You Don't Understand Me: Finding Yourself, Facing Your Problems and Figuring Out Life (When Nobody Gets It)

Being a young woman today is harder than ever before, but Tara Porter’s empathetic, highly expert approach will guide teenagers, young women and their parents through these difficult years

Female adolescence is an ever-shifting, notoriously tricky time of life. And never before have young women had so much freedom and choice. But never before have they had so many demands placed upon them—by themselves as well as by others. How can today’s teenager or young woman cope during this stage? Are there any simple answers?

Writing directly to girls and young women, Dr. Tara Porter draws on decades of experience to offer insight into their own psychology. Like a warm letter from a wise friend or big sister, You Don’t Understand Me examines the situation from a young person’s perspective, guiding readers through the various challenges they may encounter. And as well as explaining young women to themselves, it provides an indispensable resource for parents—a glimpse behind the rolled eyes and the protestations of “You don’t understand me!”

Filled with simple strategies, clear explanations and current case studies, this book is an essential and deeply human guide for families everywhere.

DR. TARA PORTER is the lead psychologist of a CAMHN eating disorder team in the UK that treats young people, 90% of whom are female. While her role on the team is diverse, a large part of her work is one-to-one therapy. Since 2016, she has also run a private practice where she sees children, adolescents and adults with a wide range of problems. Dr. Porter writes regularly about mental health for a British teaching journal. This is her first book.