BOOK REVIEW
August 2003
Recovering From Depression: A Workbook for Teens
by Mary Ellen Copeland and Stuart Copans ( Revised Edition, 2002)
Reviewed by: Jackie Stinton, Ph.D., C.Psyc.
Life is precious; even a life “wellness tools”. Important good help, and being provided with
dominated by depression and filled components include recognizing specific information about
with despair and hopelessness. triggers of depression, strategies appropriate care from help care
Young life, with its unreached for reducing stress, developing providers, will hopefully empower
potential and yet-to-be realized dreams and goals, dealing with them to trust and evaluate the help
fullness, is particularly precious, suicidal thoughts and feelings, they do seek. In addition, the
and is all the more incentive for building safety plans, monitoring authors’ clear and simple
individual and collective moods, managing medications, and explanation of biochemical and
intervention when a young person accessing suitable peer brain processes and factors
is in the throes of depression. That counselling. Specific wellness affecting these, will contribute to a
is why the book, Recovering from strategies incorporate healthy broader understanding of the
Depression: A Workbook for living patterns (sleep, diet, biophysiological basis of
Teens, written by well-respected exercise), trigger lists (rejection, depression. This information will
and knowledgeable authors, is a conflict, anniversaries of losses), hopefully minimize the self-blame
valuable asset in working with warning signs (negative thoughts, or blame from others that the teen
depression in young people. irritability, weeping), maintenance is the sole cause of his/her
activities (contact with friends, depression, and refute a common
The title of the book itself, journalling, pleasurable activities), response to the depressed one that
Recovering from Depression, gives and managing medication “you just need to snap out of it”.
the helpful implicit assumption that (reporting side effects, eliminating
working through depression is a alcohol, consulting physician for These topics are covered in an easy
process - a process of recovery - dosage changes). to read and informative manner,
rather than a quick fix or a avoiding simplistic clichés or
single solution. Of particular note, the authors have unrealistically positive promises,
provided important and specific and providing practical information
The authors have considered a information on topics usually not and strategies for dealing with the
spectrum of issues relating to addressed, for example, including a different issues. Simple graphics
depression: symptoms of section entitled “Bad Treatment used to highlight headings of
depression, medication, substance from Health Care Providers.” ‘information’, ‘questions to
abuse, counselling, self-esteem, When teens are vulnerable, they answer’, ‘things to do’, ‘things
suicide prevention, formulating a need to know that not all help is
safety plan, and developing
Centre for Suicide Prevention
Suicide Information and Education Collection (SIEC)
#320, 1202 Centre Street SE
Calgary, Alberta T2G 5A5
Phone: 403-245-3900 Fax: 403-245-0299 E-Mail: siec@suicideinfo.ca
Recovering From Depression: A Workbook for Teens
Reviewed by Jackie Stinton, Ph.D., C.Psyc.
Page Two States. The list given however, does withdrawal and isolation. Finally, the
to remember’, and ‘next steps’, suggest the universal nature of most serious aspect of depression is
provide consistency in format and easy depression, and the need for essential that of suicidal ideation and/or suicide
referencing. Examples set off in intervention services. attempts. Straightforward information
highlighted boxes seem realistic if on this topic is given. But the advice
occasionally somewhat optimistic. An interesting note is that the authors to ‘deal with depression when you first
request feedback on the usefulness of notice early warning signs rather than
The format of the book is intentionally their book - suggesting they too are when the symptoms have gotten very
designed to allow each reader to open to learning more from those who severe’ - must be considered against
choose topics most relevant to them, experience the struggle of depression. the reality that few teens are self-
and to read the chapters in the order An encouraging sign indeed - experts aware enough in a depressed state to
most suited to them. At the end of in their field who want to learn from accurately monitor their descent into
each chapter is a helpful reference to experts in their experiences. the darkness of depression.
the next relevant section. The authors Intervention from others is the
recommend that the reader work at his/ A teen struggling with the confusion essential component here.
her own pace, recognizing that some and perceived shame of depression,
of the information will be painful and feeling isolated and misunderstood, In summary, Recovering from
difficult to read when one is in the grip will find this book normalizes and is Depression: A Workbook for Teens, is
of depression. The inclusion of respectful about the difficulties of a useful, practical and teen-respecting
checklists, surveys (e.g. depression. This book does much to book on teenage depression, beneficial
comprehensive depression survey), de-stigmatize the experience of for the mild to moderately depressed
questions, and activities strategically depression in teenagers, and portrays teen, for parents wanting to understand
placed within the context of the constructive steps to great emotional teen depression, and as an adjunct to
particular issues will draw the reader well-being. This approach should give professional counselling. Facilitating
in, allowing reflection on material the teen a sense of hope that and encouraging the emotional well-
read, as well as the personalizing of it. depression can be managed with being of a young person caught in
Personalizing the material facilitates appropriate intervention. depression is an endeavour we all need
the learning process, and will likely to be invested in. This book will help
help the reader to take more specific A few cautions need to be expressed. in that investment.
action as he/she ‘claims’ the strategies For those teens who have mild to
as their own. moderate depression, are self- k
motivated and willing to work on their Dr. Stinton is in private practice in
This book is publicized as being “ideal depression, this book will be a useful Calgary, Alberta.
for teens, parents, friends and tool on their journey. Those teens
professionals who care about them” however, who are more severely
and contains appendices of depressed, who consequently lack
“information for parents” and motivation and initiative, will likely
“information for friends”. The not access this book and need
practical, matter of fact and professional intervention as a priority.
nonjudgmental presentation of this As well, although the authors
material should help to allay the sense repeatedly suggest interaction with
of fear or helplessness often felt in peers and supportive family, and offer
tips on building a support system, Recovering From Depression:
dealing with teenage depression. The
realistic thinking must temper the A Workbook for Teens
information provided on additional
resources, hotlines, and agencies is expectation that the teen has the ISBN: 1-55766-592-3
less useful as they apply to the United capacity to do this, as significant Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
factors in depression are social www.brookespublishing.com
Centre for Suicide Prevention
Suicide Information and Education Collection (SIEC)
#320, 1202 Centre Street SE
Calgary, Alberta T2G 5A5
Phone: 403-245-3900 Fax: 403-245-0299 E-Mail: siec@suicideinfo.ca