Customer Reviews

The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood's Most Misunderstood Disorder

5 star:		(106)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

This exceptional book is an in-depth, yet easy-to-read, "bible" on early-onset (childhood) bipolar disorder. It covers every aspect of this devastating and misunderstood illness--from genetics, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment/medications to impact on the family, educational implications, and insurance. Throughout the book, there are detailed, personal accounts (provided by parents of bipolar children) that shed light on the "everyday" lives of children with this illness. These accounts complement the more technical, medical discussions, making it easy for the layman to fully grasp all aspects of the illness.

The sections that that describe the differences between adult bipolar disorder and early-onset bipolar disorder are particularly impressive. The sections on other diagnostic categories (such as ADHD which is frequently a "misdiagnosis" with tragic results) are equally impressive.

In short, this book ought to be "required" reading for everyone involved in the life of a bipolar child, including parents, relatives, teachers, therapists, and doctors. As the parent of a child diagnosed ten years ago at age five with bipolar disorder, I can say with confidence that this book more than lives up to its subtitle, "The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood's Most Misunderstood Disorder." It is a medical reference book, parent handbook, educational planning book, treatment roadmap, and book of hope--all rolled into one!

One might argue that the authors attempted to squeeze too much information between one set of covers. It does seem that there are actually two books here: one, a medical analysis of the etiology of Bipolar Disorder, particularly early onset in very young children; and another book guiding parents in recognizing the symptoms and navigating the medical, insurance, and governmental mazes to obtain treatment for their children. Be that as it may, the authors have written a very provocative treatment of Bipolar Disorder that brings into print what psychiatrists, mental health professionals, and many parents have been concerned about for some time. For the past decade or so, there has been growing concern about the precision of children's diagnoses vis-à-vis Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. While many parents and school officials wonder if the ADHD diagnosis is rendered too often, there is another school of thought emerging that as many as a third of ADHD diagnoses are in reality cases of early onset Bipolar Disorder.

The authors are not alarmists; their stance, research, and professional networking is mainstream. But this work is alarming. It argues from the testimony of hundreds of parents connected to the authors from around the country by the Internet, that their children were much more violently ill than DSM-IV criteria for ADHD would admit, and that traditional ADHD treatments were not working, in fact making the situations worse. Admitting that the ADHD/bipolar differential is tricky for the diagnostician, the authors have arrived at useful clinical clues. For example, when a hyperactive child breaks something, more often than not he is angry with himself for his clumsiness. The bipolar child, on the other hand, often demonstrates an outward rage or anger with his destructive actions directed at family and peers. The Papoloses note also that bipolar children are more inclined to night terrors and violent imagination in story telling and art work.

The authors point out that pediatric pharmacology in the treatment of early-onset Bipolar Disorder is extremely critical and presents a wide array of problems. As noted above, Bipolar Disorder can be mistaken for ADHD. The standard medication for the latter has been stimulants, which unfortunately will severely aggravate the manic tendencies of the bipolar client. Other clients may present as depressed, and even though the FDA has severely cautioned against the use of SSRI's with depressed children, it has not forbidden their use outright. In children and adults, SSRI's have been found to trigger manic episodes where the depressed mood was a feature of misdiagnosed Bipolar Disorder.

Even when the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder is correctly made, the medication problems for children are significant. Over the years the common practice has been the use of such mood stabilizers as Lithium and Depakote. These medications have required regular blood work, which has made compliance an issue with children who naturally despise needles. More recently, anticonvulsant and atypical psychotic medications have proven useful in severe cases. However, these medications involve significant side effects ranging from aggravated weight gain and acne to such extremes as facial distortions and the other trademark symptoms of psychotic medications. The Papoloses examine each medication, pro and con, to assist parents and practitioners in treating and educating their clients.

Parents are reminded that dating back to 1973 federal law has mandated the educational opportunities of children with mental disorders. In a similar vein, children's rights to medical treatment, including institutionalization for weeks or months, are also reviewed under the provisions of Medicare and Medicaid, among other plans. The authors are thorough in spelling out the rights and the best procedures to follow in dealing with the bureaucracies of government, schools, and insurance companies. A number of useful organizations, with phone numbers and web sites, are provided. However, in the two states whose budgets I monitor, New York and Florida, Medicaid funding for children has been significantly reduced due to strapped state budgets. At this writing, California is considering wholesale reduction of service as well. Consequently, even those parents who are faithful to the advice rendered by the Papoloses may have difficulty in accessing service. The authors' advice here, while correct may be a bit too rosy in the present health care environment. In addition, I attempted to use several of the web sites, and some of them have been disbanded.

But in the final analysis, this work fulfills what I think were the intentions of the authors. First, it provides assurances to parents that the bizarre and deeply troubling behavior of their children may have organic causes for which they are not responsible. Caregivers are reminded that they are not alone, that they have rights, and most importantly, that there are support groups and practitioners who are beginning to understand the scope of their problems. Second, this work is successful in encouraging practitioners to think more expansively about the pervasiveness of early-onset Bipolar Disorder. Until fairly recently popular wisdom had that Bipolar Disorder was "a grownup's disorder." Today any practitioner will tell you that in the absence of significant personal and family history, the establishment of a bipolar diagnosis is extremely difficult. So much the more for children, particularly when we are not conditioned to routinely look for manic depressive features.

The Papoloses also discuss the troubling prospect that disorders of mood are gradually increasing in scope and intensity in America and appearing at earlier ages than ever before. I do not expect that this contention will go unchallenged. But if the authors are anywhere near correct in this contention, our research into the causes and treatment of many children's mental disorders, which now appear inherited and to emanate from the frontal regions of the brain, must accelerate not only for the safety of our children and families, but as a humane gesture to their suffering.

I am so glad that his book became available when it did -- my 13 year old son was just diagnosed with bipolar disorder in November, 1999 after a two week stay in the hospital for mania. Just a year before, he was hospitalized with ADHD and depression for a week. He was diagnosed ADHD at the age of 6. Over the years, he was very moody and had many up and down periods. The stimulants and antidepressants actually made the disorder worse. I tried to find information regarding children with bipolar in November, but could find very little. Then I found out about this book. I was very excited. This book is great! It provided very accurate information that described my son and let me know he wasn't the only one who had this. I also found the information regarding how to find a good doctor very helpful also. I feel based on that info. we have found a great doctor (after going through four). I know a couple of the reviews were negative; and I don't know if your child suffers from this disorder, but you really don't know what's it's like until you live with it. Thanks for reading.

Dr. Demitri Papolos and Janice Papolos (authors of Overcoming Depression) have given the equivalent of What to Expect When You Are Expecting for parents of children with a mood disorder. Written in language a frantically searching parent can understand, this concise and comprehensive guide captures both the emotional and clinical facets of this disorder. The organization of the work makes it well suited to thumb through and find information pertinent to a current situation. Divided into three distinct parts, it is a vital addition to a caregiver or professional's library. I will be keeping it as a reference, although it was also fairly easy to read cover to cover.

Beginning with stories of parents from the trenches, which give a perspective on the disorder, the first focus is on diagnosis and treatment. Following the stories are detailed descriptions of possible symptoms of Early Onset Bipolar Disorder. Wide arrays of treatments are also covered, including alternative therapies and possible benefits and drawbacks of treatment courses. In addition to an excerpt from Dr. Charles Poppers ADHD Vs Bipolar paper, I found one of the most useful references to be the comprehensive medication section. This section describes all medications that may be used to treat and the possible side effects, as well as a chart on drug interactions.

The second section focuses on the medical aspects of Bipolar. It explores different theories of the causes of the disorder and the genetics of it. This was actually the hardest section to read. It was quite technical, but well worth the time I put into it.

The third section is one of the best. It is about day to day life and coping. It has a model IEP. It talks about school, hospitalization, and the social aspects of Bipolar Disorder. I cried while reading the first chapter, "The Impact on the Family." I was moved by the similarity to my own life, and it explored areas I prefer to forget normally. It has an excellent chapter on adolescence, hospitalization and insurance as well.

This well-written book truly delivers on the subtitle: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood's Most Misunderstood Disorder. I felt like my life was bared on those pages, for the world to see, understand, and eventually accept. I give it 5 stars and will be buying copies for anyone that works closely with my child.

This book is a MUST for ANYONE raising a child who is explosive, inflexible, easily frustrated and difficult. Demitri and Janice Papolos have offered help and hope for any parent seeking answers to raising a child such as this.

From the day I read this book, I began to understand what was going on with my son and my journey began. Suddenly, the pieces to the puzzle fit and I had the road map I so desperately needed. Without sounding dramatic, but being completely honest, I COULD NOT have gone in the right direction medically without having the knowledge I received from this book. I know carry it with me when traveling with my children and use it as a guide when needed.

"The Bipolar Child" offers a symptoms checklist, medication information, school information, physiological info on this disorder, and more. I would highly recommend it to any parent, educator, or health care professional. Dr. Papolos treads and researches where many doctors avoid to go. Because of him and his wife, many will receive direction to get the help they so desperately need. My son is now stable and happy. Thank you to the Papoloses!

Thank you, Dr. and Mrs. Papolos, for helping to restore my sanity. Your book gives me the answers to all of my hundreds of questions and points me in the right direction in so many areas. My 16-year old son was diagnosed with early onset bipolar disorder a year before this book came out, and I had been close to "losing" it while trying to figure out how to manage my son's illness. There had been no place or person who could pull it all together for me. This book gives families of children with bipolar disorder the information they need to be in control and to understand what needs to be done in terms of available treatments, education, insurance, etc. I'm praying that health care providers will read this book too! Then, maybe thousands of other children won't have to suffer for 10 years (like my son did) before they're diagnosed and properly treated. One note to other readers: I discovered that an extremely valuable website referred to in the book for the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation has changed to Bpkids.org.

I see a significant number of children diagnosed with bipolar disorder for psychiatric re-evaluation. Many parents of these children quote "The Bipolar Child" and request I give their child a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. When re-evaluated, the vast majority of these children is not found to suffer from bipolar disorder, but from one or more of the following: poverty (commonly accompanied by poor nutrition, poor sleep, poor medical care, insecurity, inadequate bedding/shelter, neglect, distressed parents and single parents), addicted parents, autism spectrum disorders, language and communication disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, celiac disease, mental retardation, physical/sexual/emotional abuse, conduct disorder, bullying, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid disorders, sleep disorders, seizure disorders and problems from past head injuries.

Presently, published research into the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder in children is sparse, and experts disagree as to what the symptoms are. Some suggest many characteristics outlined in the Bipolar Child belong to a new diagnosis entirely.

Symptoms outlined in The Bipolar Child do not entirely agree with findings from existing studies of families in which the diagnosis has been firmly established. A notable example is a study of Amish children with bipolar parents (the Amish keep excellent records of their family trees). Researchers report adults who knew them well described children who appear to have inherited bipolar disorder as follows: stubborn, sensitive, determined, anxious, worried, distractible, excitable, low energy, hyper-alert; and having: school role impairment, mood changes, and health complaints.

Although important, inheritance does not fully explain how bipolar disorder occurs. For example, one study of identical twins found if one twin has bipolar disorder there is a 40% chance his or her identical sibling has it as well. Put another way, of 100 sets of identical twins with one bipolar sibling, 60 sets have one healthy sibling.

To date there is no proof children diagnosed with bipolar disorder grow up to be bipolar adults.

It would be wonderful if there was some way to be certain a child has bipolar disorder. No laboratory test and no imaging study can (yet?) prove it to us. Trained human professionals render their best judgment, most often based on the concerns of human parents. All do the best they can to sort out the child's problems, but parents are not always accurate, and neither are professionals.

I believe the The Bipolar Child is well intended; however, readers should know that characteristics described by The Bipolar Child apply broadly to any number of medical and psychiatric conditions. Intense focus on any one disorder distracts parents and professionals from considering plausible alternatives.

Finally, it is essential for anyone considering bipolar disorder in a child to know that the diagnosis of bipolar disorder can be as serious and lifelong as the disease itself. Drugs routinely used to treat bipolar disorder do not appear to be as effective in children as in adults, and have not been determined to be safe and effective in child populations. A diagnosis of bipolar disorder risks exposing children to drugs that threaten thyroid function, kidney function, blood composition, the body's ability to manage blood sugar, the brain and more. I have seen a number of children who became obese during treatment for bipolar disorder. Many have high blood pressure, and some show signs of Type II Diabetes, a serious, lifelong disease usually seen in adults. I encountered one child who suffered brain damage from a mood stabilizing drug made toxic by a rare, but undiagnosed, metabolic disorder. The list goes on.

My advice: If your child has emotional/behavior problems, consult your medical/mental health professional, and do not accept The Bipolar Child, my review, or any other source of information as your sole authority.

This book is so long over due. It should be required reading for all health care providers, social workers, psychiatrist, psychologists, counselors, educators, juvenile courts, and anyone else who remotely interacts with children.

I believe that if the above professionals read this book with an open mind, more children would get a better chance at success in life as opposed to life in prison.

It was so eerie yet comforting to hear my childhood nightmares in the pages of this book. I just assumed everyone dreamt in vivid color with graphic details of horror, blood, and died in their dreams as I have. The demonic dreams were especially disturbing to me and now I understand that I am not under attack by satan and that it is just another facet of the disorder I have.

I am now 35 years of age and still must have some type of light to sleep. This book helped me understand myself better as a child and will assist me in understanding my daughter (15), who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

It is so comforting to understand and be understood. It has allowed me to understand my mother, father, daughter, and self much better. Not only understand, but accept. This book has given me hope for the future stability of my family.

So often, psychiatrist and psychologists tell you what you have, but not what it means to have what you have. So many patients walk away not understanding the nature of the illnesses they live with daily.

I have lived with (bipolar I) my entire life and now, I finally know what it means. I finally know and understand the nature of my illness. This is just wonderful for me and my family.

Thank you soooo much Dr. Demitri and Janice Papolos!

There's no life "saver" for living with a bipolar child - the illness doesn't miraculously disappear with diagnosis - but this book is a "lifevest" to guide parents through the roiling and unfamiliar waters of a disease that is only now being acknowledged by doctors. Until the publication of "The Bipolar Child", there was no comprehensive literature available to parents to learn about this disorder. The Papolos' book is easy to read, crammed with useful information and perhaps most importantly, gives the reader a sense that he or she is not alone. I have recommended this book to many people whose children suffer from all sorts of problems, since the medical community has been slow to recognize bipolar disorder in young chiuldren. Several of those people have been amazed by how the stories of children in this book parallel their experiences, despite the fact that their childeren have been diagnozed otherwise. This book is not just a must for parents of bipolar children - it's a must for parents!

Reading this book was an overwhelming experience for me. The realization that my son had been misdiagnosed for years, because the medical profession rejected the idea that bi-polar illness could occur in children came as a huge relief. Due to the fact that our child had been misdiagnosed and given inappropriate treatment over the years, he had become more disturbed, and in fact had to be hospitalized at one point. Bi-polar disorder is hardly an illness one can welcome, but the truth is far easier to handle than explanations that only confuse, and wrong medication that, in our instance, was seriously destructive. We finally feel that we are on the right track, thanks to Janice and Demetri Papolos's book, and that there is reason to hope for our child's future. They have managed to combine detailed information and advice that one cannot find elsewhere, with a wonderful clarity of writing. If you know anyone who is trapped in the dilemma of uncertainty about ADD, HDD and the rest of that alphabet, this is an invaluable resource. If you are in that situation yourself, The Bipolar Child is a treasure beyond rubies