Description

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"Beautiful Disasters" follows the downward spiral of the author's son from when his birth dad died when Cameron was 15 until his own untimely death at age 18. The author feels that her son's grief manifested into major depression which was the precursor to meth addiction, breaking the law, and finally his own death by suicide. This book shares the mental health professionals visits and rehabilitation they pursed in hopes of saving Cameron. The goal of this book is to make parents and others who come in touch with teens, aware of the signs of depression, grief, and substance abuse so they can perhaps a save a life.From a review..."While this story is grim, it is written with frankness and candor and can offer insights or solace to families going through a similar experience."

About the Author

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Carolyn Zahnow is the founder and Executive Director of The Shore Grief Center located in central North Carolina. She is also the author of two books – “Save the Teens: Preventing suicide, addiction and depression” and “Beautiful Disasters: A Family’s Journey Through Teen Depression” – both tackling the issues of teen grief, depression, and substance abuse. She is a graduate of NC State University as well as San Diego City College. She lives in Youngsville, NC with her husband, Dan, and their rescue dog, Sheila.

Praise For…

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"This is a gripping account of a mother's efforts to rescue her teenage son from descent into depression, drugs, and ultimately death. She tries therapists, drug rehab, disciplinary actions, and love. Her son, a talented and well-liked young man, just can't respond. While this story is grim, it is written with frankness and candor and can offer insights or solace to families going through a similar experience." — Jane Shaw Stroup Chair, James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal

"We read the stories of others in search of mile markers, signposts to guide the direction of our lives. There are many such markers in this poignant and compelling story. Carolyn Zahnow has taken loss and extracted from it wisdom, hope, and a healing pathway on which readers may follow in her footsteps." — Robert Schwartz, Between Lives Regression Therapist, author of "Your Soul's Plan" and "Your Soul's Gift"