What Works for Bipolar Kids: Help and Hope for Parents » (1st Edition)

Mani Pavuluri, MD, PhD, is Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry and Founding Director of the Pediatric Mood Disorders Clinic and Pediatric Bipolar Research Program at the Institute for Juvenile Research, University of Illinois at Chicago. A widely cited expert on psychological disorders in young children, she has been listed as one of "America’s Top Psychiatrists" by the Consumers’ Research Council. Dr. Pavuluri is currently Chair of the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation's Professional Advisory Council.

It may be hard to believe your child will ever get better, but kids with bipolar disorder can and do lead healthy, stable lives. In this compassionate and optimistic book, expert clinician and renowned researcher Mani Pavuluri delivers information, advice, and proven strategies that empower you to deal with the challenges of bipolar disorder and help your child get well. Drawing on 20 years of experience with bipolar kids and their families, she provides solidly researched strategies for reducing or eliminating problems with mania, aggression, sleep disturbances, depression, and other issues. You’ll discover practical ways to handle crises at home and in school, work with professionals to find an effective combination of medicine and psychotherapy, and cultivate a supportive community of friends and peers for your child. Dr. Pavuluri also helps you deal with the stress that comes with parenting, so you can maintain your poise, focus on the positive, and be a powerful advocate for your child.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Arshdeep S. Jawandha, MBBS(Rush University Medical Center)
Description:This compilation of advice for parents and caregivers of children with bipolar disorder is organized in three parts. Broadly, part I deals with basic questions parents might have. Part II provides the much needed, comprehensive psychoeducation that all parents will need, both at the time of diagnosis and on an ongoing basis. Part III provides advice about specific situations that might arise with children in relation to school or healthcare providers. The advice, however, is scattered throughout the book.
Purpose:This book provides information about bipolar illness, its treatment, problems encountered along the way, and possible solutions in simple and easy to comprehend terms.
Audience:The author intends this book for parents and caregivers of children with bipolar disorder, as well as youth with bipolar disorder. However, this is also a good sourcebook for psychiatry, psychology, or social work trainees who can pick up advice that they can offer clients in various crisis situations.
Features:Basic information about diagnosis, methods of evaluation, and a variety of treatment options is provided. Descriptive tables detail common clinical terms related to bipolar disorder and various degrees, clinical titles, and roles that health professionals play, thus helping parents demystify the healthcare provider system. Some common questions, such as the role of heredity, parenting styles, etc., are nicely addressed. Advice for parents on how to handle crisis situations is included, while the need to maintain a good parent-child relationship is strongly emphasized, along with simple ways to achieve this. The subject of medications, side effects, risks of stopping suddenly, and lack of compliance are discussed. The book also addresses the very important topic of how parents must modify their own expectations and enhance self care as they care for their sick children. There is a clear cataloging of alternative treatments as well as the bogus treatments. A unique RAINBOW approach is discussed and information about child and family centered therapy is included, along with methods for, and the importance of, teaching children social skills. Methods of engagement with doctors and school are outlined, educating parents about the terminology used in the various areas, which in itself will help reduce parents' anxiety. At the very end are appendixes that help parents quickly revisit the basic principles of care of children with bipolar disorder, mania rating scales, lists of medications and side effects, and a nice compilation of a framework for a school teleconference. All of these resources can be quickly accessed as needed after the book has been read and shelved.
Assessment:Though it will be read only by motivated parents and some of the terminology may be hard for parents to follow, overall this book will help readers become informed consumers of healthcare services and empower parents of children with bipolar disorder.

Foreword     vii
Acknowledgments     xi
Introduction: Helping Your Bipolar Child: A Fresh Outlook     1
The Facts and Fundamentals: Knowing the Playground
Yes, Bipolar Disorder Does Occur in Children     13
Does My Child Really Have Bipolar Disorder?     29
Finding the Right Doctor and Treatment Team     48
Treatment That Can Help Your Child and Your Family: Finding the Solutions
Setting the Stage to Make the Most of Treatment: Principles to Get You Off to a Good Start     73
Managing Your Child's Moods with Medication     81
Making Life Better with RAINBOW Therapy     114
Parenting with Poise: The Secret Ingredient for Success     142
Pulling It All Together into Strategies for Specific Situations: Wisdom That Gets You Centered
Keeping the Peace at Home     163
Finding the Best School Setting and Programs for Your Child     190
Forming a Partnership with Your Child's Teacher     211
Building Social Skills for Positive Friendships     221
Epilogue: A Final Word     233
Appendices
Principles for Meeting the Challenge of Bipolar Disorder     239
Child Mania Rating Scale-Parent Version (CMRS-P)     240
Child Mania Rating Scale-Teacher Version (CMRS-T)     242
Medication: Tracking theHistory of Response     244
Pediatric Side Effects Checklist (P-SEC)     246
Medications Used for Bipolar Disorder in Children     249
Daily Mood Calendar     252
Framework for a Physician-School Teleconference     253
Resources     257
Bibliography     261
Index     265
About the Author     274