Resources
Here are some great books on Childrens Mental Illness.
Intense Minds: Through the Eyes of Young People with Bipolar Disorder
Young people with bipolar disorder and adults who grew up with the condition speak out to share how they experienced the symptoms of this illness during their youth, and how it affected their functioning in school, at home and with friends. Their insightful comments, woven together by the author, form a stunning picture of the young person's internal experience. The reader will come away with a new understanding of these young people and a renewed commitment to make a difference by reaching out to help.
The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood's Most Misunderstood Disorder -- Third Edition
For any caregiver experiencing life with a bipolar child, Demitri and Janice Papolos's The Bipolar Child will be an indispensable reference guide. The material is presented clearly, with lots of helpful charts and lists to aid in receiving proper diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care. All medical information is relayed with the aim of helping parents to ensure effective treatment for their children and includes journal-tracking formats to help caregivers provide accurate information to personal physicians. Importantly, many pages are devoted to discussions about the emotional upheavals that living with a bipolar child can bring, and how parents and children can cope most effectively. The book is filled with families' stories that do a beautiful job providing comfort and inspiration to others. A detailed chapter on hospitalization covers everything from insurance to types of treatments.
The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book: Practical Answers to the Top 300 Questions Parents Ask (Answer Book)
How does bipolar disorder affect learning? Is there a cure? Is this a fad diagnosis? How do I handle manipulation? How can I prevent relapses? Should I use alternative treatments? How can I parent effectively?
Written in an easy Q&A format. Co-written by a doctor and a mother whose children live with bipolar disorder, The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book explains confusing medical lingo and provides straightforward answers to all your pressing questions about treatment, parenting strategies, and everything else.
- How is childhood bipolar disorder different from an adult onset?
- What are the earliest symptoms?
- Why is my child so irritable?
- How young can these symptoms manifest?
- Should all family members be evaluated for bipolar disorder?
- Will my child lead a normal life?
Turbo Max: A Story for Siblings and Friends of Children with Bipolar Disorder
Recommended for ages 8-12. There is one thing that Rick wants this summer, a Turbo Max remote control car. When his parents buy him a diary instead, Rick knows it's going to be a long summer. A contest at the hobby shop gives him hope that he can win the remote control car of his dreams. Just when the new car seems within grasp, Rick's sister is hospitalized with bipolar disorder. As Rick struggles to understand Mandy's illness and cope with its effects on his life, his hopes of winning are broken. But with some creative helpers and the advice from Mandy's doctor, Rick just might have one last chance. Turbo Max is much more than a journey through one boy's summer as recorded in his diary. It's a journey from confusion to understanding, from embarrassment to advocacy, from anger and guilt to acceptance. It's a journey that all siblings of children with bipolar disorder need to make in their own way and time. It is hoped that Turbo Max will be an important step in this journey.