The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood's Most Misunderstood Disorder, 3rd Edition. Demitri Papolos & Janice Papolos. $21.99

Early-onset bipolar disorder is now considered to be "much more common than ever imagined. Yet the illness is often misdiagnosed or overlooked" and "these kids may be given any number of psychiatric labels: 'ADHD,' 'depressed,' 'Oppositional Defiant Disorder,' 'Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder,' or 'Separation Anxiety Disorder'"...and in consequence are inappropriately treated.
 
"Drawing upon recent advances in the fields of neuroscience and genetics, the Papoloses comprehensively detail the diagnosis, tell how to find good treatment and medications," and discuss behavioural strategies and advocacy issues. Included is the first Individual Education Plan (IEP) "ever published for a bipolar child." 

Drawing upon the real questions asked by patients and families during his nearly twenty years as a bipolar specialist, Wes Burgess comprehensively tackles every area of the disorder. The Bipolar Handbook answers questions regarding the causes and treatment; strategies for creating a healthy lifestyle; as well as the prevention of, coping with, and treatment of bipolar episodes. Dr. Burgess also addresses unique lifestyle concerns facing bipolar individuals.

Bipolar Kids: Helping Your Child Find Calm in the Mood Storm. Rosalie Greenberg, $31.50

Once considered an adult illness, bipolar disorder in children often it goes misdiagnosed, and children can be prescribed medication that only worsens the condition. Child psychiatrist Rosalie Greenberg offers families practical and reassuring advice for anyone struggling to help a child locate that elusive inner calm. With a revolutionary approach that sees the brilliance, the sweetness, the creativity in these kids, Dr. Greenberg opens a window onto these misunderstood children. She takes the reader through the different scenarios that may occur with bipolar kids, from daring manic phases to sudden periods of overwhelming sadness. She spells out the "whys" behind the condition; shows parents how best to navigate the peaks and valleys of bipolar; and provides parents with the assurance that they need not tackle this illness alone. Most important, she encourages adults to listen to what children say through the maze of their mania and depression, for this can make all the difference in diagnosing and successfully managing bipolar. Bipolar Kids offers parents much-needed understanding, guidance and hope.

Bipolar and Pregnant: How to Manage and Succeed in Planning and Parenting While Living with Manic Depression. Kristin Finn, $17.95

“Kristin Finn was diagnosed with manic depression as a teenager. Upon deciding to become pregnant, she and her husband had questions, concerns, and fears. Recognizing that there was no go-to guide that helps women with manic depression navigate pre-natal, pregnancy, and postpartum issues, Finn collaborated with geneticists, obstetricians, psychologists, and psychiatrists to create this ultimate support-group-in-a-book and pregnancy resource.”

The Bipolar Teen: What You Can Do to Help Your Child and Your Family. David Miklowitz & Elizabeth George, $20.95

“Bipolar disorder is difficult at any age, but it can be particularly daunting for teenagers and their families. 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 so every family member — including siblings without the illness — can find the stability and support they need.”

The Bipolar Workbook for Teens. Sheri Van Dijk & Karma Guindon, $18.95

The Bipolar Workbook for Teens includes exercises and worksheets that will help adolescents learn skills drawn from a special technique called dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). DBT skills can help people with bipolar disorder improve their relationships with friends and family and calm themselves when their emotions get really overwhelming. Working through this book will help youth to:

• Recognize and respond to emotional triggers
• Create a crisis plan and find support
• Get a handle on addictive behavior
• Maintain friendships and get along with family

“Drawing on the latest research in bipolar disorder, stress, and health, this step-by-step guide offers a complete selection of livable, workable solutions to manage bipolar disorder … You'll be able to find successful ways to regulate your moods, relieve your stress, improve your thought processes, and break the bipolar cycle--for a happier, healthier life.”

Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychopharmacology Made Simple, 2nd Edition. John Preston, John O'Neal & Mary Talaga, $23.95

Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychopharmacology Made Simple offers parents and professionals up-to-date information on medications for the treatment of children and teens suffering from psychological disorders. Fully revised and updated, this second edition includes new research and information on psychoactive medications for autism, ADHD, child-onset bipolar disorder and a variety of other common psychological conditions. Also included are fact sheets that clearly delineate frequently prescribed medications for each disorder along with medication side effects and signs of toxicity.

Straightforward answers and explanations written in an easy, practical manner help you understand your child and develop a plan for success.

“This pragmatic, accessible book provides a complete framework for individualized assessment and treatment of bipolar disorder. It addresses the complexities of working with individuals with broadly varying histories and clinical presentations … Extensive case material illustrates proven strategies for conceptualizing patients' needs and working collaboratively to help them adhere to medication treatments, recognize the early warning signs of manic and depressive episodes, build coping skills, and manage specific symptoms. The second edition is a complete revision of the original volume, updated and restructured to be even more user friendly for clinicians.”

Do people with schizophrenia ever get better? With the vast majority of those with the disorder dependent on their families for care, close relatives often grapple with that question. The Complete Family Guide to Schizophrenia walks readers through a range of treatment and support options that can lead to a better life for the entire family. Individual chapters highlight special issues for parents, siblings, and partners, while other sections provide tips for dealing with problems including cognitive difficulties, substance abuse, and psychosis. Families learn to help their loved ones manage day-to-day tasks, develop friendships, and set personal life goals. This compassionate, practical resource helps families stay connected to the individual behind the disorder so they can work together toward recovery.

Coping with Bipolar Disorder: a CBT-informed Guide to Living with Manic Depression. Steven Jones, Peter Hayward & Dominic Lam, $19.95

Coping with Bipolar Disorder draws on the combined expertise of three leading specialists to offer a comprehensive and practical guide to living with the symptoms and effects of bipolar disorder. Using a foundation of cognitive behavioural therapy it provides straightforward help with managing and controlling the condition.

The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Bipolar Disorder: Using DBT to Regain Control of Your Emotions and Your Life. Sheri Van Dijk, $28.95

Even if you've just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it's likely that you've been living with it for a long time. You've probably already developed your own ways of coping with recurring depression, the consequences of manic episodes, and the constant, uncomfortable feeling that you're at the mercy of your emotions. Some of these methods may work; others might do more harm than good. The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Bipolar Disorder will help you integrate your coping skills with an effective dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) plan for living well with bipolar disorder.

The four DBT skills you'll learn in this workbook—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—will help you manage your emotional ups and downs and minimize the frequency and intensity of depressive and manic episodes. By using this book in conjunction with medication and professional care, you'll soon experience relief from your bipolar symptoms and come to enjoy the calm and confident feeling of being in control.

Facing Bipolar: the Young Adult's Guide to Dealing with Bipolar Disorder. Russ Federman & J. Anderson Thomson, $19.95

When you travel to a new city, it helps to have a map close at hand. On the first day of school, you need to have your schedule of classes. And if you've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or suspect you may have it, then it's even more important to have a guidebook within reach.

Facing Bipolar will help you navigate the world of medications, therapists, and the up-and-down mood cycles common to the disorder. It clearly explains what bipolar disorder is and provides sound guidance for developing the necessary coping skills to manage its impact on your life.

Finding Your Bipolar Muse: How to Master Depressive Droughts and Manic Floods and Access Your Creative Power. Lana Castle, $20.95

“Lana Castle draws from research, interviews, surveys, and her own experience to examine what bipolar disorder and depression bring to the creative mix. Drawing from forty-five years experience in the arts, Castle shares first-hand knowledge, tools, and resources to help both aspiring and professional “creatives” affected by mood disorders overcome challenges and move forward. Illuminating and inspiring, Castle's new book helps artists of all types deal with depressive droughts and manic floods. With sensitivity and grace, Castle explains how “creatives” can tap their talents to recover their lives. Readers will learn how to: manage medications and treatment without thwarting creativity; find focus; set daily, weekly, and monthly goals; develop self-esteem and independence; use their creative talents to generate income.”

Healing Depression & Bipolar Disorder Without Drugs features author Gracelyn Guyol’s own story and those of others who have cured or managed their depression and bipolar disorder using only natural therapies — including diet, vitamins, herbal treatments, and energy healing. This practical guide offers patients possible alternatives to psychiatric drugs and to improving their over-all health.

“In an era of de-institutionalization and managed care, parents and other adults, such as teachers and coaches, will become the first line of defense against this serious disease that typically attacks people the late teens or early twenties. If Your Adolescent Has Schizophrenia is an informative guide, written specifically to help adults spot the warning signs and seek appropriate treatment for the young people in their lives … and will offer readers trusted information and support that will enable them to confront this disorder head on and get their children meaningful medical and psychosocial help in order to mitigate its effects.”

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.

“Living with Bipolar Disorder is designed to help patients and their families develop the skills they need to be a good consumer of treatment and to become an expert partner in the management of bipolar disorder. It includes information about the details of living with bipolar disorder, gives advice on the best ways to avoid relapses, and teaches how to anticipate problems. The book includes a wealth of information on effective strategies to reduce the likelihood of episodes of depression or mania and maximize the enjoyment of life.”

Mind Race is a first-person account, aimed at teens who have recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Diagnosed with the disorder at age fifteen, Patrick Jamieson discusses his own challenges and triumphs, and offers advice on dealing with developing symptoms such as how to recognize the beginning of a mood shift. In accessible language, he presents the latest in scientific research on the disorder, treatment options, and how to cope with side effects of different medications. He includes a detailed F.A.Q. that answers the questions a newly diagnosed adolescent is likely to have, and also offers suggestions on how to communicate with friends and family about the bipolar experience. With Mind Race, Jamieson offers hope to teens and young adults living with bipolar disorder, helping them to navigate and overcome their challenges so they can lead a full and rewarding life.

“With insight and intimacy, Kate McLaughlin candidly shares the realities of parenting children with Bipolar Disorder; and paints a vivid and moving literary picture — honestly conveying the physical realities and battered emotions of a family caught in the swirling storm of a child’s hallucinations and psychosis. This book supports, educates, and informs the reader, offering hope and encouragement to anyone living with chronic illness or raising teens.”

“The second edition of New Hope for People with Bipolar Disorder provides up-to-date treatments and compassionate guidance for anyone affected by bipolar disorder—from the recently diagnosed to chronic sufferers and their families. You’ll receive tips from world-renowned experts and learn about vital new options and innovations in bipolar treatment and research.”

Parenting a Bipolar Child: What to Do and Why. Gianni Faedda & Nancy Austin, $21.95

When a child or adolescent is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it’s hard for his or her parents to know exactly what to do. Parenting a Bipolar Child offers 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, the book also details 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.

Parenting Your Complex Child: Become a Powerful Advocate for the Autistic, Down Syndrome, PDD, Bipolar, or Other Special-Needs Child. Peggy Lou Morgan, $21.95

The unique tracking and documentation tools in Parenting Your Complex Child help parents adapt to their child’s challenges, create routines that support the child’s needs, communicate those needs to busy professionals and be taken seriously by them. The book also helps parents lay the groundwork for care to continue after they themselves can no longer provide it. Compassionate, practical, and proven, Parenting Your Complex Child helps parents ensure that life-changing decisions are based on the best interests of the child — and on the best information available.

Purple Mamma. Tricia Prato, $10.95

This picture book/workbook for young children looks at life with a parent who has a mental illness.

Raising a Moody Child — How to Cope with Depression and Bipolar Disorder. Mary Fristad and Jill Goldberg Arnold, $21.95

• Give kids the skills to manage their moods with a personalized "coping toolkit"
• Keep challenging conduct from turning home and school into battlegrounds
• Safeguard your couple relationship when parenting stress mounts
• Make the best treatment decisions, find the right professional help, stay alert to common diagnostic errors

The road to god knows … a graphic novel. Von Allen, $15.75

The road to god knows … is the story of Marie, a teenage girl coming to grips with her mother’s schizophrenia. There’s no handbook, no guide to help her deal with what life throws at her as she struggles to grow up fast, and wrestles with poverty, loneliness and her mother’s illness.

Scattershot: My Bipolar Family, a Memoir. David Lovelace, $18.50

Four out of five people in David Lovelace’s immediate family have experienced bipolar disorder— including David himself. Scattershot is a coming-of-age story punctuated by truly harrowing experiences. This devastating and empathetic portrait of the Lovelace family strips away the shame associated with bipolar disorder and celebrates the profound creative gifts that come with it.

Swivel to Success: Bipolar Disorder in the Classroom. Tracy Anglada, $18.95

A teacher’s guide to understanding and helping students with bipolar disorder succeed at school.

Treating Bipolar Disorder: a Clinician's Guide to Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy. Ellen Frank, $28.50

This innovative manual presents a powerful approach for helping people manage bipolar illness and protect against the recurrence of manic or depressive episodes. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy focuses on stabilizing moods by improving medication adherence, building coping skills and relationship satisfaction, and shoring up the regularity of daily rhythms or routines. Each phase of this flexible, evidence-based treatment is vividly detailed, from screening, assessment, and case conceptualization through acute therapy, maintenance treatment, and periodic booster sessions. Among the special features are reproducible assessment tools and a chapter on how to overcome specific treatment challenges.

Understanding the Mind of Your Bipolar Child: the Complete Guide to the Development, Treatment and Parenting of Children with Bipolar Disorder. Gregory Lombardo, $16.95

Understanding the Mind of the Bipolar Child is essential reading for any parent who wants to best help their child. Bipolar disorder is one of the most frequently diagnosed youth mental health diseases with effects not only on a child’s mood and behavior but on the way the world comes at them and, consequently, on the way they think. The intensity with which a bipolar child perceives things can be the source of creativity and artistic talent, but it can also be a source of confusion and disorganization. If parents can understand the effects of bipolar disorder on their child, they can help him to better navigate school, friendships, and family relationships.

In this compassionate and optimistic book, expert clinician and renowned researcher Mani Pavuluri delivers step-by-step strategies for reducing or eliminating problems with mania, depression, aggression, sleep disturbances, and other symptoms. Crucially, What Works for Bipolar Kids also emphasizes practical ways to maintain a positive atmosphere at home and to help these kids stay balanced, focus on their achievements, and feel good about themselves.

When Someone You Love Is Bipolar: Help and Support for You and Your Partner. Cynthia Last, $20.50

When bipolar disorder afflicts the person you love, you suffer too. How have other couples learned to manage the relationship strains caused by this illness? What can you do to provide your partner with truly helpful nurturance and support? No one cares more deeply about these questions than Dr. Cynthia Last, a highly regarded therapist/researcher who also has bipolar disorder. Sharing stories and solutions from her own experience and the couples she has treated, Dr. Last offers heartfelt, practical guidance for getting through the out-of-control highs and the devastating lows—together. Learn how you can help your spouse come to terms with a bipolar diagnosis, get the most out of treatment, and reduce or prevent future mood episodes, while also taking care of yourself.