Trouble In My Head

Book: Trouble In My Head
Author: Mathilde Monaque
Pages: 156

At the age of 14, Mathilde develops a deep and crippling depression. She is an extremely bright young girl but can't seem to shake the terrible feelings and thoughts she is plagued with. Her parents admit her to a short-stay hospital where she tries to figure out what brought on the depression and how she will ever get through it.

Trouble In My Head is a well-written and accessible short memoir about a young girl battling depression and anorexia in a hospital setting. I would recommend picking up this book if you or anyone you know suffers from these conditions.

The link between eating disorders and depression:

• Why some people are at risk for eating disorders isn’t clear but surveys show that depression is often a factor.
• Depression may lead to eating disorders but there’s also evidence that eating disorders can result in depression. “Being severely underweight and malnourished, which is common in anorexia, can cause physiological changes that are known to negatively affect mood states,” says Lisa Lilenfeld, PhD.
• “People who develop eating disorders feel as people that they’re not good enough,” Sacker says. “They become obsessed with perfectionism. That perfectionism begins to focus on what they eat. But underlying it is depression and anxiety."

Sources:
WebMD

Crazy

Book: Crazy

Author: Amy Reed

Pages: 367

For Isabel, the highs are too high and the lows are too low.  After spending the summer working together at a summer camp, Isabel and Connor return to their homes and spend about 6 1/2 months talking over email.  During this time, Connor notices that something is severely wrong with the Isabel.  He realizes that Isabel has turned into a girl he no longer recognizes and her problems are too much for either of them to handle on their own.

Crazy is a remarkable book about Bipolar Disorder and the damaging effects it can have on people's lives and relationships if it goes untreated.

What is Bipolar Disorder?: 

Bipolar disorder is a serious brain illness. It is also called manic-depressive illness. Children with bipolar disorder go through unusual mood changes. Sometimes they feel very happy or "up," and are much more active than usual. This is called mania. And sometimes children with bipolar disorder feel very sad and "down," and are much less active than usual. This is called depression.

Bipolar disorder is not the same as the normal ups and downs every kid goes through. Bipolar symptoms are more powerful than that. The illness can make it hard for a child to do well in school or get along with friends and family members. The illness can also be dangerous. Some young people with bipolar disorder try to hurt themselves or attempt suicide. With treatment, children and teens can manage their symptoms and lead successful lives.

Sources:

What is Bipolar Disorder? 

Butter

Book: Butter
Author: Erin Jade Lange
Pages: 316

If a story about a kid who plans to kill himself by eating and do it all on the internet doesn't peak your interest, then there's something wrong with you (or maybe it's the other way around...) Regardless, Butter is a story that will suck you in until the very last page. In a way, as a reader I almost feel as though I was no better than Butter's bullies, wanting to know whether or not he was actually going to go through with his sinister plan. Not only is Butter an intriguing story, but it deals with some pretty tough topics. I felt as though Butter's peers didn't react in a very realistic manner. After thinking about it, I realize I may unfortunately be wrong. I have taught in a high school and let's face it, teenagers can be harsh. Add in the invisibility of the internet now-a-days and you've got a recipe for disaster.

Bullying on the internet has increased majorly the last few years and we've seen the consequences it can bring to the victims. People use their internet avatars as something to hide behind (Butter is responsible for doing this as well) and they turn into people they would never be in the real world. However, I hate to think any teenager would egg a kid on who might kill himself, whether or not they thought he was going to go through with it or not. Other than this slight unrealistic aspect of the plot, Lange deals with weight issues, self-image problems, depression, suicide, addiction, personal responsibility, and relationships in a very constructive way. You finish the book feeling as though you learned something and may be a better person because of it.

Questions:
Have you ever been bullied on the internet or bullied someone esle?
Have you found that the anonymity of the internet can be used in a negative way?

The Bell Jar

Book: The Bell Jar
Author: Sylvia Plath
Pages: 288

Set in the 1950's, The Bell Jar is the story of the gifted, extremely intelligent, and young college graduate named Esther Greenwood. Esther spends some time interning as an editor at a magazine company in New York and afterwards experiences a psychological breakdown. She returns to her mother's suburban home but feels as though this world is just as superficial as her previous one. She finds herself unable to write and wonders if she will ever have a fulfilling life. Slowly Esther descends into a deep and suicidal depression that overtakes her entire body. She is placed in a psychiatric hospital where she undergoes electric shock therapy and continues her struggle with mental illness.    

Information about suicide:

• Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surpassed only by accidents and homicide.
• Studies show that 4 out of 5 teen suicide attempts have been preceded by clear warning signs. These warning signs include: disinterest in favorite activities, problems at work, behavioral problems, substance abuse, declining grades, changes in sleep and eating habits, neglectful of hygiene, and withdrawing from family and friends.
• According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL): 19.3 percent of high school students have seriously considered killing themselves, 14.5 percent of high school students made actual plans for committing suicide, and 900,000 youth planned their suicides during an episode of major depression.

Sources:
About Teen Suicide
Teen Suicide

Speak

Book: Speak
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Pages: 198

Speak is the story of a high school freshman girl, Melinda, who has been through a traumatic event. However, she is not able to tell anyone about what happened to her. Her friends abandon her and Melinda becomes completely isolated and alienated. Her grades start to suffer and she stops talking in class. What happened to Melinda and what will happen to her?

Information about teenage alienation:

• Adolescents are the most frequent victims of feelings of alienation.

• The alienation often associated with the adolescent quest for identity commonly involves a distrust of adults, a rejection of their values, and a pessimistic world view.

• Teenage alienation is viewed as pathological if it accompanies serious psychological disorders, such as phobias and obsessions.

Sources:
Alienation Information

Questions:
Have you ever felt alienated or alone? How do you cope with these feelings?
How can you help someone else who seems to be alienating themselves?

Cut

Book: Cut 
Author: Patricia McCormick 
Pages: 160
 
Cut revolves around a 15-year-old girl named Callie. She's a high school student on track and seems pretty normal, except for the cuts she has on her arms. When the school nurse notices, Callie is sent to a psychological treatment facility where she refuses to speak to anyone until she meets Amanda.

Information about self-harm:

• Self-cutting is a form of intentional self-injury and self-mutilation, without the intent of suicide. 
• Cutting is most prevalent amount adolescent girls. 
• Cutting is the most common method of self-injury and is often done repetitively. 
• Treatment options for self-cutting problems include individual therapy, group therapy, medication (anti-depressants), and in-patient hospitalization

Sources:
Adolescents and Self-Cutting

Waiting for You

Book: Waiting for You 
Author: Susane Colasanti 
Pages: 336

This books centers around Marisa, a high school girl battling anxiety and depression. She is experiencing the ups and downs of her first relationship while her parents are on the verge of a divorce. Will Marissa continue waiting to fit in and find the one for her or will she take control of her life and learn to let go of her fears?

Facts about anxiety disorders: 

• Anxiety disorders are the most common of all the mental disorders. They affect an estimated 8 to 10 of every 100 children and adolescents. 
• Different types of anxiety disorders include phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.       
• How to fight anxiety:
  • Relaxation: The most effective and natural way to fight anxiety is to relax your mind and body. Yoga, meditation, daily walks, or just putting on your iPod and listening to your favorite music can help relax your mind and body.
  • Follow a timetable for sleep: Good sleep can cure anxiety better than any medicine. Daily activities can help you enjoy a good sleep every night.
  • Be optimistic: Pessimism can be a main cause of anxiety. Having an optimistic mindset can help a person fight anxiety.
  • Don't use drugs: Though you may feel that using alcohol and drugs relax you, they actually do the opposite. Alcohol and drug abuse can increase anxiety issues in the long run.
  • Consult a professional: If you have difficulty controlling your anxiety with these suggestions, it is a good idea to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist. He/she may also prescribe medicine which can help with anxiety disorders.

Sources:
Adolescent Anxiety --Impact of Anxiety in Teens
Focus Adolescent Services