Survival Strategies for Parenting the Child and Teen with Bipolar Disorder

This is an excellent book about childhood bipolar disorder, filled with information and advice that will be helpful to parents, teachers, and other caretakers of bipolar children. It ranks up there with "The Bipolar Child" and "The Life of a Bipolar Child" as one of the most useful and comprehensive books about the disorder. The quality of writing is pretty high, it's pretty well organized, and the author seems to know what he's talking about. I like to receive information on a complex subject such as childhood bipolar disorder from a variety of sources, and this book, along with the other two I mentioned, would be a good place to start. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".

Since my 6 daughter was recently diagnosed with early-onset bipolar, I've read everything I could get my hands on about the disorder. What makes this book so wonderful is that Lynn recognizes the strengths, not simply the weaknesses, inherent in this condition. He offers straight talk on the hard choices that may or may not lie ahead for parents of these kids, but he also offers a great deal of encouragement: BP is not a parenting error, but a brain disfunction; it's not simply a curse, but also a possible blessing. Because of my family's situation, the sections on conditions that are sometimes co-morbid with BP (Tourettes, ADHD, Asberger's) really weren't that helpful--which was disappointing because the other sections were so wonderful I wanted more there. But still--definitely skip the Mitzi Waltz book (mostly down-side information, maybe appropriate for kids in the worst-case scenarios, but not reassuring), but add this one along with _The Bipolar Child_ by Papolos, and you'll have a good collection of specific parenting suggestions along with the basics on medication and other choices. But this book was the first to really give me a sense of hope.

This book was detailed and specific. I left feeling hopeful - that yes, my child fit the Bipolar description to a "T" but that at least I could be sure she'd been diagnosed properly. Especially helpful was the chapter describing the difference between an ADHD 'meltdown' and a Bipolar 'rage.' There ARE differences - I wonder why it is so hard to explain the experiences to psychiatrists treating our children. It was also very helpful to be able to go down the list and see what the doctors are looking for to make a diagnosis - what they are talking about, the current wisdom on just what is happening in our children's brains when the rage happens - I can't endorse this book enough. I would like to buy a copy for anyone who is wondering "Is it possible my child has Bipolar? Or is it all in MY mind?" This book told me the doctor was right - I am now more certain than the doctor that this is my child's difficulty.BUY THIS BOOK!

George Lynn, a certified mental health counselor practicing in Washington State, shatters old paradigms in this new book about bipolar disorder. Lynn provides a front-row seat into the minds of individuals with bipolar disorder, and in-depth knowledge of bipolar coupled with Aspergers, Tourettes, or ADHD. I was fascinated by his compassionate approach while providing a firm foundation of no-nonsense strategies. And though written for parents, others will benefit from this book: family members, friends, school personnel, and other professionals.Case histories fill the pages with real people and their hopes, dreams, struggles. This book provides perspective that will empower you to live with and help children with bipolar disorder. Clearly a resource that should be in every library and in the hands of all whose lives are touched by bipolar disorder.