Is Your Child Bipolar?: The Definitive Resource on How to Identify, Treat, and Thrive with a Bipolar Child

The Definitive Resource on How to Identify, Treat, and Live with a Bipolar Child

More than three million American children suffer from some form of bipolar disorder, a life-impairing illness that can cause wild mood swings and even episodes of rage. But as a parent, can you tell the difference between a tempermental, moody child and one facing serious mental illness? Where do you turn if your child’s tantrums and meltdowns are wreaking havoc? For families as well as professionals, here is the only book on early- onset bipolar disorder written by pediatric specialists who combine clinical care and research.

Health experts once thought bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, did not exist in children and teens. However, leading experts like Janet Wozniak and Mary Ann McDonnell have shown that the illness may appear even before age six, with many cases either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Now, in the most complete and authoritative guide yet, Janet Wozniak, M.D., and psychiatric nurse Mary Ann McDonnell offer their unmatched expertise along with the latest information on this difficult condition.

Drawing from their professional experience and sharing stories of families in their practices, the authors guide you in how to:

•Navigate the “diagnosis tangle” to ensure accurate identification of the disorder

•Communicate effectively with doctors, teachers, and counselors

•Find allies and choose a treatment team

•Help your family cope

In a rapidly changing field, The Bipolar Disorder clearly explains what researchers know, what they suspect, and where studies now point. From medication to coping strategies, this accessible book offers inspiration, encouragement, and invaluable wisdom for all involved.

Designed as a definitive resource on how to identify bipolar disorders in children, this book also focuses of effective treatments and resources available to parents today. McDonnell, who head her own non-profit organization supporting bipolar children, and Wozniak (Harvard Medical School) offer practical information on how to cope with bipolar children and teens and communicate concerns effectively to doctors, teachers and counselors. A section is included on how to properly diagnose a bipolar disorder, and how not to confuse this condition with other types of personality disorders. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Mary Ann McDonnell, A.P.R.N., B.C., is the executive director of S.T.E.P. Up 4 Kids, a nonprofit organization supporting children and teens with bipolar disorder. A clinical university instructor, she also maintains a private practice in pediatric psychopharmacology.

Janet Wozniak, M.D., is the director of Pediatric Bipolar Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, and assistant professor of psychiatry there and at Harvard Medical School.