Teens and phobias

Many teens experience garden-variety fears, but some face serious phobias, and this installment in the Teen Mental Health series sheds some light on the topic. Kemper helpfully begins by drawing a distinction between fears and clinically significant phobias, which can get in the way of day-to-day functioning. Other chapters cover common types of phobias; where they originate (trauma, genetics, learned behaviors, and so on); how phobias can affect teens; and common treatment practices, including both therapy and medication. Generalized anxiety and depression get plenty of mention as well. While the dense text can be repetitive and is occasionally alarmist about fairly normal teen activities, there's plenty of information here to assist with reports, and a list of mental-health resources in the back matter will be particularly helpful for teens looking for guidance.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2017 Booklist

Gr 9 Up-The teenage years can be difficult to navigate, and all the more so for individuals struggling with mental illness. Extremely current in its coverage, this set not only recognizes the importance of such standard topics as eating disorders and suicide but also acknowledges less-covered disorders not often associated with adolescence, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The personal experiences of both average people and celebrities directly and honestly convey each condition in great depth, covering its causes and treatment options. Visuals, which are kept to a minimum, are interspersed throughout and presented primarily as quote boxes and photos, with diagrams, charts, and infographics mixed in as well. Back matter contains two very important resources: a "Recognizing Signs of Trouble" section addressing the common symptoms of each issue and "Organizations To Contact," to assist individuals in finding help or further information. VERDICT An insightful resource for high schoolers coping with mental illness. © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.