The Emotional Lives of Teenagers and Stress Less

THE EMOTIONAL LIVES OF TEENAGERS by Lisa Damour received a starred review from Library Journal. Geared primarily to parents, it seems particularly pertinent give the very recent CDC report (CDC press release and summary) which documents YRBS results that show “concerning increases in sadness and exposure to violence” especially for teen girls and LGBTQ+ youth. In this highly recommended text, Damour utilizes five chapters to take an in-depth look at myths concerning adolescent emotions, plus gender and the everyday impact of emotion, as well as exploring ideas to help teens express feelings and regain control. As always (Under Pressure, Untangled), Damour offers valuable insight based on research (there are significant notes and a lengthy list of recommended resources) and her own practice (30 years of clinical experience). For example, she observes that “somewhere along the way we became afraid of being unhappy” and suggests three underlying trends: “the proliferation of effective psychiatric medications, the rise of the wellness industry, and the climbing numbers of young people who suffer from mental health disorders.” Her text is clear and straightforward, written in a conversational tone with vivid imagery like “instead of fire, what if we thought of our teens’ feelings as a flowing river, one that suddenly surges in adolescence?” If you are interested in “Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents,” click here for details for a Family Action Network (FAN) event featuring Dr. Damour on March 2 at 7:00pm – in person (at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, IL), streaming live, and to be recorded for later viewing. For further reference: Full CDC report link  

STRESS LESS by Michael A. Tompkins (Zero to 60) is self-described as “A Teen's Guide to a Calm Chill Life.” Tompkins, a licensed psychologist and assistant clinical professor at the University of California at Berkeley, speaks directly to teens. He begins by describing stress “basics” and then moves on to confront stress in specific situations (e.g., work, school, test performance, with family, friends, dating, technology, etc.) and to document coping skills like mindfulness. Tompkins offers numerous exercises throughout the text as well as a Stress Skill Quick Locator and other helpful resources. Kirkus very aptly describes this well-intentioned text as “A dense but all-inclusive treatment of stress, with reader-friendly tips, tables, and checklists.” Be sure to also look at the Instant Help series (and other titles from New Harbinger Publications); over the years, we have reviewed several (here and here, for example) and some in that series are also recommended by Lisa Damour in her new book.