Parenting a Bipolar Child

Description

When a child or adolescent is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it's hard for his or her parents to know exactly what to do. What constitutes an effective therapeutic approach to help their bipolar child navigate childhood and adolescence? In this book, a psychiatrist and a psychologist, both specialising in mood disorders, offer a comprehensive overview of the available treatment options and most effective parenting strategies for dealing with this serious condition. In addition to a thorough explanation of the often necessary medical treatments for bipolar disorder, readers will also learn the importance of emotional regulation in bipolar children. Techniques for dealing with displays of rage, anger and irritability in children are covered. The book also addresses sleep deprivation, one of the most common symptoms of childhood bipolar disorder, and the issues young people with bipolar disorder face in school. Subjects of particular interest to parents of older children and adolescents are covered, such as substance abuse, eating disorders, violence and suicide. All of this information is complemented by advice on parental self-care and integrating the care of the bipolar child with the needs of the rest of the family.

Gianni L. Faedda, MD, is a psychiatrist and psychopharmacologist with an extensive background in research and treatment of manic-depressive illness. Dr. Faedda trained at the Lucio Bini Center in Cagliari and Rome, then at Harvard's McLean Hospital. He was awarded the 1989 and 1990 Ely Lilly Award for Best Research by a Resident. In 1991 he completed a Fellowship in Psychopharmacology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Nancy B. Austin, Psy.D., a graduate of the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology School/Child Program at Yeshiva University, has been a child psychologist in New York since 1988.

This is a superb book that all parents, educators, and clinicians should read. Not only do the authors provide an excellent overview of the pharmacological treatment of the disorder, but they offer trenchant case vignettes that go a long way to clarifying the various presentations of the illness from early childhood through adolescence. In addition, the book provides a useful toolkit for parents to better understand, empathize, and develop strategies to deal with the errant and often overwhelming behaviors these children manifest. We highly recommend this book. --Demitri F. Papolos, MD, and Janice Papolos, authors of The Bipolar Child This book is extraordinarily helpful in presenting a picture of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. The case illustrations present a very clear picture of the symptoms that define the disorder. The information on psychopharmacological treatment and psychological treatment are valuable resources for parents and professionals alike. --Ira Glovinsky, Ph.D., director of the Childhood Mood Disorder Program at the Interdisciplinary Center for the Family in West Bloomfield, MI, and adjunct professor of psychology at Madonna University in Livonia, MI Drs. Faedda and Austin have done a remarkable job of describing bipolar disorder in children. Their combined clinical experience lends richness to the practical suggestions they have for families in managing this difficult illness. Reading Parenting a Bipolar Child will bring relief to stressed and confused parents struggling for answers as they navigate the complex diagnostic and treatment pathway for youth with bipolar disorder. --Mary A. Fristad, PhD, ABPP, professor of psychiatry and psychology at Ohio State University and author of Raising a Moody Child This is a superb book that all parents, educators, and clinicians should read. Not only do the authors provide an excellent overview of the pharmacological treatment of the disorder, but they offer trenchant case vignettes that go a long way to clarifying the various presentations of the illness from early childhood through adolescence. In addition, the book provides a useful toolkit for parents to better understand, empathize, and develop strategies to deal with the errant and often overwhelming behaviors these children manifest. We highly recommend this book. --Demitri F. Papolos, MD, and Janice Papolos, authors of "The Bipolar Child" This book is extraordinarily helpful in presenting a picture of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. The case illustrations present a very clear picture of the symptoms that define the disorder. The information on psychopharmacological treatment and psychological treatment are valuable resources for parents and professionals alike. --Ira Glovinsky, Ph.D., director of the Childhood Mood Disorder Program at the Interdisciplinary Center for the Family in West Bloomfield, MI, and adjunct professor of psychology at Madonna University in Livonia, MI Drs. Faedda and Austin have done a remarkable job of describing bipolar disorder in children. Their combined clinical experience lends richness to the practical suggestions they have for families in managing this difficult illness. Reading Parenting a Bipolar Child will bring relief to stressed and confused parents struggling for answers as they navigate the complex diagnostic and treatment pathway for youth with bipolar disorder. --Mary A. Fristad, PhD, ABPP, professor of psychiatry and psychology at Ohio State University and author of" Raising a Moody Child"