Recommend a book to teach my teenager logic and clear thinking

[Tinker Grey]

Actually, I too deal with somebody who is suffering from a mental disorder. I have read a little about their problem and maybe you can give me some insight.

As far as I know, no professional can or will say that the disorder is caused by the chemical imbalance OR if the chemical imbalance is caused the disorder.

Of course I can't categorically state the case one way or the other. My daughter was born this way. That is, from the moment a personality could be discerned we were aware she had the problems that she has today. The only difference is that through counseling and research we been somewhat able to inculcate coping mechanisms. (My goal with these books would be to add to her toolbox.)

I myself went through a depressive episode coupled with panic attacks. As far as I can tell, there were no circumstances that should have induced this in me. Medication did bring me back in balance. So anecdotally, there was nothing I could change about my attitude or something else that would fix it. The meds did.

So far as I know, there is no evidence that a bi-polar or a schizophrenic diagnosis can be reversed. Period. Self-help gurus may claim otherwise, but there is nothing in my experience that would give me hope that they are right and science is wrong.

Last I read and heard is that nobody knows for sure or is willing to put solid opinion out to it.

I'm not sure, but I'd lay odds at this point that chemical balance causes the disorder.

This book doesn't point a finger to it being anyones fault but the way you look at things and what you tell yourself. I found it powerful.

I'm glad that it worked for you. I don't know about the book pointing a finger. However, that of the two negative reviews that referred to mental disorders at least one (working from memory) said he suffered from bi-polar disorder. The other expressed outrage in a way that reminded me of episodes I've witnessed. Between the two, it's enough to wave me off.

All I know is that it is a rough road for those who live with them and love them.

Pardon my language, but damn straight.

 

[Tinker Grey]

I doubt a book alone will be enough. I think you'll want to take some case studies and talk about them together. It's hard to learn a skill without trying it out, unless your learning style is unusual.

The Kida book has come in. I've read the introduction and it is promising. It sounds as if there will be plenty of examples.

If my daughter is open to further study, I'll certainly look into it. Thanks.

 

[JacksBratt]

I doubt a book alone will be enough. I think you'll want to take some case studies and talk about them together. It's hard to learn a skill without trying it out, unless your learning style is unusual.

Books alone are never enough, you are right.

 

[Received]

Actually (and this is my therapist side coming out), if you want to help them be more logical, it would probably help a lot to get them to manage their emotions, i.e., increase emotional intelligence (not just abstract intelligence). That way they can clear the clouds of emotion and find reason more palatable and easy to follow. No books come to mind, though. Looking up cognitive distortions and thinking errors, as well as basic cognitive-behavioral therapy stuff (understanding the connection between thoughts and feelings), assertive communication, and emotion regulation techniques (such as controlled breathing, mindfulness, time out, etc.) could be helpful.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Actually (and this is my therapist side coming out), if you want to help them be more logical, it would probably help a lot to get them to manage their emotions, i.e., increase emotional intelligence (not just abstract intelligence). That way they can clear the clouds of emotion and find reason more palatable and easy to follow. No books come to mind, though.

Thanks. I believe counseling, etc., is covering a lot of this. If a book does come to mind, please let me know.

Looking up cognitive distortions and thinking errors, as well as basic cognitive-behavioral therapy stuff (understanding the connection between thoughts and feelings), assertive communication, and emotion regulation techniques (such as controlled breathing, mindfulness, time out, etc.) could be helpful.

I am hoping that these books will help with the thinking errors and add to her tools for dealing with emotions. She has a list of coping skills like breathing. So I just want to add to that.

 

[Received]

Thanks. I believe counseling, etc., is covering a lot of this. If a book does come to mind, please let me know.



I am hoping that these books will help with the thinking errors and add to her tools for dealing with emotions. She has a list of coping skills like breathing. So I just want to add to that.

Then let me highly, highly recommend mindfulness meditation. Recordings such as these are top notch and done by actual professionals:

Audio Recordings ? School of Medicine at the University of Virginia

For books, I'd recommend "The Mindful Way Through Depression" or "The Mindful Way Through Anxiety" depending on which (if any) apply more.

Mindfulness is just fantastic, but it takes 5-10 minutes a day minimum of practice, which you'll find easy once you experience your first moments of true mindfulness. It's not just a sitting meditation or formal practice, but also something you do every moment of every day.

Sam Harris actually just released a book that covers it, with "Waking Up", and being the good scientist he has a good summary of the research benefits for lots of things.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Wow. Thanks. I'll discuss it with my spouse. She may find it a bit more up her alley. It does sound like a suitable augmentation to what we do. A more daily practice might be very useful.

 

[dms1972]

Forgive me for interjecting a note of caution - I am not an expert but I did read your daughter is christian and some (i don't know about all) mindfulness is based on Eastern principles. My concern there would be that there could be a conflict between her christian spirituality and the Eastern spirituality.

I mention it because I had been listening to some Audio online a few days ago, and interestingly it was about CG Jung the psychiatrist and he had said there were dangers inherent for Westerners getting into Eastern meditation. I think the issue is due to the influence of Aristotle on the Western psyche, and that Eastern civilisations are considerably older (and Jung thought that the maturity needed for meditation wasn't common to Westerners). Sorry I am not well up on it, but thats the gist of what I understood him to have thought

Jung interestingly enough at times didn't take on christians who came to him for treatment, therapy - because spiritually not compatible.

I have been for some CBT therapy and hospitals do now tend to screen patients before comencing a particular therapy to make sure the therapy is suitable.

It not a case of one size fits all.

 

[Received]

Forgive me for interjecting a note of caution - I am not an expert but I did read your daughter is christian and some (i don't know about all) mindfulness is based on Eastern principles. My concern there would be that there could be a conflict between her christian spirituality and the Eastern spirituality.

I mention it because I had been listening to some Audio online a few days ago, and interestingly it was about CG Jung the psychiatrist and he had said there were dangers inherent for Westerners getting into Eastern meditation. I think the issue is due to the influence of Aristotle on the Western psyche, and that Eastern civilisations are considerably older (and Jung thought that the maturity needed for meditation wasn't common to Westerners). Sorry I am not well up on it, but thats the gist of what I understood him to have thought

Jung interestingly enough at times didn't take on christians who came to him for treatment, therapy - because spiritually not compatible.

I have been for some CBT therapy and hospitals do now tend to screen patients before comencing a particular therapy to make sure the therapy is suitable.

It not a case of one size fits all.

Mindfulness (in terms of what I'm recommending) is based on Eastern principles in the same way that really paying attention to something is based on Eastern principles. That's what mindfulness essentially is: paying non-judgmental attention. That isn't Eastern; that's human. It does have an Eastern feel provided that you're putting religious symbolism as part of the deal, which nobody in the psychological (including therapy) sciences considers. It's purely a secular practice.

 

[brinny]

I don't have any suggestions, but i hope that you find some helpful ideas....

my best to you and your family...

 

[Tinker Grey]

We've read the intro to the Kida book. She engaged with me. That's promising. We're going to read the intro to the Bennett book and see how it goes. I'm guessing that we'll continue with the Kida book and then decide whether to continue.

 

[brinny]

That's good to hear...i hope all goes well....

 

[talquin]

Try THINK by Guy P. Harrison
http://www.amazon.com/Think-Why-Sho...qid=1425839178&sr=8-1&keywords=guy+p+harrison

 

[Tinker Grey]

Try THINK by Guy P. Harrison
http://www.amazon.com/Think-Why-Sho...qid=1425839178&sr=8-1&keywords=guy+p+harrison

Thanks for the recommendation.