Understanding the Mental Health Problems of Children and Adolescents

Kirstin Painter and Maria Scannapieco

definitions of mental health problems based on the new DSM-V
uses a systems of care approach that encourages creativity and flexibility on the part of the practitioner and the full engagement and participation of parents, educators, and other professionals in the child or adolescent's life
case studies illustrate both the symptoms and treatments of all disorders discussed
clear discussion of medications for each diagnosis and discussions of differential diagnoses

Understanding the Mental Health Problems of Children and Adolescents

Kirstin Painter and Maria Scannapieco

Description

This text is a practical guide to informed care for youth mental health. It presents the definition, etiology, steps for diagnosis, and evidence-based treatments for all of the major mental health problems commonly found in children and adolescents. The authors combine systems of care, social ecology, and strengths-based perspectives to create sensitive criteria for diagnoses and treatment plans that can achieve long-lasting improvements.

Each disorder is presented in two chapters. The first chapter discusses the DSM criteria, biological aspects of the disorder, differential diagnosing, and a case study applying the diagnostic criteria. The second chapter presents evidence-based treatments and medications and a discussion of the outcomes of the case study from the preceding chapter. This straightforward approach makes this book highly adaptable for the classroom and beyond.

Understanding the Mental Health Problems of Children and Adolescents

Kirstin Painter and Maria Scannapieco

Preface
Foreword by Kay Barkin
1. Introduction
2. Overview of Youth Development
3. Mental Health, Trauma and the Brain
4. Depressive Disorders
5. Treatment of Depressive Disorders
6. Anxious Disorders
7. Treatment of Anxious Disorders
8. Attention Deficit Disorder
9. Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder
10. Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder
11. Treatment of Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder
12. Bipolar Disorder
13. Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
14. Schizophrenia
15. Treatment of Schizophrenia
16. Substance Abuse Co-occurrence with Mental Health Issues
17. Children and Adolescents with Mental Illness and the Education System Appendix: Mental Health Websites Addressing Children and Adolescents

Understanding the Mental Health Problems of Children and Adolescents

Kirstin Painter and Maria Scannapieco

Author Information

Kirstin Painter (LCSW, PhD, University of Texas at Arlington) is the senior director of research for MHMR Tarrant and a research associate for the Center for Child Welfare in the School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington. Her area of research is child and adolescent mental health.

Maria Scannapieco (MSW, Temple University; PhD, University of Minnesota) is professor of social work at the University of Texas at Arlington. Over the course of her career she has done extensive research on working with children and adolescents and has published more than fifty articles on the topic.

Understanding the Mental Health Problems of Children and Adolescents

Kirstin Painter and Maria Scannapieco

Reviews and Awards

"This is a solid work and highlights important areas for understanding mental health problems in children and adolescents. The book's strengths are in the writing style and the linking of the knowledge chapters with the treatment chapters through case studies. For students new to the field of mental health, this book provides a solid grounding for understanding disorders and possible treatments." -Mary Ruffolo, University of Michigan

"Understanding Mental Health Problems of Children and Adolescents meets its overall goal and provides mental health professionals with high-quality information related to common mental health problems in children and adolescents and evidenced- based practices. Although it is not all-inclusive, this book successfully addresses a complicated topic in a comprehensive way. It could definitely be a valuable desktop resource for mental health professionals seeking information they need to act as advocates for children and adolescents with mental health disorders and their families." --Best Practices in Mental Health