A WILSDEN resident has completed a book which explores and recommends answers to some of the psychological and other emotional problems experienced by girls and young women.

Paul Tempest, 61, has published "Suicidal Thoughts in Girls – the Main Causes and the Best Cures".

Among the issues it handles is the impact the digital revolution has had on young girls, who end up damaged by conducting relationships online instead of in person.

Mr Tempest says this damage, known as Digital Indoctrination Fallout, can manifest itself in conditions such as depression, anorexia, anxiety and self-harming, as well as suicidal thoughts.

He said his book was the result of a year's worth of research and includes personal case studies and statistics from official organisations.

"Nineteen per cent of 19 to 24-year-old girls and young women are self harming, which is a huge proportion, even though most won't be doing this every day," he said.

"It's a condition that comes and goes but it is an escalating problem. There's an epidemic of self harming among young girls."

He said digital technology gives girls the chance to identify with celebrity personalities and lifestyles in ways which were not possible when such interaction was limited to posters and magazine articles.

Mr Tempest, who previously worked as a computer engineer, said his book also tackles issues such as substance abuse and the effect unrealistically high body image expectations can have on young girls and women.

The book is now available as an £8.99 paperback on Amazon, and can also be bought in electronic form for Kindle devices.