Children and Adolescents

Bipolar Disorders: A Guide to Helping Children & Adolescents†
Mitzi Waltz
An excellent plain-language guide for parents of children and adolescents with bipolar disorders, explaining diagnosis and common misdiagnoses, medications and responses, therapeutic interventions, and alternative therapies. The author is a journalist and mother of a daughter with the disorder.

The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood's Most Misunderstood Disorder†
Demitri Papolos, Janice Papolos
The first book published specifically on bipolar disorder in children. It contains many practical suggestions and has good coverage of medications.

Adolescent Depression: A Guide for Parents
Francis Mark Mondimore
This volume explains to parents how to recognize the symptoms of serious depression in young people, what treatments are available, and how parents can best help their children cope with this illness.

The Life of a Bipolar Child: What Every Parent and Professional Needs to Know
Trudy Carlson
In this profoundly moving story, the author Trudy Carlson discusses the symptoms of bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder in young persons. The author discusses her son's depression, attention deficit disorder, and finally suicide at age 14.

Survival Strategies for Parenting Children with Bipolar Disorder
George T. Lynn
Practical advice on recognizing the symptoms, understanding medication, and accessing the necessary support at school, as well as the managing the day-to-day challenges of parenting a child with bipolar disorder.

Lonely, Sad and Angry: A Parent's Guide to Depression in Children and Adolescents†
Barbara D. Ingersoll, Sam Goldstein
The authors give a readable overview of symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of depression in the young and demystify a subject that is often feared and denied.

New Article: Teaching Wellness

Research has recently demonstrated that teaching illness self-management in addition to medication can significantly improve the quality of life for those with bipolar disorder. This article reviews the scientific evidence.

Reprinted with permission from bp Magazine, Fall 2006.