Back To Normal, by Enrico Gnaulati

From Amazon: "In recent years there has been an alarming rise in the number of American children and youth assigned a mental health diagnosis. Current data from the Centers for Disease Control reveal a 41 percent increase in rates of ADHD diagnoses over the past decade and a forty-fold spike in bipolar disorder diagnoses. Similarly, diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, once considered, has increased by 78 percent since 2002.

Dr. Enrico Gnaulati, a clinical psychologist specializing in childhood and adolescent therapy and assessment, has witnessed firsthand the push to diagnose these disorders in youngsters. Drawing both on his own clinical experience and on cutting-edge research, with Back to Normal he has written the definitive account of why our kids are being dramatically overdiagnosed—and how parents and professionals can distinguish between true psychiatric disorders and normal childhood reactions to stressful life situations...

Back to Normal reminds us of the normalcy of children’s seemingly abnormal behavior. It will give parents of struggling children hope, perspective, and direction. And it will make everyone who deals with children question the changes in our society that have contributed to the astonishing increase in childhood psychiatric diagnoses."

Back to Normal was a fascinating and well written book. I particularly appreciated that the author did not claim that these disorders don't exist or that no one should be medicated for them. Instead, he outlined situations in which these disorders are not to blame for what are seen as related behaviors to demonstrate the point that misdiagnosis is an issue. Back to Normal was extraordinarily easy to read and compelling. While I was reading it I took it everywhere with me in hopes that I would have time to read more of it. I have rarely been so disappointed to reach the end of a book. Back to Normal didn't answer all the questions that I had, and brought up even more questions, but it was a great starting place.

I would recommend Back to Normal to anyone who is interested in medicine, psychology, psychiatry, or childhood disorders. Although I'm not yet a parent, I think Back to Normal would be a great book to read and consider from that perspective.

Until next time,

Rachel