The Bipolar Teen: What You Can Do to Help Your Child and Your Family

As a family therapist who treats teens with bipolar as well as other disorders, I think The Bipolar Teen does an excellent job of explaining behavior that has probably been very confusing and distressing to parents. Dr's Miklowitz and George take the reader step by step through the experience of the teen, possible causal factors for manic and depressive episodes, ways to minimize or avoid them and validate the difficulties for all involved. I will be using this comprehensive book as a guide for parents of bipolar children and teens. I see it as a wonderful way for parents to help their children and themselves both in a therapeutic environment and independently. So much attention goes to the child suffering with this disorder that parents can become overwhelmed, constantly seeking answers to the mystery of unpredictable mood swings and behaviors. I think this book will help parents navigate the difficult waters and will also aid them in advocating for their child's treatment and needs. Cynthia Brody MFT Moraga, CA

The only book I could find that really focuses on the teen experience from the parent's perspective. It covers the phases a parent goes through emotionally from the onset of his or her child's symptoms until the illness is brought under control. It offers description of what bi-polar looks like in a teen that makes it easier to share with family what you as a parent are going through without having to discuss in detail the particulars of your child's situation.

I CANNOT recommend this book strongly enough! If you have a BP teen or soon-to-be teen DEFINATELY buy this book! Such questions as "is it BP or is it regular obstinate teen?", IEPs, social anxiety, medications, different therapies for different teens, etc. This book covers it ALL! Easy to read and understand. Many "if this scenerio than use this technique" type descriptions as well. This book goes with me everywhere as I read it over and over. Also bought The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide by the same author/doctor which my 15 yo is reading and also just LOVES it! We now have MANY MORE open and frank discussions on her challenges with both of us now able to understand the disorder better and also how she responds to it better. Again- if you are a parent of a BP teen- BUY THIS BOOK!!!!

A well-organized, empathetic, and truthful book about bipolar disorder in teens. When I first started my journey with my child I could not get a straight answer from anyone. Miklowitz gives straight answers - which I find refreshing and honest. There is no sugarcoating here, but he is not fatalistic at all. I did not find this book discouraging, I felt affirmed in what I already know. We want science in dealing with mental health disorders and there is plenty to go around, but those of us who are on the frontlines need experienced opinions and on the ground knowledge of how to tackle some very difficult behaviors and we need to be able to understand as much as possible. Difficult subjects are discussed in terms that are not alarming. Advice is given from the studies they've done and the clients they've worked with in practice. I have to say, that's all I ever really wanted. I knew there were no answers, I just wanted some strategies. No matter where you are on your journey with your child, this book will give you the tools you will need. Does it contain everything you need to know? No, not one book can do that, but it certainly comes close. I am very grateful for the work they've done and for sharing it so honestly and openly. Hope you have a chance to visit my blog (...)

Every parent of a teen with bipolar disorder should own this book. Using real life examples of parents and teens, the authors illustrate so many of the problems you face on a daily basis, such as: knowing when it's your teen and when it's the bipolar talking; how to solve school problems; how to restore peace at home; and even how to deal with suicidal thinking. This book is an easy read, without "doctor-speak," and uses charts, examples, checklists, your own fill-in-the-blanks, bullet-pointed information, and actual quotes and stories of real parents and teens to get the information across. I was very impressed with this book.