About the Author

Joel L. Young, M.D. is a board-certified adolescent, adult and forensic psychiatrist. He is the medical director of the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine outside of Detroit. RCBM is a clinical research site and outpatient clinic specializing in the treatment of individuals and families struggling with mental illness, including ADHD, substance use disorders, mood disorders, and psychosis. In addition, Dr. Young teaches Psychiatry at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. He is the author of ADHD Grown Up (W.W. Norton, 2007) and Contemporary Guide to Adult ADHD (Handbooks in Healthcare, 2009). More information about Dr. Young, and the Rochester Center of Behavioral Medicine can be fount at www.rcbm.net. Christine Adamec has written more than 30 self-help books and encyclopedias, most recently Amphetamines and Methamphetamine (Chelsea House, 2012) and The Encyclopedia of Kidney Diseases and Disorders (Facts On File, 2011). In addition, she coauthored Fibromyalgia for Dummies (Wiley, 2007), which has sold 100,000 copies in two editions. Adamec has also written or coauthored numerous books on substance abuse and mental illness, including), The Encyclopedia of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (Facts On File, 2010), The Encyclopedia of Drug Abuse (Facts On File, 2008)and How to Live with a Mentally Ill Person (Wiley, 1996). Adamec lives near Orlando, Florida. Read more at christineadamec.com

Reviews

"At a time when we have a veritable crisis of adult children coping with mental illness, substance abuse, or their combination—coupled with a lack of resources for their concerned parents—this book provides understandable, practical advice for parents that is useful in real life. Dr. Young is a member of the new generation of psychiatrists unburdened by the tradition of a hierarchy and stereotype and is to be commended for the effort he expended in putting together this concise and practical summary in this important, underserved area. Any parent and clinician would benefit greatly from reading this book." —David R. Rosenberg, MD, professor and chairman, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University; and psychiatrist in chief, Detroit Medical Center "It is often very hard to find help for despairing parents of adult children with mental illness and substance abuse. Easily understood and clearly written, replete with anecdotes, advice and quotations from real people, this unusually helpful book offers timely and practical information." —Mark S. Gold, MD, distinguished professor and chairman, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida "This authoritative guide couples practical, no-nonsense information with support and reassurance. A must-read book for parents who wonder what went wrong and who mistakenly blame themselves." —Irene S. Levine, PhD, professor of psychiatry, NYU Langone School of Medicine "Parents struggling to understand and support their adult children in distress now have this engaging, comprehensive, and practical book. In When Your Adult Child Breaks Your Heart, Dr. Joel Young provides invaluable information, stories, and strategies. He has given us an essential go-to-resource for families and those who work with them." —Steve Weine, MD, professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago "Brain-behavior illnesses almost always become family issues. Family and friends are impacted, play crucial roles in assisting children of any age in finding and adhering to treatment plans, and are always in need of guidance about how to navigate the predictable hurdles. This book by Dr. Young provides a road map that help parents along often-rocky roads." —John Greden, MD, executive director, University of Michigan Depression Center, University of Michigan Medical School"This book addresses an often overlooked cost of mental illness—the agonizing suffering of family members who make every attempt to support and love the impaired adult child. You will appreciate the 'in the trenches' insights and guidance these knowledgeable authors offer." —David W. Goodman, MD, assistant professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; and director, Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Center of Maryland "Mental illness and substance use disorders are highly prevalent, cause enormous personal suffering and disability, and pose extreme strains on even the best-functioning families. There are no guidebooks or other educational materials available to parents of adult children with these conditions. When Your Adult Child Breaks Your Heart admirably fills this enormous void. Clearly written by Dr. Young and Ms. Adamec, this timely book provides extremely useful information and practical advice to parents of adult children with mental illness and substance use disorders. I found the book inspiring and comforting and would highly recommend it to all parents who struggle to understand their adult child with mental illness, cope with the knowledge of their adult child's problematic behaviors, and strive to help their child while retaining their own sanity." —Rajiv Tandon, MD, professor of psychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine