My Kind of Sad: What It's Like to Be Young and Depressed

Elizabeth Levin is chair of the Psychology Department at Laurentian
University.

My Kind of Sad is designed to help adolescents understand what normal
moodiness is, what it means to be depressed, and how to find help.

The book begins with a discussion of the history of mental illness and
the challenges of adolescence. Scowen points out that the adolescent
brain is still developing and it is this very process that may lead to
moodiness and irrational behaviour. She explores a variety of mood
disorders through chapters on depression, anxiety, panic, bipolar
disorder, eating disorders, self-mutilation, and suicide. The final
chapter looks at treatment options, different styles of therapy, side
effects of medication, and alternative therapies. Case studies are
presented throughout the book, and a list of resources and further
readings is also included.

My Kind of Sad is well written and clearly aimed at a teen audience.
The adolescent reader is respected and not talked down to. My only
criticism is that there are more toll-free numbers given for American
readers than for Canadian readers. Highly recommended.