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"Parents aren't the cause of ADHD, but they are part of the solution." (Kenny Handleman, M.D.)

Children fare better when expectations on them are clear and firm.

"Moody" and "unpredictable" are adjectives parents will often use when referring to their teenagers.

Many clinicians find it easier to tell parents their child has a brain-based disorder than suggest parenting changes. Jennifer Harris (psychiatrist)

Some hope their children will be like sponges soaking up the truth and wisdom imparted by their parents. However appealing this philosophy might be, it seldom seems to catch on with their children.

Removing a child from a traumatic environment does not remove the trauma from the child's memory.

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

"Unexpressed feeling never die. They are buried alive and come back later in ugly ways." (Stephen Covey)

Adolescence can be the cruelest place on earth. It can really be heartless.  ( Tori Amos)

"To be a man, a boy must see a man."  (J.R. Moehringer)

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Depression in Young People

The recent death of Robin Williams by an apparent suicide has once again brought the issue of depression to the forefront. 20 years ago depression was not diagnosed in young people. Today, experts recognize that it affects a significant percentage of  preteens and teens.

Depression is not:

  • a sign of weakness
  • a punishment for past wrongs
  • a flaw in a person’s character or personality
  • the young person’s fault

It is an illness that results in:

  • emotional changes
  • physical changes
  • cognitive changes
  • behavioural changes

There is no definitive diagnostic test for depression. Diagnosis is made by “talking” to people. “Talking” is not a great way to diagnose and illness, but it is all the psychiatrist has.

Depression in adults is relatively easy to diagnose:

  • there is a pronounced change in mood
  • the mood persists
  • adults usually acknowledge the problem
  • adults have some mature insights
  • they are usually motivated to “fix” it

Depression in young people is harder to diagnose:

  • is she depressed or just being a teenager?
  • he cycles frequently: depressed, happy, depressed, happy  . .
  • rarely asks to see a psychiatrist
  • usually reluctant to see a therapist
  • denies there is a problem

Depression in young people is probably under diagnosed and therefore untreated – causing much unnecessary misery

 

 

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Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

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+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

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+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

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+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

This workshop will present the facts, myths, misconceptions, controversy and […]

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Contact

2720 Rath Street, Putnam, Ontario
NOL 2BO

Phone: (519) 485-4678
Fax: (519) 485-0281

Email: info@rickharper.ca

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Parents' Comments

“We are foster parents who took in a 13 year old girl (going on 18!) and she ran us through the wringer. Rick helped us learn how to set limits that made the difference.”

(G.E. – Strathroy)