Description

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.

About the Author

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.

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

“Highly informative and compassionate…reflects a deep understanding of the children and their families. This unique approach demystifies the disorder, eases the apprehension that parents feel, and equips them to better work with the professionals who treat and educate their children. [The] memorable concepts and metaphors [in this book]…will long remain with their readers." —Demitri F. Papolos, M.D. and Janice Papolos, authors of The Bipolar Child

"Psychiatric nurse McDonnell and child psychiatrist Wozniak's book on parenting bipolar children stands out from the many other books available on the topic."—Library Journal

“Janet Wozniak is THE authority on childhood bipolar disorder. Indeed, she discovered it, and in doing so she’s saved or improved many lives.”—Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., coauthor of Driven to Distraction