What Works For Bipolar Kids: Help and Hope
by Mani Pavuluri, M.D., Ph.D.
Foreword by Susan Resko, CABF Executive Director

It may be hard to believe your child will ever get better, but kids with bipolar disorder can and do lead healthy, stable lives. In this compassionate and optimistic book, expert clinician and renowned researcher Mani Pavuluri delivers information, advice, and proven strategies that empower you to deal with the challenges of bipolar disorder and help your child get well. Drawing on 20 years of experience with bipolar kids and their families, she provides solidly researched strategies for reducing or eliminating problems with mania, aggression, sleep disturbances, depression, and other issues. You’ll discover practical ways to handle crises at home and in school, work with professionals to find an effective combination of medicine and psychotherapy, and cultivate a supportive community of friends and peers for your child. Dr. Pavuluri also helps you deal with the stress that comes with parenting, so you can maintain your poise, focus on the positive, and be a powerful advocate for your child.

SWIVEL to Success: Bipolar Disorder in the Classroom
by Tracy Anglada
(BPChildren, 2009).

"Tracy Anglada's book, 'Swivel to Success,' is a powerful guide that clearly offers hope, encouragement and new perspectives for today's educators who face the challenge of teaching students with Pediatric Bipolar Disorder. 'Swivel to Success' is an effective tool that builds confidence, renews strength and fosters endurance in educators who continue to answer the call in each and every classroom across the nation. Parents and educators alike can trust Tracy's detailed, easy, and clear explanation of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder in 'Swivel to Success.' Tracy's commitment to educators and students reminds us that we must continue to move forward in helping all children with bipolar disorder be successful each and every day.

The Childhood Bipolar Answer Book: Practical Answers to the Top 300 Questions Parents Ask by Tracy Anglada, and Sheryl Hakala, M.D. (Sourcebooks, Inc., 2008)

Written in an easy-to-read Q&A format, The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book helps parents understand and accept their child and develop a plan for success. The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book explains confusing medical lingo and provides straightforward answers to pressing questions. Co-written by a doctor and a mother whose son deals with bipolar disorder, The Childhood Bipolar Answer Book brings readers the parent and medical perspectives.

We've Got Issues: Children and Parents in the Age of Medication by Judith Warner (Riverhead Hardcover, 2010)

Judith Warner — a former contributing columnist for the New York Times, lays out the current scientific understandings of the childhood psychiatric disorders that affect millions each year. She shifts the focus of our attention beyond the hyped-up headlines and the finger-pointing that too often dominates our discussions of children’s “issues,” and instead starts to articulate a new way to think more realistically, compassionately, and productively about and to help a very vulnerable population of kids and their parents.

New Hope for Children and Teens with Bipolar Disorder: Your Friendly, Authoritative Guide to the Latest in Traditional and Complementary Solutions. By Boris Birmaher, M.D. (Three Rivers Press, 2004)

Current information, and packed with useful tips on parenting strategies, treatment strategies, and hope. It contains great advice for dealing with the schools and other steps parents can take to reduce stress and enhance flexibility.

Bipolar Disorder in Childhood and Early Adolescence Edited by Barbara Geller and Melissa P. DelBello (January 2005).

State-of-the-science review of current knowledge on bipolar disorder in children. The first comprehensive text of its kind, covering prevalence, diagnosis and assessment, comorbid conditions, treatment, and outcomes. Essential for medical professionals and science-minded parents.

Bipolar Kids: Helping Your Child Find Calm in the Mood Storm
(paperback) by Rosalie Greenberg, M.D.; Foreword by CABF Cofounder Ruth Field (Da Capo Press, 2008)

"I'm struck by Dr. Greenberg's remarkable empathy for parents and children weathering the storm of bipolar disorder! Through her commentary and case vignettes, she provides both information and support so vital to families. It's clear that Dr. Greenberg has been listening carefully to both the words and the musc of the bipolar experience." --Ruth Field, CABF Cofounder

Click here for an interview with the author.

If Your Adolescent Has Depression or Bipolar Disorder: An Essential Resource for Parents.  By Dwight L. Evans, M.D., and Linda Wasmer Andrews. (Oxford University Press, 2005)

"A truly essential resource for parents of adolescents with depressioni or bipolar disorder.  Clearly written, practical, and thoroughly up-to-date, this book focusses on the specific challenges of getting the best treatment for teens.  Read this book, not just to know, but to know how."  --Kate Pravera, Ph.D., Executive Director, Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation.

Pediatric Bipolar Disorder by Robert L. Findling, Robert A. Kowatch, and Robert M. Post (Boston Medical Pub. Inc; 1st edition, December 2002).

An important book written for doctors, and essential for parents as well. Authors are two leading child psychiatry researchers (Drs. Findling and Kowatch) and Dr. Post, who introduced the use of anticonvulsants for treatment of bipolar disorder in the U.S. Clearly explains the rationale for complex pharmacotherapy used to combat the early-onset form of this progressive illness.

Is Your Child Bipolar? The Definitive Resource on How to Identify, Treat, and Thrive with a Bipolar Child by Mary Ann McDonnell, A.P.R.N., B.C., and Janet Wozniak, M.D. (Bantam, 2008)

In a rapidly changing field, “Is Your Child Bipolar” 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. This is a book that ‘gets it’, that helps parents sift through the questions that surround the diagnosis, and provides well organized and up to date information. 

Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids, Third Edition by Timothy E. Wilens, M.D. (The Guilford Press, 2009).

Excellent overview of common childhood psychiatric disorders (including bipolar disorder) and medications used to treat them. Dr. Wilens is a psychopharmacologist and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School with extensive experience in evaluating and treating early-onset bipolar disorder. "The newly updated third edition details the latest advances in treating specific disorders and offers answers to parents’ frequently asked questions."

The Bipolar Teen: What You Can Do to Help Your Child and Your Family  by David J. Miklowitz, Ph.D., and Elizabeth L. George, Ph.D (The Guilford Press, 2007).

The Bipolar Teen helps parents distinguish between the typical ups and downs of teen life and the symptoms of mania or depression. With coauthor Elizabeth George, Dr. Miklowitz shows parents how to recognize the early warning signs of an episode so they can intervene before it's too late. They show how to strike a healthy balance of medications and psychotherapy, and offer practical tips for getting the most from doctors and from school programs. Crucially, they also demonstrate practical strategies for managing the chaos at home.

Raising a Moody Child: How to Cope with Depression and Bipolar Disorder, by Mary A. Fristad, Ph.D. and Jill S. Goldberg Arnold, Ph.D.

Why symptoms look different in children and teens, how to find the right doctor or therapist, and how to help kids develop their own "coping toolkits." A practical guide to everything from dealing with medical crises to resolving school problems, sibling conflicts, and marital stress. Co-author Fristad is a CABF Professional Advisory Council member and researcher on the benefits of psychoeducation for children with BP and their families.

Bipolar Disorders: A Guide to Helping Children & Adolescents by Mitzi Waltz (O'Reilly, 2000).

An informative discussion on a wide range of topics useful to parents, with extensive listing of additional resources. The last three chapters focus on insurance, school, and transition to adulthood, and will be of particular interest to families of adolescents.

Manic Depression and Creativity by D. Jablow Hershman, D. and Julian Lieb, M.D. (Promethus Books, 1998).

Charles Dickens and Ludwig Van Beethoven had severe mood swings that began in childhood. An account of the lives of four creative individuals (including Isaac Newton and Vincent Van Gogh) and exploration of how creative people with bipolar disorder can manage the illness to enhance their productivity.

A Mood Apart by Peter Whybrow, M.D. (Harper Collins, l997).

An excellent discussion of mood disorders and their effects on emotions, sleep, hunger, thinking, and the development of a sense of self. The author is prominent expert on bipolar disorder and head of the Neuropsychiatric Institute at U.C.L.A.

Moodswing by Ronald R. Fieve, M.D. (Bantam Books, l997).

This updated edition of the book about manic-depression, first published in l975, contains much new information and talks at length about the positive side of bipolar disorder.

New Hope for People With Bipolar Disorder by Jan Fawcett, M.D., Bernard Golden, Ph.D., Nancy Rosenfeld (Three Rivers Press, 2007).

A well-written overview of symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and wellness strategies, including a chapter on children. Authors are a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist, and a woman who lives with the illness.

Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide by Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D. (Knopf, 1999).

Compassionate and unflinching look at the often impulsive, desperate, and irrevocable act that claims the lives of approximately l8% of individuals with bipolar disorder. Discusses anti-suicidal properties of lithium, a mood stabilizer used to treat the illness, and increased risk of suicide among patients who discontinue lithium.

The Ups and Downs of Raising a Bipolar Child by Judith Lederman and Candida Fink, M.D. (Fireside, 2003).

Bipolar disorder has recently been identified as one of the most misunderstood and underdiagnosed conditions affecting children -- and it is dramatically on the rise. The Ups and Downs of Raising a Bipolar Child gives parents the sound advice and expert information they need to cope with this challenging diagnosis, and shows how to provide essential care and support for a bipolar child as well as for the rest of the family.

When You Worry about the Child you Love: Emotional and Learning Problems in Children by Edward Hallowell, M.D. (Simon & Schuster,1996).

Excellent introductory book for parents wondering if their kids' moods and behaviors are normal or might be symptomatic of bipolar disorder, ADHD, Tourette's Syndrome, depression, or other brain disorders. Lifts blame from parents and offers advice on diagnosis and treatment options.

When Words are Not Enough: The Women's Prescription for Depression and Anxiety by Valerie Davis Raskin (Broadway Books, 1997).

Hormonal cycles influence mood in girls and women. Raskin addresses the special concerns of females with bipolar disorder during puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.

When you order products via any of the Amazon.com links on this page, CABF receives a percentage of each purchase.

Day for Night: Recognizing Teenage Depression is a 26-minute DVD offering an in depth look at the signs, symptoms, and treatment of teenage depression.

The DVD features:

• True stories of several teenagers and their battles with clinical depression or bipolar disorder;
• Insight from family members and friends of depressed teens;
• Interviews with mental health professionals.

An instructional pamphlet accompanies the DVD, making it a suitable tool for teachers, counselors, physicians and teens.

To place an order, Contact Us

Beyond the Book, An In-Depth Interview with Mary A. Fristad, Ph.D. explores issues relevant to children with bipolar disorder and their families. 

Dr. Fristad is the Director of Research and Psychological Services in the Ohio State University Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  She has published over 125 articles and book chapters addressing the assessment and treatment of childhood-onset depression, suicidality and bipolar disorder. (85 minutes, DVD)   

             
Click Here to View Trailer

“In Our Own Words: Teens with Bipolar Disorder” witness the coming together of a group of teens and young adults to share their individual stories of self discovery and their adaptation to living with bipolar disorder.  This poignant expose delivers the experience of bipolar disorder "in their own words."  To order, please print out the order form and fax or mail to The Josselyn Center with payment.

The Infinite Mind: The Bipolar Child audio interview by former NIMH director Fred Goodwin, M.D. Dr. Goodwin observes that bipolar disorder, also called manic depressive illness, is under diagnosed and under treated among adults. For children with this disorder, the problem is even more daunting. These vulnerable kids and their parents are up against a powerful and persistent belief among most mental health professionals that bipolar disorder rarely occurs before adolescence.

When you order products via any of the Amazon.com links on this page, CABF receives a percentage of each purchase.

Acquainted with the Night by Paul Raeburn (Random House, 2004).

A riveting portrayal of a family ravaged by mood disorders and an unflinching assessment of the self-doubt and blame that can split a family asunder.

An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D. (Random House, 1997).

A poignant account of her own experiences with bipolar disorder by a professor at John Hopkins University (and co-author of Manic-Depressive Illness, the definitive medical textbook). This book vividly portrays the impact of bipolar illness on the life of a noted expert (and gifted writer) on this disorder. Publication of this book was a courageous personal act on behalf of all individuals with bipolar disorder (see also her book Touched by Fire).

Touched With Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament by Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D. (The Free Press, 1990).

Bipolar disorder occurs more often among creative writers and artists. A fascinating account of the lives of numerous individuals whose creative work was affected by periods of mania and depression, and who often succumbed to the illness.

Detour: My Bipolar Road Trip in 4-D, by Lizzie Simon (Atria Books, 2002).

Lizzie Simon is 23, a successful theater director living with bipolar disorder, who drives cross-country in search of her "herd". This poignant and well-crafted memoir of her journey and six successful other affected young people opens an intimate window on the day-to-day condition of living with a mood disorder, and explores that shifting area where illness and identity intersect.

His Bright Light: The Story of Nick Traina by Danielle Steel (Delacorte Press, 1998).

The powerful personal story of the childhood and adolescence of a gifted and talented boy with early-onset bipolar disorder. Steel established the Nick Traina Foundation in her son's memory to benefit mental health, music, and child-related causes.

The Life of a Bipolar Child by Trudy Carlson (Benline Press, 1999).

The year-by-year description of a boy's life with emerging bipolar disorder and the effects of his illness on functioning through each year of school until his death at age fourteen. Carlson has become an outspoken advocate of in-school screening to identify children at risk. (Originally published as "The Suicide of my Son").

Madness by Marya Hornbacher (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2008).

When Marya Hornbacher published her first book, Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia, she did not yet know the underlying reason for the constant battle with chaos and terror in her life. Then, at age twenty-four, she was diagnosed with rapid-cycling Bipolar I. How Hornbacher fights her way up from an illness that all but destroys her, and what it is like to live and do her work in a difficult and sometimes beautiful life and marriage—where bipolar always beckons—is at the heart of this brave and heart-stopping memoir.

Manic Depression and Creativity by D. Jablow Hershman, D. and Julian Lieb, M.D. (Promethus Books, 1998).

Charles Dickens and Ludwig Van Beethoven had severe mood swings that began in childhood. An account of the lives of four creative individuals (including Isaac Newton and Vincent Van Gogh) and exploration of how creative people with bipolar disorder can manage the illness to enhance their productivity.

Mind Race: Young, Bipolar and Thriving - A Personal Memoir by Patrick Jamieson, Ph.D. and Moira Rynn, M.D.

Mind Race is the book Patrick Jamieson “searched for and could not find” when he was 15 and living with bipolar disorder. Adolescents and young adults facing the challenges of bipolar disorder today will draw inspiration and information from Mind Race: Young, Bipolar and Thriving - A Personal Memoir. Reflecting on his adolescent years, Jamieson renders a gripping, first-hand account of his struggle with bipolar disorder. The narrative is interwoven with informational chapters on diagnosis, treatment and words of encouragement. --Kate Pravera, CABF Executive Director

Click here to read excerpt.

Skywriting: A Life Out of the Blue by Jane Pauley

A journey to self rediscovery by a famous newscaster who developed bipolar disorder in midlife in reaction to steroids.

Will's Choice: A Suicidal Teen, a Desperate Mother and a Chronicle of Recovery by Gail Griffith. 

"Documents the roller coaster parents find themselves on when a child develops severe depression.  The narrative about the therapeutic boarding school experience is invaluable for parents considering such a placement for their teens."  --Martha Hellander, CABF Founder.

When you order products via any of the Amazon.comlinks on this page, CABF receives a percentage of each purchase.

"Help Me, I’m Sad-Recognizing,Treating, and Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Depression." by Fassler, David. G., M.D., and Lynne S. Dumas, Viking, 1997.

All about childhood depression, how to find doctors and therapists, with brief mention of bipolar disorder.

Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Asperger's, Tourette's, Bipolar, and More! by Martin L. Kutscher M.D.

"Parents of children newly diagnosed, or in the process of being diagnosed, will find the book extremely useful.  Dr. Kutscher writes that the goal of the book is, “to cover multiple neuropsychiatric conditions in one text… striving to show how these syndromes frequently mix together in the same child.” - Iris Johnson

The Thyroid Sourcebook by M. Sara Rosenthal.

Symptoms of hypo- and hyper-thyroidism can mimic symptoms of bipolar disorder (and can be induced by medications commonly used to treat the disorder). Exellent discussion of all aspects of thyroid conditions.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Help for Children and Adolescents by Mitzi Waltz (O'Reilly, 2000).

A thorough, easy-to-follow handbook on this complex neurological condition that addresses numerous important implications of OCD: diagnosis, living with OCD, intervention (therapeutic, medical, and alternative), insurance issues, schooling, and transitions.

Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Tamar E. Chansky, Ph.D., (2000).

Written for parents, with overview of diagnosis, treatment options, how to find the right therapist.

Winter Blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder - What it is and how to overcome it by Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D.

Addresses the seasonal component of mood disorders which often worsen at predictable times, with some information about light treatment and children.

When you order products via any of the Amazon.com links on this page, CABF receives a percentage of each purchase.

Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner by Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston.

Like many CABF families, my family has both a child and a parent who have been diagnosed with bipolar illness.  Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner is a survival guide for the non bipolar partner.  It is a valuable source of  “must know” information about medications; therapy and holistic practices that can help you both stay well." - Iris Johnson 

Married with Special-Needs Children: A Couples' Guide to Keeping Connected by Laura E. Marshak, Ph.D. and Fran P. Prezant, M. Ed., CCC-SLP 

Having a child with special needs can be extremely stressful for caregivers and can exacerbate conflicts, tensions and arguments between parents. The authors draw on their combined professional experience in marital counseling and parent training, and feedback from hundreds of parents of children with disabilities who share their solutions and secrets for a healthy relationship.  This practical, supportive guide addresses a broad range of marital and parenting issues.

When you order products via any of the Amazon.com links on this page, CABF receives a percentage of each purchase.

The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children by Ross W. Greene, Ph.D. (Harper Collins Publishers, 2005).

Parenting techniques that work for children (such as those with bipolar and other brain disorders) who do not adapt well to transitions, have a low frustration tolerance, think in black and white, and whose life is a "never ending string of conflicts and disasters." Techniques can be used as part of a treatment plan that includes medication, especially while waiting for medication to take effect or during relapses. Dr. Greene is on the faculty at Harvard Medical School and is the recipient of a grant from the Stanley Foundation to research application of his techniques to children with bipolar disorder.

If Your Child is Bipolar: The Parent-to-Parent Guide to Living with and Loving a Bipolar Child by Cindy Singer and Sheryl Gurrentz (2004).

Filled with strategies, tips and quotes from parents and children, with wonderful drawings by the kids. Contains helpful chapter on the practicalities of managing meds. Better for parents of younger kids, contains little regarding teens.

Raising a Moody Child: How to Cope with Depression and Bipolar Disorder by Mary A. Fristad, Ph.D. and Jill S. Goldberg Arnold, Ph.D.

Why symptoms look different in children and teens, how to find the right doctor or therapist, and how to help kids develop their own "coping toolkits." A practical guide to everything from dealing with medical crises to resolving school problems, sibling conflicts, and marital stress. Co-author Fristad is a CABF Scientific Advisory Council member and researcher on the benefits of psychoeducation for children with BP and their families.

Survival Strategies for Parenting Children with Bipolar Disorder: Innovative parenting and counseling techniques for helping children with bipolar disorder and the conditions that may occur with it by George Lynn (2001).

Excellent parenting advice and good material on children with co-occuring conditions such as ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome, and Tourette's Syndrome. Explains physiology of affective rages and teaches coping skills for parents. Caution: chapter on alternative treatments contains some questionable material.

Treating Explosive Kids: The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach by Ross Greene (2005).

This book provides a detailed framework for effective, individualized intervention with highly oppositional children and their families.  Dr. Greene is on the faculty at Harvard Medical School and is the recipient of a grant from the Stanley Foundation to research application of his techniques to children with bipolar disorder.

The Ups and Downs of Raising a Bipolar Child by Judith Lederman and Candida Fink, M.D. (2004).

Bipolar disorder has recently been identified as one of the most misunderstood and underdiagnosed conditions affecting children -- and it is dramatically on the rise. The Ups and Downs of Raising a Bipolar Child gives parents the sound advice and expert information they need to cope with this challenging diagnosis, and shows how to provide essential care and support for a bipolar child as well as for the rest of the family.

When you order products via any of the Amazon.com links on this page, CABF receives a percentage of each purchase.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Bipolar Disorder by Monica Basco, Ph.D. and A. John Rush, M.D. (Guilford Press).

Written for professional therapists, but useful for understanding how bipolar patients can be helped by identifying and changing negative thinking patterns. Includes many examples from actual cases. Parents can adapt methods into their parenting style. Authors are on faculty at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Bipolar Disorder: A Family-Focused Treatment Approach by David J. Miklowitz. and Michael J. Goldstein (Guilford Publications, Inc., 1997).

A nine-month outpatient program designed to help adult patients and families understand, accept, and manage the effects of bipolar disorder. Families learn: 1) how to deal with their feelings that their loved one has a serious mental illness, 2) the nature of bipolar disorder, 3) problem solving techniques for difficult situations, 4) how to deal with manic relapses, 5) how to deal with depressive relapses, 6 )what to do when you suspect your bipolar family member of substance abuse, and 7) the suicidal crisis.

I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! ...A Practical Guide for Families and Therapists by Xavier Amador with Anna-Lisa Johanson (Vida Press, 2000).

Lack of insight that one has a brain disorder is a symptom called anosognosia, a dysfunction of the frontal lobes of the brain. Contains guidelines on how families and therapists can help someone accept treatment, how and when to hospitalize and preventing relapse.

When you order products via any of the Amazon.com links on this page, CABF receives a percentage of each purchase.

The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed. Child by Lawrence M. Siegel (NOLO, 2007).

Uniquely Gifted: Identifying and Meeting the Needs of the Twice-Exceptional Student by Kiesa Kay, Ed. (Avocus Publishing, Inc., 2000).

Kids with bipolar disorder may be gifted and have learning disabilities as well. This book is a compilation of parents' stories, researchers' theories, and educators' strategies on how to define, understand and address the needs of students who are both gifted and challenged by learning disabilities and/or a brain disorder.

Wrightslaw: Special Education Law by Peter and Pamela Wrighslaw (Harbor House, 2007).

A Guide to Special Education Advocacy by Matthew Cohen (Jessica Kingsley Pub, 2009).

Disability law can be complex and intimidating, so how can concerned parents use it to ensure their child with a disability receives the appropriate education they are legally entitled to? This book will provide parents, people with disabilities, professionals and clinicians thinking about special education advocacy with an overview of current disability law and how it works, identifying practical ways for building positive and effective relationships with schools.