Can I get a recommdation?

Anyone suggest a good book on Bi-polar Disorder in adolescents? My daughters
good friend is bi-polar and just recently has an episode at school and
wanted to kill herself and now in a good treatment center. I like to be able
to explain what is happening a bit better.

Tiff

'Kate wrote in message ...
On Wed, 31 Mar 2004 10:10:31 -0500, "Tiffany"
Anyone suggest a good book on Bi-polar Disorder in adolescents? My
daughters
good friend is bi-polar and just recently has an episode at school and
wanted to kill herself and now in a good treatment center. I like to be
able
to explain what is happening a bit better.

Tiff

I don't know if there is a book that specifically deals with teens and
bi-polar disorder. I can find studies but they're very dry reading.
There are websites for and by bipolar teens. I would suggest that you
read them before you expose your child to them.

Teens can be misdiagnosed and this seems to be especially true of female
teens. PMS and typical teen mood swings play a role in this.

A quote about bipolar disorder:
"Everyone experiences the occasional unexplained mood swing. Maybe it's
the weather, PMS, or just a bad day that throws you into the blue zone.
Maybe it's sunny skies, hearing your favorite song first thing in the
morning, or looking forward to a special event that kicks off one of
those "good vibration" days when nothing can go wrong. The important
thing is that the blues go away before too long, and the enjoyable sense
of euphoria doesn't get you in trouble. People with bipolar disorders,
however, experience mood swings that go far beyond the norm. Their moods
swing low and keep dropping until life doesn't feel worth living
anymore. They swing so high that they lose touch with reality, making
rash decisions and behaving wildly. Moods may cycle so rapidly that the
person literally can't function. When these symptoms occur during the
all-important years of childhood and adolescence, they can be especially
devastating, disrupting normal development."

The bottom line on bipolar disorder is that it varies among people
affected. This is why it's hard to get the right mix of meds to quell
both the highs and lows. We don't know the exact mechanism that creates
the mood swings but we do know that they exist. It is extremely hard to
feel out of control and affected folks who are working to control their
symptoms are some of the strongest people I've ever met. Unfortunately,
because of the variablity of the disorder, it's hard to list specific
symptoms that fit each person. I'm not sure that there is a
one-size-fits-all book. I'm checking the library at my campus for book
titles and brief reviews...

Mitzi Waltz seems to be listed as author of quite a few books
bipolar disorder and teens. One was available online via the library
website with a 24 hour check out. I glanced through it but it was
mostly geared to adult parents of adolescents with bipolar disorder. It
isn't easy reading and not terribly appropriate for a teen friend but it
was well organized and well written. I wouldn't recommend it for a teen.

here's one site:

http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/bipolar.htm

This was better. It is geared toward teens and gives an idea of the
signs and symptoms and what to do if a friend is at risk:

http://www.lorenbennett.org/childguide.htm

I liked how this was written:
http://www.psychologyinfo.com/depression/teens.htm

I'm sure you'll find others. I wish I had the time to find something
better for you. Please do read these first before you let your daughter
look at them (have I said that enough?) :-)

'Kate




Wow.... thanks. I will definitely check that all out later. My daughter
won't be reading anything, its more or less so I can better explain what is
happening and why. I just need to explain it in a way she can understand for
one, so that when the friend gets out of the hospital, she won't feel
awkward. Plus knowledge on my end is always a good thing. I have clients
whom deal with someone they love with bi-polar.
Thanks again.

T

Jezzz.... please excuse that horrible misspelling. That will teach me to
type minus the glasses.

T
Tiffany wrote in message
...
Anyone suggest a good book on Bi-polar Disorder in adolescents? My
daughters
good friend is bi-polar and just recently has an episode at school and
wanted to kill herself and now in a good treatment center. I like to be
able
to explain what is happening a bit better.

Tiff

'Kate wrote in message ...
On Wed, 31 Mar 2004 18:44:27 -0500, "Tiffany"
Jezzz.... please excuse that horrible misspelling. That will teach me to
type minus the glasses.

T

what misspellings? I may need to get glasses. LOL

'Kate


look at the subject heading..... lol

T

"Tiffany" wrote in message ...
Anyone suggest a good book on Bi-polar Disorder in adolescents? My daughters
good friend is bi-polar and just recently has an episode at school and
wanted to kill herself and now in a good treatment center. I like to be able
to explain what is happening a bit better.

Go here
http://www.bipolaraware.co.uk/booklist.html
Look for Diamond Behind my Eyes.
Also, but not on the list is an excellent Irish publication "Coping
With Depression and Elation" by Dr. Patrick McKeon, (Sheldon Press)
These two helped me when I was looking for understanding.

Dennis

"Dennis Here" wrote in message
om...
"Tiffany" wrote in message
...
Anyone suggest a good book on Bi-polar Disorder in adolescents? My
daughters
good friend is bi-polar and just recently has an episode at school and
wanted to kill herself and now in a good treatment center. I like to be
able
to explain what is happening a bit better.

Go here
http://www.bipolaraware.co.uk/booklist.html
Look for Diamond Behind my Eyes.
Also, but not on the list is an excellent Irish publication "Coping
With Depression and Elation" by Dr. Patrick McKeon, (Sheldon Press)
These two helped me when I was looking for understanding.

Dennis

Thanks. I will check them out. Her friend got out of the hospital yesterday.
The mother said she was up and down while in the hospital. She was very
angry about being there. I imagine it takes some time to regulate her meds
though.

Tiffany