Intense Minds: Through the Eyes of Young People with Bipolar Disorder

Parents of bipolar kids are among my favorite people. Despite the terrible illness that brings us together, I always manage to part company on a feel-good note. Maybe it's their love and dedication and intelligence and optimism in the face of circumstances that would leave anyone else embittered and demoralized. Maybe it's their sixth sense for projecting the kind of empathy that can't be faked. One of these individuals is Tracy Anglada, whom I met last summer at a conference in Stockton, CA that featured Dr Papolos and Janice Papolos. I was there in a dual role as a reporter for this Newsletter and to work up a pre-publication buzz for my soon-to-be-released book. The organizers of the conference kindly allowed me a table to exhibit my wares. One of my fellow exhibitors was Tracy, and we found lots of time to talk. Tracy is a Florida mom who started up her own organization, BPChildren, dedicated to helping young people and adults understand more about pediatric bipolar. She is the author of "Intense Minds: Through the Eyes of Young People with Bipolar Disorder." One quick look at the opening paragraphs, and you will drop everything you're doing: "A broad smile spread across my son's face. His eyes shone brightly and he turned to me to share his good news. What was the cause of excitement for my 6-year-old son? We were at a meeting, and the speaker was describing the horrible plight of the Biblical man Job. "'Job was so sick, he wanted to die,' said the speaker. "What was my son's good news in response to that statement? Two simple words: "Like me!" He had finally found someone he could relate to, someone else who wanted to die. It was comforting for him to know he was not alone. It was no comfort to me. As a parent, those were the worst words I could have heard." This is a book where the kids (or adults recalling their tormented childhoods) get to tell their stories. It's designed for kids to read, but any clinician or educator or other interested party who does not buy a copy is guilty of malpractice. Listen: "I was told how retarded, demonized and horrible a child I was. So I never felt I was wonderful or good." (Dawn) "I was trying to survive in an environment that was not the same to me as it was to other people." (Tasha) "It feels like a ping pong ball going from one side to the other in my head - one bounce telling me to stay quiet, the other bounce telling me to scream." (Tim) "My dreams were scary. I was zipped in a bag of water in my closet drowning, while bad guys were trying to kill my daddy." (Steven) In case you still think we're forcing meds on kids: "I would have been better off being treated if I had been diagnosed properly. I was miserable as a child. Horribly miserable." (Lee) And, last but not least, the good we can take away from all this: "I use this illness to my advantage. Be strong and remember where you have been and what you have been through. If I beat those days, I can beat anything now that I know the

I really, really love this book. As I was reading, I thought of many people I would like to share it with. Even after living with this disease for 5 years, I still found much to learn. I saw my kids, and I caught a glimmer of what they must be experiencing, but cannot express in words. Thank you so much for writing it. .....Mother of two children with bipolar disorder

If you have ever wondered what it must be like to be a child with Bi-polar disorder then you must read Intense Minds. It offers an insight to such a depth of feeling, that it is hard to look at these children the same way ever again. I hope that anyone who has any contact with such a child would read this book and understand the chaos reigning in such a small place.

This is a must read book for every parent, educator, family member and friend of a child with pediatric bipolar disorder in order to bring understanding, awareness and acceptance of the individual." With attention to detail and Ms. Anglada's exceptional literary skill the reader who is not personally affected by bipolar disorder is able to walk a few steps in the shoes of another. Thank you Ms. Anglada for providing me as a parent the opportunity to walk for a minute in my child's shoes!! Mother of a 15 year old child with bipolar disorder

"It's been said that 98% of the problem is realizing there is one. Intense Minds is a crash course in understanding the illness with a message of hope and compassion for children suffering with bipolar disorder." Thank You, a Grandfather of bipolar children