The Disappearing Girl: Learning the Language of Teenage Depression

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0452287103 ISBN 13: 9780452287105

Publisher: Plume, 2006

Adults are increasingly concerned about the rising rate of depression in teenage girls and the frequency of alarming behaviors including wild conduct, explosive outbursts, back talking, sexual escapades, drug experimentation, and even cutting, eating disorders, and suicide attempts. The Disappearing Girl, the first book on depression in teenage girls, helps parents understand:
· Why silence reflects a girl’s desperate wish for inclusion, not isolation
· Subtle differences between teen angst and problem behavior
· Vulnerabilities in dating, friendships, school, and families
· How, if untreated, girls will carry feelings of helplessness, anger, and depression into adulthood

Dr. Machoian also offers conversation topics to help girls navigate mixed messages, develop their identity, make healthy decisions, and build resilience that will empower them throughout life, as well as helping parents manage their own frustration.

From the Back Cover:

"This is a hopeful book—for parents, teachers, therapists, and also for girls."
—Carol Gilligan, author of In a Different Voice

"This insightful and important book is a must read for all those relating to girls."
—Rachel Simmons, author of Odd Girl Out

About the Author:

Lisa Machoian, Ed.D., taught in Harvard’s Department of Human Development and Psychology and was alsthe director of their Gender Studies Concentration. She has worked for more than twenty years with teenage girls, and her articles have appeared in many publications. She now devotes her time to lecturing, consulting, and conducting workshops for parents, teens, and professionals. She holds a master’s degree and a doctorate from Harvard.