen s book is written by a
psychiatrist who is said to have prescribed copious amounts of Prozac and other antidepressants in his practice for up to eight or more years. He started out as being very enthused about the use of Prozac and other
SSRIs, but in time came to find that what started out sweet often ended sour, and led to many long-term problems with his patients. He elaborates on this thought in his book Prozac Backlash, and highlights the idea that “
lifestyle changes” are what is necessary in order to cope and overcome
depression, in addition to, for some, talking things out and getting support. Some who may have had problems in childhood or other traumas may be in need of
therapy.
Dr. Glenmullen presents his thought and evidence that extended use of such mood altering drugs as Prozac, over long periods of time can damage the dendrite endings of brain cells, giving pictures to illustrate what can happen. It is a wakeup call for many who are on Prozac and other SSRIs, that the temporary use of
antidepressants should never become a lifestyle.
He recommends the use of Prozac and other SSRIs only as a temporary measure, 2-4 months at the most, for persons whose life might be in danger from
depression or
suicidal thoughts, as a preventive measure and bridge, while lifestyle issues are sorted through and a more comprehensive plan initiated. Dr. Glenmullen followed up with a second book on the subject that is designed for use between patients and their medical doctors, so as to be able to come off SSRIs gradually and in a controlled manner, while working on lifestyle changes.
Doctor Glenmullen gives rather convincing arguments in favor of this viewpoint on
antidepressants, much of it from his experience as a psychiatrist and in his use of SSRIs in his practice. At the same time, the one area this book falls short is in the offering of practical coping skills and positive measures to overcome depression. But as an impetus to come off antidepressants and to provide evidence of the need to do so, it is an excellent reference.
Also, The Antidepressant Solution by Dr. Glenmullen, describes how to gradually wean oneself off of antidepressants, overcome "addiction" to antidepressants, and to do it safely with one's doctor.
The Antidepressant Solution - 3 1/2 stars by Joseph Glenmullen
How to come off
antidepressants safely and gradually. Coming on and off antidepressants and switching medications often, can be taxing on the mind and potentially dangerous. Anyone trying to come off antidepressants should do so gradually over 6 months or a year.
Dr. Glennmullen's work is designed to help a person safely come off of antidepressants. He encourages the reader to share the information with his or her doctor and to work along with the doctor on the goal of coming off antidepressants. Other authorities have similarly encouraged coming of AD's gradually. This is true of any
psychotropic drug.
The 6 Most Important Decisions You Will Ever Make - A Guide for Teens
By Sean Covey - 3 1/2 Stars
Sean Covey writes a book from the heart, somewhat passionate for
teens. He guides teens through career choices. Gives an inspiring pep talk to attend and complete college, shows them the hows whys and wherefores of avoiding premarital sex,
pornography, drugs and drinking. How to successful get through teenage years as a virgin. The information on
pornography and drugs is excellent. If any parent is struggling with either of these two problems with their teens, it is good information to share with them.
Young people in school who looked through this book almost always looked first towards the section on dating and sex. It is pretty complete. Many young people are lost in direction on these matters, and Mr. Covey does a good job in putting a useful tool and inspirational book to help young people stay on the straight and narrow. It is not what you would say a religious oriented book, but it does espouse high principles.
It is heavy in graphics and illustrations and experiences. It diverges from some of the thoughts on this website with regards to
movies. Mr. Covey is something of a movie aficionado and gives his favorites list. In this opinion, it is not necessarily what teens need to hear at the present time, but with that in mind, Covey's book for teens does have good material for young people to digest and take home with them, especially with regards to
porn and drugs.
So Sexy So Soon - 4 Starsby Dianne Levin
Dianne Levin was a school teacher and for the past 25 years has taught up and coming teachers as a college professor. She has much experience with children on a personal and professional level. She wrote a book So Sexy So Soon, in which she documents the tremendous influence that the media can have on children and teens in the area of sex. She details how Bratz Dolls have supplanted Barbie Dolls, which themselves are an icon of stereotyped female beauty, and which are evolving in to more sexual forms as of today. Disney, she describes as "A Lion In Sheep's Clothing," stating that it projects an unrealistic sexuality with its Disney Princess empire and fairy tales in an effort to fully capitalize on consumerism as it relates to pre-teen girls. The popular Disney TV station is also very much involved, with High School Musical and some other programs which are ostensibly designed with older teens in mind, but the audience of which is largely 8 year olds and pre-teens.
Suicide among girls/teen girls increased about 70% in 2003-4, and the idealized perfection of stars of such programs, something unattainable for most or for anyone, contributes to a lack of self-esteem and to an increased rate of suicide. It is a by-product, rather than a direct correlation.
Sexual images in advertising and music videos, the easy accessiblity fo pornography, send a torrent of misinformation to the minds of children and teens. This can result in poor skills when entering marriage or other real relationships, marital dissatisfaction, and an attitude of sex without consequences or emotional attachment.
The positive side of this book, is the as much as Levin present the problems, she dwells on real-life solutions for both parents and educators, things that can work to form, what she hopes will be a campaign similar to the effective campaign against smoking years ago to the present. There are small suggestions that can help parents, and more sweeping suggestions targeted towards politicians.
The book expresses a certain "righteous indignation" against what is being targeted to children, it has one victory to show for its efforts, succeeding in undermining the marketing efforts of a major toy company to market a doll line based on the burlesque-like Pussycat Dolls directed to young children (Hasbro dropped the line before it went to market), but at the same time, there is nothing at all religious, sanctimonious or self-righteous about it. It is more like, a good mother mad that the neighborhood womanizer has targeted her daughter. Her solutions and advice to parents is pretty reasonable even a little on the permissive side. Parents, teachers and principals would do well to read this book. It gives much insight that can trickle down to the lives of more well-adjusted children and teens. Some of her observations on the media are extremely insightful and astute, such as on children's boredom and addiction to the media (TV, video games, movies, internet, etc.)
The Sexualization of Childhood - 3 1/2 Stars by Sharna Olfman
The Sexualization of Childhood
Edited by Sharna Olfman, (2008)
After finishing reading the last lines of the
Sexualization of Childhood, it took a long-deep breath to be able to stand up, and several days of semi-comatic shock to recover. I thought I had heard it all, but guess that I hadn't. I haven't had a sheltered life by any means, but what was related in this book was shocking. What is happening behind the scenes in the United States, Eastern Europe and other countries in the way of
pornography and the exploiting of children is beyond imagination.
That the
Internet is being used to such a large extent for pornography in such a short time that it has been in existence is remarkable. According to the statistics quoted in this book, 30% of all searches in Internet Search Engines are for pornography.
Look here for complete review:
Book on the rights of the mentally ill by lawyer and Associate Dean Elyn Saks, who also suffers with schizophrenia.
The Psychology of Baseball - 2 1/2 stars
by Mike Stadler
Inside the Mental Game of the Major League Player
Mike Stadler gives us a well researched look into the inner-mind workings of major league baseball from about every angle one could think of. He tends to dwell on the physics of baseball quite a bit, as far as the mind effects the actual pitch and hit. A 90 mile an hour fastball reaches the plate in about ½ a second. So it is quite phenomenal that a hitter can connect. More than any other sport, baseball is a mind-game, a game of waiting.
He speaks also of the somewhat violent act of throwing a ball by the pitcher, stating that about 25 pitchers have had “spontaneous fracture of the humeral shaft, through the act of throwing the ball, which more than throwing a dart, “must be done violently.” He also relates how fan bases are accumulated, how do you become a Yankees fan or a Mets fan? While we often times inherit our teams from our parents, or from the area in which we live and other factors.
See also page:
Sports Psychology.
He relates stories of sign-stealing and how baseball, more than any other sport is statisticized, put into numbers from every imaginable angle, dissecting patterns in every area imaginable. He also comments on the violence that might result from fans as a result of
professional sports, and the psychology of baseball fans in general.
All in all, The Psychology of Baseball was interesting, if you are a die-hard fan, or really, if you are a player, you might find it of interest. However, it got a little bogged down in statistics and wasn’t always easy reading. Many interesting facts and stats as well as insights. A good research book and reference.
