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NAMI-MC Book Reviews:
By Judy Baassler
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The Bipolar Child
Demitri Papolos, M.D., and Janice Papolos
authors of the classic text, OVERCOMING DEPRESSION, the first book about
early-onset bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder-- manic-depression--was once thought to be rare in children. Now researchers are
discovering that not only can bipolar disorder begin very early in life, it is much more common
than ever imagined. Yet the illness is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. Why? Bipolar
disorder manifests itself differently in children than in adults, and in children there is an
overlap of symptoms with other childhood psychiatric disorders.
As a result, these children may be given any number of psychiatric labels: "ADHD," "Depressed,"
"Oppositional Defiant Disorder," "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder," or "Separation Anxiety
Disorder." Too often they are treated with stimulants or antidepressants--medications
which can actually worsen the bipolar condition.
The Bipolar Child demystifies this confusing disorder of childhood. Drawing upon recent
advances in the fields of neuroscience and genetics, the Papoloses convey what is known
and not known about the illness. They comprehensively detail diagnosis, how to find good
treatment, medications, and advise parents how to effectively advocate for their children at
school. Included in these pages is the first Individual Education Plan--IEP--ever published for a bipolar
child. The book also offers critical information about the stage of adolescence, hospitalization, the world of insurance, and the psychological impact the illness has on the child.
The Bipolar Child is rich with the voices of parents, siblings and the children themselves, opening
up the long-closed world of the families struggling with this condition. An invaluable resource
for parents whose children suffer from mood disorders, as well as
the professionals who treat and educate them, this book will prove to have major public health
significance for years to come |
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New Hope for People with Bipolar Disorder
by Jan Fawcett, M.D., Bernard Golden, Ph.D. and Nancy
Rosenfeld
Nancy Rosenfeld, a bipolar disorder survivor herself, along with her two co-authors Jan Fawcett, M.D., and
Bernard Golden, Ph.D. have created the one book that intelligently and sensitively gives sufferers and
their families hope and encouragement.
This easy-to-read book demystifies the illness and teaches without scaring.
New Hope...is not a "feel good" pseudo panacea directed to sufferers, families and
friends of sufferers of what is popularly known as Depression and Manic-Depressive illness. The authors assure their readers that he and she are not their illness. Public awareness, now, embraces most
physical illness and disease as having causes that are not the "fault" of the patient. Emotional
and mental dysfunction have not yet been accorded similar understanding
and respect. The absolute interconnections among physical, emotional and mental
discomforts are valid and necessary lessons we must learn. New Hope...is a mighty blow against
overwhelming, prevailing ignorance.
A sufferer with Bipolar disorder is often told to "get over it." Or condemned as a
moral coward. The authors demonstrate through science, compassion and experience that the diseases' combination of bio-chemical, genetic and environmental factors are real, not imaginary.
The book can be read as a factual presentation into the most prevalent, misunderstood and ignored
physical-emotional-mental illness in current society. It can be used as an up to the moment reference and source for personal, medical and psycho-social answers and assistance. Its most important value may be to assault and dispel fear and ignorance about emotional-mental illness. The seamless collaboration by a
medical practitioner, a psychologist and a patient on equal terms is an example of the best kind of interactions for all of us.
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