How to Identify, Treat, Manage, and Rise to the Challenge
May 1, 2008
Until about ten years ago, psychiatrists believed that the onset of bipolar disorder (previously called manic-depression illness) occurred in early adulthood. Today experts recognize that children and teenagers, too, can get the disease. Psychiatric nurse McDonnell and child psychiatrist Wozniak's book on parenting bipolar children stands out from the many other books available on the topic. First, there is an informative chapter on the tendency for bipolar children also to suffer from other psychiatric conditions (e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, Asperger syndrome), a relatively new development. Another of the book's promising features is its extended discussion of how parents can help teachers and doctors understand what their bipolar child is experiencing. While other books touch on this topic, the authors here instruct parents on how to keep a journal in concrete and detailed language that documents a bipolar child's behaviors. Those sick of hearing that their child's excessive aggression or talkativeness is "normal" will welcome this book as a tool to help them persuade others of the seriousness of the situation. A prudent choice for most public libraries.Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, WA
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