Growing Pains: Making Sense of Childhood – A Psychiatrist’s Story

''A remarkable, powerful, tender and insightful book that will change lives''
Stephen Fry

''A unique book . . . The stories [Shooter] tells are poignant and powerful testimonies to the resilience of the human spirit''
Marjorie Wallace, CBE

''Through fascinating case studies, Dr Mike Shooter explores issues such as grief, bullying, family breakdown and self-harm. It''s a compelling and fascinating glimpse into his career, but is also full of insights into the minds of children, the struggles of growing up and the challenges of parenting''
Max Pemberton, Daily Mail

''An excellent read for psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, whether they work with children or adults''
MDEdge

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Child psychiatrist Dr Mike Shooter sheds light on the painful issues and universal experience of growing up, through the stories of his patients and their families.

Growing up isn''t easy. We can be at our most vulnerable and confused. And the right help isn''t always there when we need it most. For over forty years psychiatrist Mike Shooter has listened to children and adolescents in crisis, helping them to find their stories and begin to make sense of their lives.

Mike Shooter''s own life has been shaped by his battle with depression. It makes him question received wisdom. He knows labels won''t always fit and one diagnosis will not work for all.

His patients'' stories are at the heart of this book. Mike Shooter shares their journey as, through therapy, they confront everything from loss and family breakdown to bullying, grief and illness. We see how children begin to make breakthroughs with depression or anxiety, destructive, even sometimes violent behaviour.

Growing Pains is compelling and compassionate - a book to make us wiser and braver, and to help us see how children''s stories can find happier endings.