Very rarely do I read a story in the press on treatment for psychological disorders and finish feeling satisfied and excited. Last week, the New York Times had one such story on how psychotherapy and family interventions can be effective in treating disorders for children. It covers parenting style and family dynamics, as well as a balanced view between drug and psychosocial treatments.
By defining mental disorders as primarily problems of brain chemicals, the emphasis on biology also led to an increasing dependence on psychiatric drugs, especially those that entered the market in the 1980s and 1990s.
But the science behind nondrug treatments is getting stronger. And now, some researchers and doctors are looking again at how inconsistent, overly permissive or uncertain child-rearing styles might worsen children’s problems, and how certain therapies might help resolve those problems, in combination with drug therapy or without drugs.
The Times continues to be one of the best resources for reliable information about psychology in the popular media, and if you have any interest in how childhood mental disorders can be treated, then this is a must read.
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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2 Comments to
“Changing a Family to Help a Child”
What a wonderful story. Thank you for bringing the story to my attention and the attention of so many other readers. I have a long history of working with children and their families and now manage a site dedicated to educating mental health professionals. I have watched so many parents struggle with how to decide the best treatment approach for their child.
I feel the story offered a nice overview of the treatment options available to children and families. While I feel medication is an important component of treatment for many children, I feel strongly that just as many would benefit from therapy alone or a combination as the article stated. I always tried therapy first especially with younger children unless safety was an issue requiring alternative interventions.
Thank you again for the link to this must read article. I hope struggling parents will read it and find hope in the options it discusses.
I want to thank you as well for sharing this story. It seems that all too often we have to learn by example, and in these days and time, parents tend to find little time to truly get to know their children and what they may be going through. This story enlightens a sense of ‘viewpoint’ right away to readers. The approach alone is very clearly something i would like to see more parents become aware of.
With hopes that many read the story, again I thank you for sharing it.
Being the author of an interactive Teen Handbook that has had instant results and nothing but good praise from clinical professionals, I reach these issues from the teen’s side on educating their parents them self. I found it a weak and much needed area for bringing to light, that actually works.
This story has helped educate and open my mind to new insights and thought.
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 27 Dec 2006
