The Ups and downs of Raising a Bipolar Child: A Survival Guide for Parents »

Judith Lederman, a freelance writer and public relations consultant, has written for The New York Times and a number of national magazines, and hosted two weekly radio shows in the New York area. She is the parent of a bipolar child and lives in Scarsdale, New York.

HELP IS HERE

Bipolar disorder has recently been identified as one of the most misunderstood and underdiagnosed conditions affecting children — and it is dramatically on the rise. The Ups and Downs of Raising a Bipolar Child gives parents the sound advice and expert information they need to cope with this challenging diagnosis, and shows how to provide essential care and support for a bipolar child as well as for the rest of the family.

Library Journal

In the last decade, increasing numbers of children and adolescents have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder (manic depression). Though this disorder was previously thought not to occur before young adulthood, it is now acknowledged to be relatively common and often misdiagnosed. Life with bipolar children can be harrowing, as they can rapidly cycle from uncontrollable exuberance to suicidal depression. This book, written by the parent of a bipolar child with the assistance of a psychiatrist, offers concrete tips on how to handle difficult situations, such as what to tell siblings, dealing with the distress caused by the necessary blood tests, and coping with teens who get into legal trouble. Details about diagnosis, medication, and treatment are briefly covered, but a better source for that information is Demitri and Janice Papolos's The Bipolar Child, which should be in all public libraries. Lederman and Fink's title is not as comprehensive but is also a good purchase for public libraries.-Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, WA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Part One: Your Bipolar Child

1. The Diagnosis: What It Means to Be Bipolar

2. Mental Health Care Professionals: Picking Your Team

3. The Moods: Helping Your Child Through Mood Swings

4. The Medications: The Right Prescriptions for Your Child

5. The Structure of Daily Life: Routine Is Everything

6. Hospitalization: When and How to Get 24/7 Care

Part Two: Your Child in the World

7. Day Care, Schools, and Camps: Finding Safe and Appropriate Care and Education

8. Friends and Family: When and How to Explain Your Child's Condition

9. The Law: A Good Lawyer Can Help

Part Three: Your Family

10. You: Caring for Yourself So You Can Care for Your Child

11. Relationships: Meeting the Challenge Together

12. Siblings: Parenting the "Normal" Ones

Part Four: Money Matters

13. Career: Balancing Work and the Biggest Job You'll Ever Have

14. Family Finances: Paying for Special Needs Now and Later

Resources

Index