Anxiety and Depression: How to Help

Anxiety and Depression is an essential text for all parents, carers and teachers of young people who suffer with anxiety and depression. This accessible guide provides practical solutions to the ways in which parents, carers and teachers can help. The book shows how parents and professionals can successfully collaborate to achieve positive outcomes.

The book uses anonymous case studies to explore a range of presentations of anxiety and depression and describes real-life supportive approaches to help assist recovery. The book also covers specific disorders including: phobias, social anxiety, separation anxiety, panic attacks, GAD, OCD, PTSD, school anxiety, low mood and clinical depression.

For parents and carers of children and young people living with anxiety and/or depression; teachers, teaching assistants, educational psychologists, school senior management teams and other education professionals; support groups; youth workers, group leaders and others interested in the socio-emotional development of young people.

Table of Contents

Series Preface

About the Author

Author’s Preface

How to Use This Book

1. What are anxiety and depression?
2. Prevalence and provision
3. Causes and consequences
4. Identifying problems at home and in school; Ten key things to know about anxiety and depression
5. Where to begin
6. Talking about difficult feelings
7. Strategies for coping and general wellbeing
8. Physical wellbeing and self-care
9. Mental well-being and self-care
10. Challenging unhelpful thoughts
11. Recognising avoidant behaviours
12. The school environment and culture
13. In the classroom
14. Types of anxiety and when to seek help
15. Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
16. Panic attacks
17. Separation anxiety
18. Social anxiety
19. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
20. Specific phobias
21. School anxiety
22. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
23. OCD-related disorders
24. The teenage brain and mood difficulties
25. Depression and low mood
26. Specific strategies for depression
27. Summary
28. A last word to parents and carers
29. A last word to teachers and schools