A Straight Talking Introduction to Children's Mental Health Problems (second edition)

by Sami Timini

Rates of diagnosis of psychiatric disorders in children, such as depression, ADHD and autistic spectrum disorders, have shot up in recent years. So too has the prescription of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs and stimulants. Yet the diagnoses are based on weak science, questionable research and powerful financial incentives. In this updated edition of his powerful critique, consultant child psychiatrist Sami Timimi questions why Western societies routinely seek to manage children’s behaviour with dangerous medication. He offers a humane and child-centred alternative that is about understanding our children’s distress, not medicating it, and practical advice that all parents, carers and teachers will find helpful.

Genres: Psychology

Paperback

First published September 10, 2013

Reviews

[Marco]

A good primer on current psychiatric treatment for children, from a critical perspective.
My take is that currently people over the critical psychiatric corner are much more nuanced and down-to-earth in their views than their mainstream counterparts.

[Megan]

I really enjoyed this book. I am fascinated by the ever growing tradition of medicating the illness rather than working with and treating the condition. So it was really eye opening to understand the impacts of this in the mental health of children.